Highfields Park

About

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.

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.

Boating Lake

The boating lake is open seasonally (April - September) every year, and visitors can hire a canoe or rowing boat and enjoy a relaxing sail on the calm waters of this beautiful lake.

Boating Lake opening times: 10:30am - 7pm.

Nottingham Model Boat Club was formed in 1931 and was then known as the Nottingham Model Yacht Club. The Club sails at Highfields every Sunday morning from 09:15 until noon, and at Colwick on Sunday mornings. Often members can also be seen sailing during the week.

For further information please visit the website nottinghammodelboatclub.co.uk which gives details on membership, sailing locations and more

Site facilities:

• Adventure Golf
• Boating Lake (Seasonal)
• Croquet
• Disability Access
• Dogs Welcome (On leads in designated areas)
• Events - If you would like to run an event in this park, please visit our Outdoor Event Bookings page
• Parking
• Public Transport
• Ice Cream Concession
• Pavilion Café and Gallery Café at Lakeside Arts Centre

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Owned by Highfields Leisure Park Trust in Nottingham, Highfields Park is a charitable trust of which Nottingham City Council is a sole Trustee.