Colwick Country Park
🏟 Playground & park · Colwick, Nottingham
Colwick Country Park
A 250-acre country park of lakes and woodland by the River Trent, with a children's play area and water sports.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Country park accessible daily; water sports and some activities are seasonal or bookable · Free · No booking needed
About Colwick Country Park
Colwick Country Park is a 250-acre country park on the eastern edge of Nottingham, set between the River Trent and Colwick Woods and managed by Nottingham City Council. Although the estate's history stretches back to 1362, the country park itself opened in 1978, created from former gravel workings and now a patchwork of two large lakes, woodland, grassland and riverside. It is free to visit and hugely popular with walkers, cyclists, anglers and dog walkers. Families with young children head for the play area, which was built using recycled materials and is aimed at toddlers up to around ten years old. The park is a hub for water sports: the Main Lake and smaller West Lake host an open water swimming centre, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and power boating, while the River Trent marina offers moorings and there is extensive coarse fishing. Nottingham's largest fish ladder helps migratory fish pass along the river here. With ranger-led activities, a weekly parkrun and plenty of open space, Colwick Country Park suits an active family day out close to the city.
⭐ What makes this place special
- Main Lake and West Lake
- Open water swimming centre
- Sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and power boating
- Fishing and a River Trent marina
- Woodland and lakeside walks
- Weekly parkrun
🏞 Facilities
- Free entry
- Parking: Car parking available at the country park
- Dogs: Dog walking is popular throughout the park
🧒 Ages & play
- Ages: Toddlers to around 10 years
- Children's play area (built with recycled materials, suited to toddlers up to around 10 years)
📍 Nearby places to play
- Victoria Park · approx 1.9 miles · City Centre
- Sycamore Recreation Ground · approx 2.3 miles · St Ann's
- Forest Recreation Ground · approx 2.8 miles · Forest Fields
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❓ Frequently asked questions
Is Colwick Country Park free?
Yes. Colwick Country Park is a free country park managed by Nottingham City Council. Some activities such as water sports and fishing are bookable or charged separately.
What's in the playground?
There is a children's play area built with recycled materials, suited to toddlers up to around ten years old.
Are there toilets and a cafe?
Toilet and cafe provision is not confirmed in our sources. The park is a large country park with activity centres, so facilities may vary by area.
Where is Colwick Country Park?
It is at Colwick, on the eastern edge of Nottingham beside the River Trent, postcode area NG2.
Is the play area good for toddlers?
Yes. The play area is aimed at children between toddler age and around ten years old, and there is car parking at the country park.