Visit Clumber Park, Nottingham – A Fine Day Out!

A DAY TRIP TO NATIONAL TRUST CLUMBER PARK NOTTINGHAM

The Lime Tree entrance at Clumber Park Nottinghamshire
Lime Tree Avenue (via Wikimedia Commons. Author: Paul)

Visiting Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire

A tunnel of lofty Lime trees greet you as soldiers, and like a Lilliputian under the belly of a centipede, we drove beneath the giant green canopy towards Clumber Park in Nottingham. The Clumber Park National Trust estate was once owned by the Dukes of Newcastle (think Civil War not Geordie Shore). It was once a part of Nottinghamshire’s famous Sherwood Forest until 1709 when they enclosed the estate and it was used as a private hunting ground for Queen Ann.

It covers a vast 3,800 acres and you’d struggle to cover it all in a week, let alone in a day. But, a day was all we had, so with toothpaste on our chins and socks on inside out we arrived good and early to fit as much in as we could.

Clumber Park Bike Hire

One great way to cover ground in this vast place is to choose Clumber Park Bike Hire if bringing your own isn’t an option (from £5.30 for 2 hours).

cycle hire with National trust at clumber park nottinghamshire

There are several Clumber Park cycle routes, through woodland, heathland and lakeside, (You can see the National Trust Clumber Park map here) but we chose the shortest (5 miles) which takes you around the serpentine lake and through the picturesque Victorian Hardwick Village, where once upon a time a life was carved for the estates’ employees. It gives you a glimpse into how large this residence must have been to warrant such a payroll. Unfortunately, today, the house no longer stands, but as you finish your 5 miles of pedaling you will approach the front of the estate from the other side of the river and see the old buildings which are still intact, including the old Gothic church and the stables.

If you’re going to pick the prettiest spot for your picnic then here you can rest in the shade of big trees by the river. The National Trust adventure playground is just through the courtyard if the kids have finished eating but you’re still nursing your cucumber sandwich.

lake view at Clumber park Nottingham
park fun at clumber park nottingham

Lunch At The Clumber Park Cafe, The Garden Tea House

Some lovely friends treated us to lunch at The Garden Tea House, just behind the Walled Kitchen Garden – no squashed sarnies and fridge-scrapings for us that day! We all ate well on a feast of Hoagies and Platters, washed down with tea and cake.

The Clumber Park cafe is a 19th-century beauty, set in the head gardener’s house – probably his living room. Apparently, the Newcastle’s were struggling to find a man to take on the massive responsibility of the role so they built this house and advertised that it came with the post – quite an extra for just a servant. And, if you take a circular walk around the building you’ll notice it doesn’t have a proper front door, just a bog-standard door resembling the back entrance of a normal Victorian house – after all, it wouldn’t do for a domestic to get above his station and entertain impure thoughts of entering your own house via a proper entreé! 

gardeners house at clumber park nottingham

There are plenty of seats outside too in the well-kept cottage-garden if the weather is on your side.

cafe garden at clumber park nottingham

The National Trust Clumber Park Walled Kitchen Garden

We were privileged enough to have the company of Sarah Elton (a National Trust Gardener) as we took a tour of the Glass House and Garden at Clumber Park, and she showered us with interesting facts and figures about how the 4-acre garden and glasshouse would have supplied the Newcastle’s residence and hosts back in its heyday.

I love hearing trivia about the Victorians, they fascinate me. Like the fact that Tortoise Soup was regularly on the menu. Or that a lot of people only ever had their photo taken once in their life and it was often with a dead relative propped up by their side – a kind of keepsake to remember them by (albeit a bit of a tasteless one, seeing as they’d have had to dress them as stiffs and sew open their eyelids).

Anyway, none of Sarah’s facts were so gross. In fact, she inspired awe in the Victorians and their gardening/landscaping skills. Carefully designed to make the most of heat and wind flow, and plants grown not just for aesthetics but for efficiency and productiveness too. They were clever folk and Sarah kept us entertained with her vast knowledge. One mad detail we were told was that one of the Duchesses demanded a new carnation for her lapel every day and it was somebody’s crazy job to get that carnation to her where ever she may be in the country! 

clumber park nottinghamshire National trust
Not sure which one is the corpse!? Dead funny!
Rhubarb phone at National Trust's Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire

Clumber Park is home to the largest glasshouse (450 ft) owned by the National Trust and also the largest rhubarb collection in the country – no mean feat with over 130 varieties. Actually, so much rhubarb they even made a Rhubarb Telephone…

And a phone made from an apple too (original iPhone maybe?)! This little corner of Clumber Park offers plenty to see and do for all ages and was probably the highlight of our lovely day, so if you’re off to Clumber Park soon do not overlook the glasshouse and garden. Also, over the next few months, the National Trust are putting on various activities for their Summer Of Sport, including archery, badminton, volleyball and lots of other games on their front field. And, in usual NT style, there are treasure hunts and quiz’s aplenty. So much to keep the kids busy and wear them out in the process!

Victorian glasshouse at clumber park nottinghamshire, National Trust

More Clumber Park Info

  • Parking; Clumber park is also a camping area so is therefore open around the clock but the car park is open 9-5pm daily
  • How much does it cost to get into Clumber Park? Adult; £4 Child; £2 One adult & up to 3 children; £6 (However, you can walk in for free as the park is crisscrossed with public footpaths)
  • How to get to Clumber Park… The National Trust website gives information on how to access the park via bus, train and road.
  • For the best deals at the Clumber Park Hotel & Spa click here.

So, if you’re in Nottinghamshire any time soon then National Trust Clumber Park is one not to miss. It’s one of several beautiful Trust properties in the area and the city of Nottingham is just on your doorstep which also presents so many ideas for families too. Alternatively, there are a handful of other beautiful parks in Nottingham nearer the city centre if you prefer to keep it a bit more serene.

Have you been to Clumber Park, Nottingham? Or is it on your National Trust to-do list? Do you have any crazy Victorian facts? Pray tell, drop me a message below. If you like reading about our family frolics in and around Nottinghamshire, and the rest of the world too then be sure to subscribe to my blog for all the latest posts direct to your inbox. Thanks for stopping by!

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Visiting Clumber Park in Nottingham. A brilliant Uk day trip in the East Midlands. #Nottingham #UK

7 Comments Add yours

  1. What a fantastic day out – and I love the weird facts. I can’t decide if it’s madder to have your photo with a corpse, forbid front doors or have a carnation obsession! Thanks for linking up with #citytripping and making me ponder it though!

  2. What a fantastic day out – and I love the weird facts. I can’t decide if it’s madder to have your photo with a corpse, forbid front doors or have a carnation obsession! Thanks for linking up with #citytripping and making me wonder though!

    1. Alex says:

      I know, those crazy Victorians! 😉

  3. My goodness, I’m still processing the corpse photos! The Victorians ARE fascinating. This looks like a lovely day out. Great pictures with the family. Great to have Sarah on hand too to add some colour to the day! #citytripping

  4. Ahila says:

    The lime tree avenue looks amazing. Enjoyed reading about your fun-filled day. #CityTripping

  5. Jane Taylor says:

    I love your take on the wonderful day we had! Glad we didn’t see any old biddies propped up in the glass house! Fabulous!

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