Things to Do at Clumber Park: A First-Time Visitor Guide

Clumber Park had been on our list of places to visit in Nottinghamshire for some time. During our stay at nearby Clumber Park Lodges, we set aside a day to explore the estate.

Managed by the National Trust, Clumber Park is much more than a traditional park. Spread across more than 3,800 acres, it has woodland, open parkland, gardens, historic buildings and a large 83-acre lake. There are also miles of walking and cycling trails, so there is easily enough here to fill several hours or even a full day.

We visited on a Saturday in late August, during the school holidays. The weather was lovely and, not surprisingly, the park was busy. Families were picnicking beside the lake, children were playing and there were plenty of walkers, cyclists and dog walkers around. Despite this, it never felt uncomfortably crowded.

In this guide, I have covered the best things to see and do at Clumber Park, walking options, places to eat and practical information to help you plan your own visit.

A little about Clumber Park

Clumber Park was once the country estate of the Dukes of Newcastle.

The grand Clumber House that once stood here was demolished in 1938, so don't arrive expecting the usual National Trust stately home that you can walk around.

Instead, you explore the remains of the wider estate. These include the Chapel of St Mary the Virgin, Lincoln Stables, Walled Kitchen Garden, Ornamental Bridge and landscaped Pleasure Grounds.

I actually think this is part of what makes Clumber Park so interesting.

There isn't one main building that everyone heads towards. The estate itself is the attraction, and you discover different parts of its history as you walk around.

Best things to see and do at Clumber Park

Clumber Park is large, so it helps to have a rough idea of what you want to see before you start exploring.

These were our highlights.

Explore the Walled Kitchen Garden and Glasshouse

The Walled Kitchen Garden was probably our favourite part of Clumber Park.

Dating from 1772, this four-acre garden was originally used to grow produce for the Dukes of Newcastle. Today, it is still very much a productive garden, with fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers growing throughout the area.

August turned out to be a particularly good time to visit. We saw several varieties of apples and pears, along with gourds and grapes growing around the garden.

The highlight, within the Walled Kitchen Garden, for us was the huge Glasshouse.

At around 451 feet long, it is the longest Glasshouse cared for by the National Trust. Inside were grapes, tomatoes, chillies, aubergines, gourds and plenty of other fruit and vegetables. It was very warm inside on the day we visited, but we spent quite a bit of time looking around and admiring everything that was growing.

One of my favourite little finds in the Walled Kitchen Garden was the Apple Store. Connected to the park's orchards and national apple collection, the room is used as a drying and storage space. When we visited, it had a lovely display of dried flowers hanging from the ceiling, which gave the room so much character. It was a small space, but one that really stood out for me.

Elsewhere in the Walled Kitchen Garden, look out for:

• herb borders
• fruit trained against the walls
• apple and rhubarb collections
• seasonal vegetables
• the produce cart
• the Gardener's Mess Room

There is enough here to justify taking your time.

I would allow at least 30 to 45 minutes for the garden and Glasshouse, and longer if you enjoy gardening or photography.

Spend some time beside Clumber Lake

Clumber Lake is the focal point of the estate and one of the things that gives Clumber Park its character.

The 83-acre serpentine lake sits at the heart of the park, with walking routes running alongside it and several of Clumber's main attractions nearby.

When we visited, the whole lakeside area had a fun and lively atmosphere. There were families picnicking, children playing and plenty of people simply relaxing beside the water.

We also spotted lots of waterfowl. On the opposite side of the lake, cows were grazing in the pasture, adding to the countryside feel.

Even if you don't want to do one of the longer walks at Clumber Park, I would still make time to walk along at least part of the lake. There are lovely views, plenty of places to sit and lots of opportunities for photographs. It is also a very good place for a picnic, which is exactly what we did.

Walk out to the Ornamental Bridge

The Ornamental Bridge was another of our highlights.

Built between 1763 and 1770, the Grade II listed bridge was designed by Stephen Wright. It once formed part of the approach towards Clumber House.

The bridge isn't right beside the main visitor attractions, so you do need to make a small detour to reach it. I think it is absolutely worth doing.

We walked across the bridge to the other side and found a lovely viewpoint overlooking the bridge and lake. It ended up being one of our favourite views in the whole park and we took some lovely photographs here.

If you enjoy photography, I would definitely add the Ornamental Bridge to your Clumber Park itinerary.

Visit the Chapel of St Mary the Virgin

The Chapel of St Mary the Virgin is probably the most striking building at Clumber Park.

The 19th-century chapel rises above the Pleasure Grounds and is sometimes described as a "cathedral in miniature". Its Gothic Revival architecture certainly makes it look much grander than you might expect from a chapel on a country estate.

Make sure you go inside rather than simply admiring it from the outside.

