• Site Facilities
• Site History
• Green Flag Award
• Events
• Educational & Activities
• Site Management
• Friends of Sandy Banks
• Map

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Set in a green valley, it is a wildlife haven that would at one time have formed part of Sherwood Forest. It is situated 4 miles north of Nottingham City Centre in the Bestwood area of the city.

The site covers 5.9 hectares and is one of the few remaining wild sites within the City boundary. The high valley sides provide an excellent viewing point looking south towards the city centre.

The underlying Sandstone and free draining sandy soils give rise to conditions known as Lowland Dry Acid Grassland; this is a nationally rare habitat important for many kinds of invertebrates including beetles and solitary bees and wasps. The exposed areas of Sandstone and bare ground provide some of these insects with suitable areas for basking and burrowing.

There are also plantation woodlands, stands of broom, bracken and areas of neutral grassland which although common habitats, add interest and structural diversity to the site. The woodland and scrub areas provide nesting and feeding sites for a wide range of birds, including Linnet, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat.

In recognition of these factors the site is designated a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and proposed as a Local Nature Reserve (due to be designated in 2009) and it was given the Green Flag Award in 2007 and 2008.

There are several points of access from the surrounding Bestwood Park housing estate that lead to a central pathway that runs north to south between Oxclose Lane and Beckhampton Road. The path is well lit and has benches located along its length.

Site Facilities

• Cycling
• Disability Access
• Dogs Welcome
• Events Programme
• On Street Parking
•  Accessible Public Transport
• Wildlife Areas

Site History

Originally this banked site was arable fields at the Southern edge of Sherwood Forest, and would have been included within the Royal Deer Park at Bestwood.

Maps from the 1870's indicate that the area of Sandy Banks would have been part of Sunrise Farm, which also includes the nearby Sunrise Hill Local Nature Reserve.

It was earmarked for the development of the City's ring road structure but due to the rare wildlife cohabiting on the site, Sandy Banks is now valued as green space.

Exposed sandstone has been a feature of the site for at least 20 years and is the reason the site got the name Sandy Banks. Other local names for the site are "The Hawthorns", also reflecting features of the area.

Green Flag Award

Sandy Banks natural site has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award for the third year running.  For more information on the Green Flag Award click here.

Events

Please click here for further information on forthcoming events at Sandy Banks.

Educational & Activities

With its rare habitat, Sandy Banks is an excellent educational tool for those interested in wildlife and nature.

The Park Rangers are able to lead educational sessions on the site.

Site Management

Sandbanks has a bright future, not only is it being put forward for the Green Flag Award Scheme, there are also proposals underway to designate this site as a Local Nature Reserve.

Future development works closely tie in with the aspirations of this site as a Local Nature Reserve so habitat improvement, maintenance and interpretation will be a key feature with volunteers and locals closely involved.

If you would like to comment on how well you feel your park or open space is being managed and maintained then please click here and record your opinion using GreenSTAT.

Friends of Sandy Banks

If you would like to have your say on the development of Sandy Banks, help with fundraising or just socialise with like minded people, why not join the 'Friends of Sandy Banks'? Please call 0115 915 2733 for further information.

Map

 Click here to download a Map of Sandy Banks [3Mb]

Sandy Banks
Beckhampton Road
Bestwood
Nottingham
NG5 5LF

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