Explore the park

With its rolling hills, lakes, ponds and woodlands old and new, Cotgrave Country Park is a great place to visit, explore and enjoy. It has developed around the Cotgrave Colliery that closed in the 1990s. The park is owned and managed by Nottinghamshire County Council.

Old railway lines are still visible, and the Grantham canal, still in water, winds through the park with working locks. The imposing Heron Lake is used by a local angling club who work hard to protect and increase the variety of wildlife including wildfowl of many species. Foxes, deer, rabbits and other notable animals are in residence here. There are many interesting walks with panoramic views over Nottinghamshire as they climb the hills, and the park is now linked to Radcliffe and Holme Pierrepont via a Multi-user-Route (MUR) utilising the disused rail link for the pit. Several miles of well-surfaced tracks are enjoyed by walkers, cyclist and equestrians alike, and a dedicated dog pool is provided for the many dogs that enjoy the park.

Points of entry

There are several entry points to the park, all shown on the park map:

• It’s only a short walk to the park from the centre of Cotgrave, via either Mill Lane or East Acres, both arriving in Bluebell Spinney. Cotgrave is easily reached by the Trent Barton or Nottsbus ECOconnect 33 bus services.
• Walkers and cyclists can also access the park via the Grantham Canal, either from the west on Main Road, or from the east on Hollygate Lane.
• If approaching from Radcliffe On Trent, the disused rail line has now been converted into a Multi-user-Route, providing traffic-free access for walkers and cyclists.
• Motorists can use the car park on Hollygate Lane.

Places of interest

The best way to experience the park is to explore it yourself, but here are some highlights to look out for:

• There are many miles of well-surfaced paths, suitable for all weathers, including four waymarked routes of varying length and difficulty.
• Several points in the park offer excellent views over surrounding areas of Nottinghamshire, in particular the West Viewpoint and the top of Colliers Mount. Both have benches to sit and savour a few quiet moments.
• Heron Lake is the largest of the lakes and ponds, and sits in the middle of the park. As you explore, look out for the smaller Dragonfly Lake, and Leaky Hollow and Kingfisher ponds elsewhere in the park.
• The park boasts a variety of other habitats, including older woodland in Bluebell Spinney and alongside The Rill (the small stream beside the canal), along with more recently-planted woods spread throughout the park. There are plenty of meadow areas and some scrubland. Additionally, the canal is a magnet for wildfowl.
• Notice boards can be found at the car park on Hollygate Lane, at the end of the Multi-user-Route near the north-west corner of Heron Lake, and at the park entrance in Bluebell Spinney. They are a great way to keep up-to-date with events and news from the park.
• Benches can be found in many spots throughout the park. The gold-coloured bench along the High Trail is our “happy to chat” bench - a place to sit and strike up a conversation with a stranger.

Facilities

We encourage everyone to travel to the park by foot, bike or public transport where possible, but a free car park is available for motorists on Hollygate Lane (the car park has a height barrier).

There are no toilet facilities in Cotgrave Country Park. There are also no general waste bins in the park; please take away everything you bring to help keep the park tidy and litter-free.

Dog walkers are welcome in the park, and dog waste bins are provided at several points around the park; please ensure you clean up after your dog and use the bins provided. There is also a dedicated Dog Pool near the car park on Hollygate Lane.

Our friends Ginger and Blue Coffee can often be found in the park, providing light refreshments. Or why not walk into Cotgrave and enjoy one of the cafes or pubs on offer!