Nottinghamshire has always been a region of woodland and nature. In 1066, over a third of it was covered in forest and successive Norman kings used north Nottinghamshire as a royal hunting ground. Today, the county still enjoys this historical legacy, devoting thousands of acres to public leisure and enjoyment. Sherwood Pines Forest Park is a must for cyclists, Rufford for art lovers and Rushcliffe for younger visitors. So why not join the likes of Robin Hood, Richard III and William the Conqueror in exploring the area’s natural heritage?

1 RUSHCLIFFE COUNTRY PARK
A hidden treasure nestling behind a business park, Rushcliffe Country Park is an ex-Ministry of Defence ordnance and supply depot that has undergone a startling transformation. The man-made lake teems with wildlife, while the play park swarms with excited children. Walking and cycling paths criss-cross the park and a history trail compares its MOD heritage with its new-found beauty spot status. Next to the car park is the Heritage Centre, a daunting complex of buildings, buses, trains and eccentric older gentlemen. Younger visitors can take a break from the playground by riding the miniature train located at the back of the complex.

2 HOLME PIERREPONT COUNTRY PARK
The National Water Sports Centre is in a 270-acre country park containing a seasonal campsite, a variety of tourist-friendly cafés and several picnic areas. A must for the rowing fans is the 2000m Regatta Lake. It was here Steve Redgrave, quintuple Olympic gold medallist rower, trained. If you’re after white water action head down to the 700-metre slalom course where canoeists perform stunts for spectators. Passing yachts on the nearby waterway lend a more genteel charm. Holme Pierrepont is the ideal country park to visit if you are looking for excitement, either through watching or participating. Visitors wishing to windsurf, canoe, sail and so on are reminded that all water users must be able to swim 50 metres in light clothing. One great plus about the place is that it’s just on the edge of Nottingham. Why not head into the city centre for the morning and then spend a healthy afternoon in the country park 20 minutes down the road?

3 CLUMBER COUNTRY PARK
Clumber is one of Britain’s most visited country parks and has a spacious 4000 acres. Of particular interest to walkers are the paths that trail by the serpentine lake, through the 1000 acres of woodland, down lime tree avenues and across the 24-acre pleasure garden. Wildlife fanatics will also be pleased. The lake and its environs have played host to over 130 species of birds in recent years and there are over 20 types of butterflies to lend a dash of colour. If you really want to get away from it all, bikes are a good way to reach the margins of the park. If history is your passion, there is a plentiful supply of information about the park and Clumber House, which was sadly demolished in 1938. Equally, the Gothic chapel is a historical gem: perhaps one of its more unusual contents is a set of 1890 line drawings in the style of Albrecht Dürer.

4 RUFFORD COUNTRY PARK
Rufford is a must for nature lovers with a hankering for art and literature. Rufford Country House is the model for Wragby Hall in DH Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Bring a copy along and try to spot the references. The house is built from one wing of a 12th-century Cistercian monastery. Be sure to visit the Cistercian exhibition in the vaunted stone undercroft of the monastery if you are at all curious about monastic life. Head out to the formal gardens for an aesthetic treat in the shape of smiling stone men and massive sculptured mushrooms. The most famous sculpture is Ewe and Man on a Park Bench, which is the essence of companionability. For an olfactory treat try the herb garden, which contains over 30 varieties of plants. If the weather proves inclement, there is an indoor gallery, craft shop and ceramic centre. The latter contains a wide variety of beautiful objects, including a selection of cups (which are also for sale).

5 SHERWOOD PINES COUNTRY PARK
This is haven for cyclists, with routes suitable for enthusiastic amateurs and expert mountain bikers. There is a cycle hire shop on site. Walkers will also enjoy the park. There are trails that have been especially designed to be suitable for all abilities and mobilities. The children’s playground is charming and complete with interactive animal sculptures. The crocodile seemed to be a favourite. A more modern addition to the park has been the ‘Go Ape’ aerial assault course. It’s pricey, but younger visitors will be hooked. To find out prices and details please look at www.goape.cc.

6 BESTWOOD COUNTRY PARK
Once part of the Royal Sherwood Forest, Bestwood Country Park was acquired by Charles II’s mistress, Nell Gwynne, in 1687. It then became the country seat of the Dukes of Albans, the descendants of Nell and Charles II. Today, it encompasses 650 acres of a wide variety of sustainable habitats, and is a treat for bird lovers and funghi connoisseurs. There are still vestiges of the park’s former life: formal gardens and an arboretum provide an ordered nature, while the house has been transformed into the Bestwood Hotel. The park hasn’t always been a natural country retreat. Bestwood colliery, based in the park grounds, was one of the largest in the county and its winding house stills stands to this day. Bestwood lies on the outskirts of Nottingham and is a handy ‘green oasis’ among the city’s bustling attractions.