This article provides details of the RGS Nottingham Parks Autumn Amble I led on 15th October 2022 visiting four parks: Lenton Priory Park, Wollaton Park, University Park and Highfields Park along with some other features seen on this walk. The meeting point was Clifton South Tram Stop to make use of the tram system. There is a tram change at Nottingham Station Tram Stop to catch the Toton Lane Tram.
Lenton Priory Park
Alighting from Gregory St. tram stop the first park visited on this walk is Lenton Priory Park which was the site of Lenton Priory. Lenton Priory was, without doubt, the most powerful monastery in Nottinghamshire, not just in terms of the size of the building itself (similar to the minster building still visible in Southwell) but with many holdings across several counties. It was founded by William Peveril, constable of Nottingham Castle in around 1108 during the reign of Henry I, and dedicated to the abbey of Cluny in France. It was a huge endowment, including the town of Lenton and other local smallholdings, 7 mills, 3 churches, with tithes from woods and fisheries, and from stud farms, lead and venison in Derbyshire where Peveril also held land. It was fortuitously situated on the River Leen, allowing it to control key trade and river crossings close to Nottingham. The monks played a significant role in the development of post-Conquest Nottingham and in the political life surrounding the castle. After passing Lenton Priory Park the route goes down Leen Gate then follows part of the River Leen which at this section is a canal to merge with Hill Side to hit Derby Road, one of the main road arteries in Nottingham. Crossing the road by the PELICAN crossing the imposing building of Lenton Lodge is directly ahead. This was originally the Wollaton Park Gatehouse and passing this building the route heads to Middleton Boulevard and crossing this road by the PELICAN the route enters Wollaton Park.
Wollaton Park
After entering the park the walk goes along Lime Tree Avenue and atop a small hill is situated the magnificent Wollaton Hall, a stunning Grade I listed Elizabethan mansion. Wollaton Park dates from the fourteenth century and has a range of habitats, including grassland, wetland and woodland. Roaming the 500 acres of parkland are over 90 red and 120 fallow deer. These wild deer are incredible to see, though during the rutting season (September and October), stags are protective of hinds, and during calving season (June and July) deer tend to their young, so need to maintain a safe distance at all times. After gaining the top of the hill the route goes into Wollaton Hall’s Formal Gardens which include several statues, a Doric temple and the Camellia House. The Camellia House is the oldest cast-iron-framed glass house in Europe, from 1823, and is the only remaining one of its kind in this country. The Camellia House is open most days to relax in, with spectacular views over the Park and Lake, and the camellia flowers usually bloom between autumn to late spring. Exiting the gardens via a tunnel there are toilets and refreshments available at the Stable block directly opposite. Regaining the route the walk heads down hill to The Lake and exits the park via Beeston Lodge, a Grade II listed building.
University Park
Crossing Derby Road by the PELICAN crossing the route enters University Park which is The University of Nottingham’s largest campus at 300 acres and is conveniently located only two miles from the city centre. This has been part of the University since 1929 and the campus is widely regarded as one of the largest and most attractive in the country. Set in extensive greenery and around a lake, University Park is the focus of life for students, staff and visitors. The route threads its way through the campus to emerge by the lake in Highfields Park.
Highfields Park
Arriving at the lake a bridge is crossed to gain access to the southern path pausing to take in the view of The University of Nottingham’s Trent Building. This magnificent Grade II listed building was built in 1928. The core of the existing Highfields Park originates from the landscaping carried out by Joseph Lowe and his son Alfred in the late 18th and early 19th century. The comprehensive plan, largely funded by Sir Jesse Boot, for the University Campus included a new road system and parkland setting to the south adding to the landscaping already created by Joseph and Alfred Lowe. A major element of the park design was the extension of the original ‘fish pond’ to form the existing Boating Lake, completed by Nottingham engineer WH Radford. The area around the original rock outcrop was left virtually untouched along with most of the pond, apart from the construction of some stone retaining walls around the water’s edge. Tottle Brook was diverted to by-pass the Boating Lake and leave the Park via a culvert under the Boulevard.
Before exiting Highfields Park to head for the University of Nottingham tram stop you can avail yourself of the refreshments available from the cafe by the lake. The distance walked was 4.14 miles.
References
Lenton Priory https://www.medievalists.net/2021/03/lenton-priory/
Lenton Lodge https://www.lentontimes.co.uk/streets/lenton_lodge.htm
Wollaton Park https://wollatonhall.org.uk/deer-park-and-gardens/
University Park https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/about/campuses/universityparkcampus.aspx
Highfields Park https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/highfieldspark
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