Highfields Park falls into two clear sections, lying either side of the dual carriageway of University Boulevard. The area to the south of the Boulevard consists of flat recreation fields, and includes a modern Tennis Centre and hockey centre. The area to the north of the Boulevard consists of an ornamental leisure park which also forms a setting for the University of Nottingham
The park was laid out in the 1920s and is owned by the Highfields Leisure Park Trust, Nottingham, a charitable Trust of which Nottingham City Council is sole Trustee.
History
In the early 1920s the whole area was purchased and developed by the industrialist Sir Jesse Boot (later Lord Trent) as the new East Midlands University (now University of Nottingham), and the pleasure ground was further developed to become a public park, called Highfields Park, for public enjoyment and to provide a dramatic visual setting for the University. This included the enlargement of the lake and the creation of University Boulevard, creating the ornamental park which survives more or less unchanged today. The east end of the Park terminated with a lido on the opposite side of East Drive which was at that time the largest swimming pool in Britain (since demolished and replaced by the University Djanogoly Arts Centre). The area to the south of the Boulevard was laid out as recreation/sports fields.
Facilities
Opening Times and Prices
The Boating Lake and Putting Green is now open from 11.30am - 7.30pm Monday to Sunday, unitl Sunday September 2 2007.
Take a look below for prices on the activities available at Highfields.
| Activity | Price | Details |
| Putting | Adult £1.30 | Per round per putter and ball. Deposit of 50p per person required |
| Junior 65p | Per round per putter and ball. Deposit of 50p per person required. | |
| Boating | 2x person canoe and 4x person rowing boat available | |
| Row Boat | Adult £3.40 | 2x people per hour. Deposit of £2.60 per boat required |
| Junior £1.75 | 2x people per hour. Deposit of £2.60 per boat required | |
| £1.00 | For each additional passenger carried | |
| Maid Marion | Motorised vessel which takes trips of 12 people around the lake | |
| Adult £1.55 | Price per trip | |
| Junior 80p | Price per trip |
For more details on the activities at Highfields please call 0115 915 2733
Highfields Sports Club
On the opposite side of University Boulevard you will find Highfields Sports Club. This site was developed in conjunction with Sport England to provide sporting facilities including hockey football and lacrosse pitches and a club house with comprehensive changing and catering facilities.
It is the home of Beeston Hockey Club, Players Hockey Club, Nottingham Highfields Hockey Club, Nottingham Lacrosse.
Lakeside Arts Cente
Over £600,000 of European cash has supported the building of the new D.H.Lawrence Pavilion at the University of Nottingham. Set on the edge of the lake on Highfields Park it forms part of the new Lakeside Arts Centre at the South Entrance to the University, which extends the public facilities by providing a contemporary performing arts venue and an archive exhibition gallery.
Designed by Nottingham architects Marsh & Grochowski, the new Pavilion opened in September 2001 and features an intimate 250-seat theatre, an exhibition gallery and an amphitheatre for 120 people. The project also involved the development of lakeside terraces and a covered colonnade as well as a circular nature trail around the lakeside.
The Centre features a lively and varied performance programme and a changing programme of exhibitions themed around aspects of the history and culture of the East Midlands. Appropriately, the first exhibition displayed material from the Lazarus Bequest of D H Lawrence manuscripts.
For more details contact:
(Link to University of Nottingham – to Lakeside website)
Highfields Consultative User Group
Highfields Consultative User Group is made up of users, local residents and representatives from Highfields Sports Club, Nottingham Tennis Centre and University of Nottingham. We meet four times a year, and also plan activities to help improve the park. If you would like to join please contact 0115 9152733
Mission Statement
Highfields Consultative User Group links all user groups of Highfields Park through partnerships to ensure proper consultation and effective management of Highfields Park as a Heritage Park and Green Space.
Aim
To ensure the effective management of Highfields Park as a Heritage Park and local green space through effective consultation and partnerships with user groups, park users and the Highfields Management Trust and implementation of the Highfields Park Management Plan.
Objectives