The Arboretum was opened on the 11th May 1852 by the Mayor, Mr W Felkin and the Sheriff of the Borough, Mr Ball, in front of 30,000 people, the Arboretum continues to attract a year round audience. Easily accessible from the city centre and the wider community via the tram network that runs alongside, this park plays a vital role for the local community and is the site for many organised events through the summer.

View Parks & Natural Sites in Nottingham City in a larger map

You can undertake a 'Tree Trail' walk around the park and find out about the different species of trees planted throughout the site.

 You can download your Arboretum Tree Taril leaflet by clicking here [1Mb], or ask at the gatehouse for a copy.

• Park Opening Times 
• Site Facilities
• Park History
• Green Flag
• Events
• Friends of The Arboretum
• Education and Activities
• Site Management
• Downloadable Map

Opening Times of Park

Weekdays - 8.00 am
Weekends and Bank Holidays - 9.00 am

Please click here for park closing times

Site Facilities

• Disability Access
• Dogs Welcome (On Leads)
• Educational Pack
• Events Programme
• Educational Pack
• Heritage
• Light Refreshments
• Disabled on Site Parking (available by prior arrangement)
• On Street Parking
• Accessible by public transport
• Ranger
• Toilets only on Event Days
• Tree Trail
• Wildlife Areas

Park History

Following the Nottingham Inclosure Act of 1845 - a visionary project to create a green network around the growing city, to provide green spaces for relaxation, contemplation, learning, exercise and clean air - the Arboretum was the first public park opened in Nottingham.

The layout and design was carried out under the supervision of Samuel Curtis, a botanist and horticultural publicist in 1850 who had previously been involved with the layout of Victoria Park in the East End of London in 1842.

The main aim of the design for Arboretum Park was to take advantage of the landscape setting whilst providing an interlinking network of walkways and socialising areas. As a result over 1010 specimen trees and shrubs were planted along with winding paths and sweeping lawns. The plantings were laid out in what is known as 'The Natural Order' to provide an educational link to nature through botanical interpretation. Today, some of the mature trees and shrubs growing here are living relics of the original collection such as the Lime Trees which were planted as nursery trees. There are currently over 800 trees of 65 species.

The layout of the park is relatively unchanged and as a result the Arboretum is Grade II listed on the Register of Historic Parks & Gardens maintained by English Heritage and contains 9 Grade II Listed structures within its layout, providing a key asset to Nottingham's Victorian Heritage.

Key features within the park include the Waverly Street Lodge and entrance, the lake, the Chinese Bell Tower, the Victorian Circular Aviary, the newly renovated Victorian Flower Garden, Dahlia & Formal garden, the North Sherwood Street entrance, the statue of Feargus O'Connor, the bust of Samuel Morley and the Bandstand, an important local feature, which was moved from the castle site in 1881.

The Arboretum continues to boast one of the premier tree collections within the County and is one of the few large green spaces within the city centre. There has been over £1 million investment since 2002, following a successful Heritage lottery bid. The Arboretum has been awarded the Green Flag in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and hopes to retain this award in the coming years.

Green Flag Award

The Arboretum has successfully been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award for the year 2009/2010. The park has held the award three times previously.

Click here for more information on the Green Flag Award

Events

The arboretum hosts a busy and varied programme of entertainment throughout the year, including the Green Festival, Nottingham Pride and a summer season of Brass Band concerts. For more detailed information about events, please click here to visit our What's On in Nottingham Guide.

The Park Ranger team also organise events and activities throughout the year. They are also available to led education sessions at the Arboretum.  Click here to visit our Events in Parks and Open Spaces for more information.

Return to top of page

'A walk in the park' Health Walks

There are 2 health walks that you can try in the Arboretum.  There are maps on display on site or you can download a map here.

 Click here to download the Arboretum Health Walk leaflet [651kb]

Friends of The Arboretum

The Arboretum space is supported by an active friends group, for more information contact the parks and open space office on 0115 915 2733.

Education and Activities

With its great historical significance, the Arboretum is of great interest to historians. The most significant feature is the tree collection which has had a number of recent additions and is fascinating to old and young alike.

 Click here to download A Tree Trail leaflet [1Mb]

An education pack for Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils is available from the parks office (Contact number: 0115 915 2733).

Site Management

The Arboretum has a detailed Management Plan that is implemented by the Parks and Open Spaces Service and Maintenance Team. Future plans include restoration works to the remaining structures along with the continued restoration of horticultural features and increased community involvement in the Arboretum.

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 to visit the GreenSTAT website and record your opinion.

Map

 Click here to download a map of the Arboretum [2Mb]

The Arboretum
Waverley Street
Nottingham
NG7 4HF

Public access to the Arboretum is via a network of pedestrian walkways. The park has four entrance points (Waverley Road, Arboretum Street, North Sherwood Street and Addison Street.) Vehicle access for maintenance vehicles is from the Arboretum Street and Waverley entrances.

All the entrances are gated when the park is closed from dusk to dawn. Parking is available along Arboretum Street for two hours but vehicular access for cars and motorcycles is not permitted within the park. Parking can be arranged for disabled drivers, by arrangement with the Arboretum Management.

The NET Trams runs along Waverley Street and stops close to the entrance. Click here to go to the Nottingham City Transport website.

Return to top of the page