Discovering Gedling Country Park With The Kids

We are super lucky to live in Nottinghamshire with such wonderful green spaces all around us. Having lived in this county all my life there is always new places to discover and Gedling Country Park is one of those.

Just after lockdown started to release and allow outside meet ups my exercise class friends and I decided to start doing some local walks to keep up our spirits and get back on the fitness waggon.

One of this amazing ladies suggested taking one of our walks at Gedling Country Park and I was not disappointed. This beautifully scenic space offers some stunning views and something for everyone.

Over the last few weeks I have tried to up my walking and with my husband working on a Sunday I have been taking the kids for walks at Gedling Country Park. It’s easy to get to and not too far away and with the wide flat paths its a total joy to walk round.

Gedling Country Park is a fairly new open space in the area, opening in 2015. The park has 580 acres of open space, and offers a range of different walks for all abilities and they can also be used for cycling too! 

The walking routes are:

Top Hard (Red) – 2.8km long with some steep inclines.

High Hazles (Blue) – 1.4km with gentle slopes suitable for wheelchair users.

Main Bright (Yellow) – 2.7km of mainly easy paths but with a sharp slope at one point.

Low Hazles (Green) – at 5.7km it’s the longest route with several steep parts.

All routes are circular and are signposted at every junction so you could even mix it up and add 2 together! 

The boys and I have been several times now and so far have done the same walk (a different one to my exercise ladies and I do) The walk we do is wheelchair friendly and has 8 beautifully engraved animals dotted around. The animals all represent animals that could be found in the country park and each includes information on the animals themselves.

There are also some beautiful ponds in the park that are all left wild for wild birds, creatures and insects. 

The views from just about every part of the part are exceptionally beautiful and with some many benches scatted around the park it can be enjoyed without rushing.

Near the carpark is a fabulous little cafe that although is not open for dining in it is currently open for takeaway drinks and snack and with the masses of benches and picnic tables near the cafe on offer we have stopped for a snack and drink each time. 

The park has a popular children’s play area, complete with mining tower slide and visitor centre where you can find out more about the history of the park and surrounding area. I always start our walks going the opposite way to the park as it encourages the kids to the end of the walk as they look forward to the absolute treat of playing on this fabulous park when we reach the last bit of the walk! (method in my madness sometimes)

Entry to the country park is currently free and donation posts are located around the car park to give a donation to the parking and upkeep if you can. 

Gedling Country Park has been one of our most favourite family walking spots and we can’t wait to visit again soon.