It offers picturesque walks, boating, golf, exhibitions and a choice of cafes

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06:00, 18 APR 2026

Updated13:15, 20 APR 2026

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Every Nottinghamshire park has its highlights. Wollaton is home to the grand Elizabethan hall and a herd of majestic deer, Clumber is brilliant for cycling and Rufford boasts abbey ruins and a sculpture park.

One park that has changed over the decades is Highfields. It used to have a lido up until 1980 when Nottingham City Council decided to close the facility.

Gifted to the city by Sir Jesse Boot in the 1920s, it was one of the largest outdoor pools in the country, measuring 330 feet long by 75 feet wide.

Sadly, it closed down before I arrived in Nottingham, so I never got to enjoy any open-air swimming there. However, Highfields Park has firmly become one of my favourite spots, whether the sun is beaming, the trees are aglow with red and gold in autumn or if there’s snow on the ground.

There are stacks of attractions for all ages, and it makes a fun family day out. The only downside on busy days is the parking if travelling by car, but the park is easily accessible by both bus and tram to University Boulevard.

The 121-acre site boasts a sprawling lawn in front of Lakeside Arts’ DH Lawrence Pavilion and a playground where youngsters can climb up a pyramid frame or play in the sand pit.

Visitors can play an 18-hole adventure golf course, but we tried foot golf for the first time, kicking footballs into extra-large holes on an adjacent course. I discovered a hidden talent, almost getting a hole-in-one.

When the sun’s out, there’s no better place to while away an hour than on the picturesque lake. Rowing boats and canoes can be hired — it just depends if you want to exert yourself or sit back (yes please) and let someone else do the work.

You can even take dogs on the lake, although I get the feeling some excitable pooches might attempt to jump overboard for a splash in the water, especially if they spot the ducks and Canada geese.

Neither activity is ridiculously expensive, which is a bonus. It’s £7 per person on the boats and £4.50 for foot golf, while mini golf is £6.50 for kids, adults £9.50 and a family of four £27.

Culture vultures are currently heading to Lakeside Arts for the last few days of the Andy Warhol exhibition, which draws to a close on April 19.

Famous for his colourful prints of Campbell’s soup and Marilyn Monroe, there are three galleries worth of images from rarely-seen early drawings to the lesser-known stitched photographs, which were the focus of his last exhibition before his death.

A leisurely activity, that doesn’t cost a penny, is a stroll around the lake, where you’ll find a mini waterfall and stepping stones at the far end. The Grade II-listed park is home to mature trees and historic features such as a Permo-Triassic sandstone outcrop that’s millions of years old.

The boundary of Highfields blends into the wider 300-acre University Park — the home of the University of Nottingham — which is worthy of a wander as long as you don’t mind the steeper inclines.

In the midst of the academic buildings, the park’s natural beauty is a sight to see, no matter what time of year you visit.

At the moment, the pink cherry blossom is in full bloom and spring bulbs provide a splash of colour. During our ramble, we saw squirrels galore scurrying up tree trunks and cute bob-tailed rabbits emerging from the undergrowth.

The majority of students were still on holiday when we visited last week, so it was a tranquil escape. No matter how many times we explore we seem to unearth something we’ve never seen before.

This time, we stumbled across a walled garden, with tall iron wrought gates at the entrance — it’s been there since 1797, so there’s no excuse really for not finding it before.

There was a lonesome student reading a book in the calm oasis with a manicured lawn, borders of shrubs and an ornamental well. This must be the most desirable spot to revise for exams on campus.

We also discovered the Millennium Garden, which boasts a small pool, neatly trimmed hedges, tulips and a circle of conical bushes. Just in the distance, there’s an insect hotel near a woodland of towering trees, which turns out to be a memorial walk, dedicated to staff and students who have lost their lives. The atmosphere is quiet and reflective away from the hubbub.

When you start to get a bit peckish, Highfields Park is an ideal picnic spot, or the Djanogly Gallery cafe and DH Lawrence Pavilion cafe both serve coffee, cakes and sandwiches.

I can recommend the veggie samosa and flat white coffee. Together with a cheese straw and a can of Diet Coke, the bill came to £14.

I’m not alone in appreciating the park, as many have heaped praise on it in five-star Google reviews. One woman said: “We absolutely love Highfields Park — it’s one of our favourite places to spend time.

“Great for meeting friends or just enjoying a relaxed day out with family. There’s a lovely play area for kids, and the cafe is perfect for a quick coffee. The park itself is well kept, spacious and just has a really calm, pleasant atmosphere. We always have a great time here.”

Another person wrote: “I’m well impressed by the area and boating lake. It’s only a short walk around the lake, a casual thirty minutes stroll. There’s lots of wildlife, especially around the lake. I loved the stepping stones area. Very enjoyable two to three hours. Thinking of my next visit already.”

Check out the gallery below for a look around Highfields Park:

Adventure golf and the foot golf 1 of 10ShareComments

Adventure golf and the foot golf

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A leisurely row on the lake 2 of 10ShareComments

A leisurely row on the lake

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The picturesque boating lake 3 of 10ShareComments

The picturesque boating lake

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The stepping stones at the end of the lake 4 of 10ShareComments

The stepping stones at the end of the lake

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And a waterfall (Image: Michelle Bowler)5 of 10ShareComments

And a waterfall

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The memorial woodland walk in University Park and one of the insect hotels on the left 6 of 10ShareComments

The memorial woodland walk in University Park and one of the insect hotels on the left

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A view of the gardens7 of 10ShareComments

A view of the gardens

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Cherry blossom in full bloom 8 of 10ShareComments

Cherry blossom in full bloom

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Snacks in the Lakeside 9 of 10ShareComments

Snacks in the Lakeside

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One of the images on display at Andy Warhol: Pop Icon10 of 10ShareComments

One of the images on display at Andy Warhol: Pop Icon

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