Bestwood Country Park
Nottingham's best Kept Secret
The sweeping panoramic view from Vincents View must be one of the best in Nottingham, taking in the Hucknall by - pass, the Rolls Royce Aerodrome, a glimpse of Wollaton Hall and stretching as far as the cooling towers of Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station (eleven miles to the South) and well beyond.
The seat here was installed in 2008 to commemorate the retirement of civil engineer David Vincent, who was responsible for a great deal of the restoration of this Bestwood Colliery Tip area.
The view is particularly spectacular on Bonfire Night - 5th November!!
This 650 acre Country Park, once part of Royal Sherwood Forest, is open 365 days a year.
It forms the northern boundary of Rise Park Estate, from which there is pedestrian access.
There are approximately 20 miles of well signed pathways, and horse trails. The park contains picnic areas, toilet block, campsite for organised groups and an environmental classroom.
It falls just outside the City Boundary and is owned jointly by Nottinghamshire County Council and Gedling Borough Council.
The Winding House Project
Work started in 2009 on a £2.5 million project to remove
the historic Winding Engine House of the former Bestwood Colliery from the English
Heritage "Buildings at Risk" register.
The building is grade-two listed and is all that is left of a pit that once employed 1,300 people before it closed in 1971.
It is hoped the final result will see the engine house available as a community space with meeting rooms - enabling the Park to expand its environmental education programmes.
More than £1 million for the project has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £290,000 has been provided by the Greater Nottinghamshire Partnership.
Above - The Bestwood Colliery Winding House and - left, the view towards the south with Ratcliffe Power Station cooling towers eleven miles in the distance
Toilets and Disabled Access
There is a toilet block at the Bestwood Lodge car park (sometimes shut due to vandalism) and also at the Woodlands Toilet Block - near to Alexandra Lodge
Disabled access - Many of the main trails can be accessed by wheelchair users with care and help from friends. Detailed advice is available by telephoning the Rangers office
Disabled toilet is available
Points of access
- Pedestrian access from Dunvegan Drive at top of Portree Drive - if parking on road please do not obstruct access to the houses
- From the steps on Little Oak Wood Drive, to follow the line of the old railway track
- Winding House Car Park in Bestwood Village
- Bestwood Lodge Drive (via Deer Park Drive) & using the official car park or the hotel park.
Important : Parking at Bestwood Lodge Hotel is officially for hotel users only and, on busy days, park visitors may be asked to move to make way for hotel guests
Useful Links
Events in the Park
The Park is managed by a team of Rangers, based at Alexandra Lodge, which is situated within the grounds.
There is a full programme of events throughout the year - from January through to
December, where you can learn about all aspects of the park, its' wildlife or conservation.
Learn
about wildflowers, identify trees, try your hand at charcoal burning. Or delve into
the secret world of Bats on one of the organised evening walks. Check parks own web
site or pick up a brochure at the local library for latest information. Events are
also well publicised in the Nottingham Evening Post.
Contact information
Brochures giving full details of the park, facilities and organised activities can be obtained from the local Library, the City information Publicity Centre or the Rangers Office within the park at Alexandra Lodge
Phone 9273 674 for details & booking of Park events.
Council cutbacks have seen a
reduction in wardens at the park and information is subject to change. An alternative
number for reporting any problems is 0844 9808 080
Please mention this Web Site if making contact as result of information shown here
Parking is free but please check the entry signs or visit the Parks web site for latest information in order to avoid being locked in !
It is believed that the car parks are normally open daily from 10am to 5pm March to October but closing at 4.30pm for the remaining winter months.
Bestwood Country Park (and the adjoining Mill Lakes) is claimed to be one of the top sites in the Midlands for birds, with 150 species listed.
There are over 200 different types of fungi here, and the sites' woods and grasslands shelter a rich flora.