Pilkington’s Paddock is a grassy/marshy open space located in the northwest corner of Wollaton Park. The paddock contains one of three natural springs in the park, supplying water to the lake.
The paddock is a conservation area and is closed to the public, but can be viewed from behind the fence.
Snipe and other wading birds have been seen feeding in the early mornings. It is probably the only place in the city where the Brown Sedge (a type of marsh grass) grows.
Why is it called Pilkington’s Paddock?
The area was fenced off as a grazing area in 1912 by the Park Steward, Mr. Pilkington.
A group from Wollaton Historical and Conservation Society found the obituary of a Mr Pilkington (Nottingham Evening Post, 6 January 1932), referring to him as an “agent to the late Lord Middleton’s Wollaton Park estate. In addition, the publication “Wollaton Remembered” recollects memories from “Mr Pilkington the estate steward”.