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HIGHFIELDS PARKQUICK LINKS Park HistoryEventsSite Management
Highfields Park is known to many locals as the University Park because of its close proximity and close relationship with Nottingham University Campus. This 121 acre park is well endowed with magnificent trees, wildflower meadows, exotic plantings and water features. It also includes on site activities, including boat hire, motor launch trips, bowling, croquet, putting, children's play area and a variety of Lake Pavilion events.
Return to top of the page  Park History
The core of the existing Highfields Park originates from the landscaping carried out by Joseph Lowe and his son Alfred in the late 18th and early 19th century. Joseph Lowe built Highfield House in 1798 as his private residence some distance north of the escarpment. He developed the areas around the wooded cliff face as a viewing point and scenic tour all linked to the house by a strip walk. The rock outcrop was undoubtedly a picturesque attraction and the rock shelters may have been an historical attraction.
Over time Alfred Lowe made further improvements to the site including the damming of Tottle Brook to form a 'fish pond' with grottos of shell and spa dotted around the perimeter. In 1920 the Highfields Estate was purchased by the founder of Boots and Co Ltd, Sir Jesse Boot, who conveyed the site for the foundation of the East Midlands University, now known as the University of Nottingham. The comprehensive plan, largely funded by Sir Jesse Boot, for the University Campus included a new road system and parkland setting to the south adding to the landscaping already created by Joseph and Alfred Lowe. 
Since 1921 Highfields Park has remained the home of The University of Nottingham with the original Highfields House being absorbed into the campus as a staff annexe. The new park was designed by the architect Percy Richard Morley Horder to form a setting for the Trent Building which he designed and built between 1922 - 1928. As a result, Highfields Park has a strong architectural emphasis in both its structural layout and the quality of the buildings.
A major element of the park design was the extension of the original 'fish pond' to form the existing Boating Lake, completed by Nottingham engineer WH Radford. The area around the original rock outcrop was left virtually untouched along with most of the pond, apart from the construction of some stone retaining walls around the water's edge. Tottle Brook was diverted to by-pass the Boating Lake and leave the Park via a culvert under the Boulevard. Return to top of the page 
EventsFor further information on forthcoming events at Highfields Park, please click here (External link to Nottingham City Council Website)Return to top of the page Site ManagementOwned by Highfields Leisure Park Trust in Nottingham, Highfields Park is a charitable trust of which Nottingham City Council is a sole Trustee.Return to top of the page |
Boating Lake*
Bowling
Croquet
Disability Access
Events
Play Areas
Public Transport
Putting