Nottinghamshire offers a variety of highly rated parks and nature reserves, each providing unique outdoor experiences.
Visitors can explore expansive moorlands, serene woodlands, and scenic river valleys.
We’ve rounded up Nottinghamshire’s best parks and nature reserves based on ratings by trusted website All Trails.
These parks cater to diverse interests from challenging walks, beauty spots, woodland habitats, water activities and play equipment.
The natural beauty of these areas is complemented by rich wildlife, offering ample opportunities for birdwatching and photography.
Whether you're looking to immerse yourself in nature or enjoy a peaceful retreat, Nottinghamshire's parks provide the perfect setting.
AllTrails rates its "best" parks based on user reviews, trail ratings, and overall popularity. The platform aggregates individual trail ratings within a park to determine its overall ranking. Factors influencing these ratings include:
- User Reviews – Hikers rate trails on a five-star scale and leave feedback on their experiences.
- Trail Popularity – Parks with highly reviewed and frequently visited trails rank higher.
- Scenery & Features – Parks with diverse landscapes, viewpoints, and unique natural features tend to receive better ratings.
- Accessibility & Maintenance – Well-maintained and easily navigable parks score higher, especially those with clear signage and good paths.
- Activity Variety – Parks that offer multiple trail types (hiking, cycling, dog-friendly, wheelchair-accessible) appeal to a wider audience.
AllTrails continuously updates rankings based on new reviews and user activity, ensuring that the highest-rated parks reflect current visitor experiences.
Here’s the 18 of best-rated parks across Nottinghamshire:
1. Clumber Park
Take a pleasant walk around the lake and through the woodlands at Clumber Park on a circular 6 mile trail. It's an ideal outing on a spring day. Clumber Park has a 4.7 rating on Google reviews and 4.3 on All Trails. Photo: National Trust
2. Attenborough Nature Reserve
Attenborough Nature Reserve was established in 1966 and was opened by Sir David Attenborough. This much loved, nationally important site is best known for its birds with over 250 species recorded, but also provides a home for hundreds of species of plant and insects. It is cited as one of the best places in the UK to see kingfisher and is also home to rare wildlife including bitterns and otters. Rated as 4.2 on AllTrails Photo: Sophie Bell
3. Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve
Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve spans across 450 acres and was once a royal hunting forest. The reserve comprises areas of ancient native woodland, with slender birch trees growing alongside over a thousand veteran oaks, many of which are more than 500 years old. One of the most famous oaks is the Major Oak, which is believed to be 800 years old and was said to have been Robin Hood's hideout. In the summer of 2018, the RSPB opened a new visitor centre where visitors can learn about the history of the forest. Rated: 4.5 ratings of 5. Photo: Matthew Taylor
4. Colwick Country Park
The village of Colwick, just east of Nottingham, is perfect for those looking for somewhere with a chilled out vibe away from the city centre. With Colwick Country Park just a short walk from the village, it's easy to see why you'd want to move here! Rated: 4.5 on AllTrails. | Chris Morgan Photo: Chris Morgan