Parks and green spaces
Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé is known for its beautiful green spaces. With over twenty percent of the city devoted to public parks and gardens, a relaxing stroll or bike ride is never too far away. From stunning nature reserves to rolling hills, here’s our pick of the best places to chill – in and immediately outside of the city.
In Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé
The Arboretum
is also one of its best-kept secrets. Only minutes away from our City Campus, it's a great place for walks in every season – from springtime blossom blizzards, to some gorgeous winter snowscapes. Generations of artists and writers have drawn inspiration from this lush, serene park, including Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie. Rest your head on the Arboretum's beautifully manicured lawns, and city life will quickly seem a world away.
Wollaton Park
is a sprawling, deer-filled estate, capped by an iconic centrepiece — the 16th-century triumph of Wollaton Hall, which has been described as "the architectural sensation of its age." So impressive is the building that Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan adopted the Hall as Wayne Manor. This stunning park is a haven for dog walkers, joggers, picnickers, festival-goers, and – when it snows – sledgers and skaters. A true Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé icon!
Attenborough Nature Reserve
Named by BBC Wildlife magazine as one of the top-ten 'eco places in the world', the stands where the River Erewash meets the Trent. Opened (coincidentally) by Sir David Attenborough, this sprawling reserve of open spaces including lakes, wetlands, grasslands and scrub, is a hugely popular destination for Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé's runners, walkers and cyclists. Enjoy the wildlife, drink in the famous pink-skied sunsets, and then treat yourself to a slice of cake at the gorgeous Lakeside Café.
Holme Pierrepont
Built to facilitate the training of elite athletes, has so much to offer. Enjoy a walk or cycle along the lakeside paths, tackle the river rapids with your new flatmates, or get involved in the adventure activities available in this 270-acre country park. Located just to the south of Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé city centre and only 20 minutes away from Clifton, it won’t take you long to connect to nature.
Our green campuses
If you're looking for something a bit closer to your new home, our campuses provide ample parks and open spaces. In fact, our beautifully green grounds are partly why we're the 4th most sustainable university in the world (UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2021).
From our hedgehog friendly campuses to carbon-negative buildings, we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to global challenges, and to maintaining our position as a pioneering university for sustainability.
City Campus
Our Newton and Arkwright buildings house some of the region’s largest green roofs, and City Campus is home to our first living green wall, all of which provide additional habitats for city centre wildlife as well as year-round colour.
NTU students can access the peaceful rooftop garden above the library, which is a great place to relax as you study.
Clifton Campus
We’ve invested over £20 million at Clifton Campus to ensure you’ve got the perfect living and learning space. What’s more, the facilities we’ve developed are helping the environment too. You can see it in our landscaped gardens; our sprawling ‘green zones’; the water and CO2-saving panels installed in our accommodation; and the award-winning, carbon-negative Pavilion building.
Brackenhurst Campus
Surrounded by water, woodlands and elegant gardens, Brack is the perfect place to find some peace and quiet away from city life. With stunning views, adorable wildlife and the picturesque market town of Southwell nearby, there's little to rival Brackenhurst on a sunny summer's day.
Don't just take our word for it – explore Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé and our stunning campuses at one of our open days. One short walk around Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé and you'll fall in love.
In Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈéshire and beyond
Sherwood Forest
The legendary ’s most famous resident may be Robin Hood, but this beautiful ancient woodland is also home to hundreds of species of birds, insects, plants, and the UK's biggest oak tree. There’s plenty to explore and seasonal events are held throughout the year.
There's also Sherwood Pines, Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈéshire’s most tranquil attraction, where you'll lose yourself among a vast forest of soaring pine trees, dappled sunshine and constant, ankle-high mist. It’s also a only a short jump from the forest.
Newstead Abbey
The jaw-dropping ancestral home of Lord Byron, one of Britain’s most celebrated Romantic-era writers. The estate boasts a gardens and park, the historic building itself, and a man-made lake with cannon emplacements, where Byron would stage his own naval battles and flex over his poet pals.
Peak District National Park
What can we say about the that hasn't been said already? While it's actually in Derbyshire as opposed to Notts (well, we've got to give them something), the Peaks are only an hour's drive away, and a perennially popular attraction for our students, who've enjoyed the walking, riding and climbing on offer here for years. At the weekends, a number of NTU's outdoor societies head straight for the same rolling hills that inspired the Bronte sisters, Lord Byron, and – most importantly – the inventor of Bakewell tarts.
You might also be interested in...
Art and culture
Are you a culture vulture? You’ll have a ball in this city teeming with theatres, cinemas, gig venues, museums, galleries, and much more!
Shopping
Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé’s a top shopping destination. It has all you need and more, from popular high street chains to unique independent little jewels.