Wollaton Park Lake

The 25-acre lake was originally created in the late 18th century as part of the landscaping of the Wollaton Park estate. The lake was formed by damming a small stream that ran through the park, creating a picturesque body of water that became a focal point of the park’s landscape.

A map of 1886 reveals the lake planted with trees and shrubs, including Conifers, Pines, Yews and Rhododendrons. Their dark colours chosen to maximise reflections in the lake. The Yews have largely died off replaced by Sycamores and self-set Alders.

Boat House

Is it a Boat House?

The English Heritage Grade 2 listing cites it as a Boat House but also describes it as a Sham Bridge, built around 1780.

However, there are suggestions that this is incorrect, as it is on the wrong side of the lake for a Boat House. Why walk around the lake to get to your boat? Why would it be on view, and not hidden away?

If you stand on the roof of the Hall it looks like a bridge and the lake looks like a river. It is a clever use of perspective, enhanced by the island, also created around 1780, which creates the illusion of a much larger stretch of river. So there is a suggestion that it is a Folly Bridge to impress visitors to the Hall and not a Boat House.

The water level used to be higher, and water used to run into the arches. During the 1970’s the water level was lowered to reduce the risk of flooding behind the lake.

Other suggestions are it was designed as a viewing platform for views across the lake towards the Hall.

Boat House – 1983.

Reed Bed

Located on the north side of the lake, the reed bed is a wetland area that is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species. It serves an important ecological function by providing habitat for a range of species, including warblers and dragonflies. The reeds themselves provide a food source for a variety of insects and other invertebrates, which in turn support a diverse range of birds and mammals.

The reed bed is dominated by Common Reed (Phragmites Australis), which can grow up to three metres in height. The reeds form dense stands that provide cover and shelter for a variety of wildlife, including birds, insects, and small mammals.

Another important feature of the reed bed is it forms part of the park’s water management system. The dense stands of reeds help to filter the water, removing excess nutrients and pollutants and improving the water quality. The reed bed also helps to stabilise the shoreline, reducing erosion and protecting the lake’s ecosystem.

Lake History

The lake subsided due to mining subsidence in around 1965.  The 1975 Reservoirs Act led to an inspection which brought to light this issue and the leak in the dam core. The Coal Board accepted responsibility and made funding available to Nottingham City Council to dredge the lake to its original bed levels and reconstruct the dam.

Dam Reconstruction

Reconstruction of the dam ocurred between 1983 and 1985, and consisted of: 

• Constructing a haul road into the lake to get machinery in / out. This was left in the lake as a silt trap by the water inlet from the Cattle Pond. The road was visible in the dry summer of 2022 (See photo).
• Diverting the flow from Martins Pond to Harrison’s plantation instead of to the lake to prevent the lake from filling up while work was carried out;
• Dredging the lake;
• Reconstructing the dam;
• Reconstructing the outlet to avoid the dam overtopping in severe storm conditions.

The photos below are from 1983 prior to the works being undertaken.

Rock Gabions

The rock-filled gabions and concrete shelves now seen along the dam wall were installed in 2005, following a dam inspection, to dissipate wave action which could erode the dam.

Fish

A survey from 2002 identified Rudd, Bream, Tench Carp and Pike in the lake. These died in 2005 due to low oxygen levels.

Today, there are a few Perch and Pike in the lake, heavily fished by the Herons and Cormorants.

FISHING IS NOT PERMITTED to preserve fish stocks for the wildlife.