Bestwood Country Park.

Arnold, Nottingham.
Tel: 0115 9273674

Partial

Opening hours: Dawn to dusk.
Admission: Free.

Back in medieval times, what we now know as Bestwood Country Park formed part of Sherwood Forest - a royal hunting preserve covering a fifth of the county.

Visitors are surprised to discover that it was never the vast tract of dense woodland as pictured in Robin Hood movies. In fact much of Sherwood "Forest" was really a sandy heath with open clearings where deer and livestock grazed.

In modern times the county's native heath-land is more under threat than the South American rainforest.
Watching television programmes about the dwindling rainforest its easy to think that this only happens in far away places. In a hundred small ways we can all help to preserve the natural habitat of the world.

Bestwood Country Park is a living example of conservation work, right on our own doorstep. Part of the site was once scarred by industry. The Winding Engine House stands as a reminder of when coal was king and Bestwood was one of the county's busiest collieries. Now, wildflowers cover what was once the colliery spoil heap and skylarks sing in the sky above.

A reclaimed colliery spoil heap has been converted into a beautiful lake, attracting waterbirds in their thousands. Some of the ancient heathland has been created in parts of the park by park rangers and volunteers. This has attracted colourful butterflies who flit over the heather and gorse on fine summer afternoons.

Come and join one of the many guided walks, courses or family activities, or roll up your sleeves and help with one of the conservation weekends. You can make a difference.

The park is run jointly by Nottinghamshire County Council and Gedling Borough Council.