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. There are approximately 20 miles of well signed
pathways, and horse trails. The park contains picnic areas, two toilet blocks,
campsite for organised groups and an environmental classroom.
There are two Free
Car Parks. No crowds, just peace and
quiet.
The sweeping panoramic view from the hilltop
at Vincents View must be one of
the best views 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. This seating 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!!
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Click for map |
The park, once part of Royal Sherwood Forest, is open
365 days a year but gates to the car parks are not open on a 24 hour basis. See
General information below or check the parks own web site for up to date
information.
There is no admission charge and car parking is also free.
It falls just outside the City Boundary and
is owned jointly by Notts. County Council and Gedling Borough
Council. The Park is managed by a team of Country Park 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.
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Work
will start in January 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 project will be completed in a year
and the final result will see the engine house available as a community
space with meeting rooms - enabling the Park to expand its environmental
education provision to bring in Victorian history.
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
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Brochures giving full details of the park, facilities and organised
activities can be obtained from the local Public Library, the City
information Centre or the Rangers Office
within the park at Alexandra Lodge -
Phone 9273 674 for details
& booking of Park events.
Please mention this Web
Site if making contact as
result of information shown here |
| General Information :- |
The
car parks are normally open daily from 10am to 5pm March to October but
closing at 4.30pm for the remaining winter months. Please check the
Parks website for latest information. |
| Telephone - Rangers Office
(0115) 927 3674 |
e mail : http://bestwood.country.park@nottscc.gov.uk |
| Free parking - main parks car
parks are :- |
 | Winding House Car Park in Bestwood Village |
| Bestwood Lodge Drive (via Deer Park Drive) |
| Pedestrian access from Dunvegan Drive near top of
Portree Drive - if parking on road please do not obstruct access to
the houses |
| 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 |
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| Toilets
- there is a toilet block at the Bestwood Lodge car park and also at the
Woodlands Toilet Block - near to Alexandra Lodge
(but these do unfortunately suffer from occasional bouts of vandalism at
which times they may be temporarily unavailable) |
Disabled access -
Most 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
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| Link
to Parks own web page
Link to Nottingham Birdwatchers website
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Link
to Friends of Bestwood Country Park - a site where you can join in the
discussion forums -
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Bestwood
Country Park page
www.nottmbirds.org.uk
Friends of Bestwood Country Park
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| The un imposing entrance from
Dunvegan Drive |
The panoramic view from the
top is worth while |
A grass fire rages - July 2006 |
Apparent devastation - but
nature soon recovers |
Entrance to Khalsa Wood -an
area for contemplation |
Riders enjoy spring sunshine in
the park |
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| Tesco with Ratcliff Power
Station 11 miles beyond |
Archway to Khalsa Wood - a place
for meditation |
Farm meadow within the park |
Alexandra Lodge |
Autumn leaves in Bestwood Lodge
Gardens |
A walk in the Lodge gardens |
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| Take a 10 minute stroll for this
view
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Carpet of leaves in the gardens |
A ride in the autumn sunshine |
Garden terrace of Bestwood Lodge
Hotel |
Lower car park from Bestwood
Park Drive |
Entrance to gardens from
Bestwood Park Drive |
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| New seat 2008. Vincents view |
Vincents View. See above for
more information |
Riding school horses graze in
the adjacent fields |
Protected against the cool winds
of Autumn |
Get close to the cattle on Cow
Gate Hill |
New wildlife pond - not yet
established Nov 2008 |
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| Winding engine house in Dec 2008 |
Winding engine house awaiting
restoration |
Fire threatens the woodland
March 2009 |
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