We particularly liked the stained glass by Charles Eamer Kempe. One of Kempe's signature details was the use of a peacock feather as his mark. We spotted this incorporated into the feathers of an angel's wings in the stained glass. It is a beautiful little detail and something worth looking out for while you are inside.

The chapel is still used for worship and services, so opening can sometimes depend on what is happening there.

For us, it was definitely one of the must-see places at Clumber Park.

See the Lincoln Stables

The Lincoln Stables are another reminder of Clumber Park's past.

The buildings once housed the Duke of Newcastle's horses and staff. Today, they have been given a new use.

The area includes the Heritage Hub, Past Time Clumber room and Conservation Hub. If you want to learn more about the Dukes of Newcastle and the Clumber House that once stood on the estate, the Heritage Hub is worth looking into.

The Stableyard Scoop is also here if you fancy an ice cream or something sweet during your visit.

Wander through the Pleasure Grounds

The Pleasure Grounds surround the area near the chapel and were once part of the formal landscape around Clumber House.

We found this a nice area for a relaxed walk.

I wouldn't necessarily treat the Pleasure Grounds as an attraction that needs a special visit of its own. You are likely to walk through them naturally while exploring the chapel, lake and historic areas of the park.

Take your time here and enjoy the setting rather than rushing between attractions.

See Lime Tree Avenue

Lime Tree Avenue is one of Clumber Park's more unusual features.

It stretches for around two miles and is lined by a double row of almost 1,300 lime trees. You don't need to walk the whole length of the avenue to appreciate it, but it is worth looking out for while exploring the estate.

It is another good example of the scale on which the original Clumber estate was designed.

Walking at Clumber Park

Walking is one of the best ways to explore Clumber Park.

There are more than 20 miles of paths and multi-use trails covering woodland, parkland and lakeside areas.

The National Trust has several suggested walks, ranging from short routes around the historic centre to much longer walks through the wider estate.

Clumber's Walk for All Seasons

Distance: Around 2 miles

This is the route we chose. The Walk for All Seasons combines woodland and heathland with views across the lake and a detour towards Clumber Bridge.

We found it easy to walk and it worked very well for a first visit. More importantly, it gave us the chance to combine the walk with most of the main things we wanted to see at Clumber Park.

The route itself isn't demanding, so you can take your time, stop for photographs and make little detours to the different attractions. For us, this was a much better option than trying to do one of the longer walks.

If you are visiting Clumber Park for the first time and want a mix of scenery and sightseeing, I think the Walk for All Seasons is a very good choice.

Cycling at Clumber Park

Cycling is another popular way to explore the estate.

Clumber Park has more than 20 miles of multi-use trails, with several suggested cycling routes.

We chose to explore on foot, but cycling would be a good option if you want to cover more of the estate in a day. We saw plenty of cyclists while we were there, and the wide paths and large estate make Clumber Park particularly well suited to cycling.

Where to eat at Clumber Park

There are several places to get food and drinks at Clumber Park, so you don't need to leave the estate for lunch.

• Turning Yard Café: This is the main café at Clumber Park. It serves hot and cold drinks, cakes, sandwiches, snacks and light lunches. There is some seating indoors as well as covered seating outside.
• Lake Brew: Lake Brew is in Hardwick Village and is useful if you are exploring the lakeside area. It is more of a takeaway stop, with drinks and lighter food available.
• Central Bark: This is Clumber Park's dog-friendly café. It sits between the Walled Kitchen Garden and cricket ground and has both indoor and outdoor seating.
• Stableyard Scoop: This is inside the Lincoln Stables. As the name suggests, this is the place to head for ice cream, desserts and drinks.
• Bring a picnic: We chose to bring our own lunch. There are loads of places around Clumber Park where you can stop for a picnic, particularly around the lake. We found a spot beside the water and enjoyed our lunch there. With the lake in front of us and all the activity going on around the park, it was a lovely place to stop for a break. If the weather is good, I think bringing a picnic is one of the nicest ways to enjoy Clumber Park.

How long do you need at Clumber Park?

How long you need depends on what you want to do.

You could see several of the main attractions in around two to three hours. However, I would allow at least half a day for a first visit.

We spent around four hours exploring Clumber Park itself. We also walked from Clumber Park Lodges to the park and walked back again afterwards.

Four hours gave us enough time to follow the Walk for All Seasons, visit the main attractions, spend time in the Walled Kitchen Garden, walk out to the Ornamental Bridge and stop for a relaxed picnic. We never felt as though we were rushing.

You could easily spend longer if you want to do one of the longer walks, explore more of the estate or stop at one of the cafés.

For a first visit, I think Clumber Park is well worth allowing most of a day.

What shouldn't you miss at Clumber Park?

If you are short on time, these would be my five must-see places at Clumber Park:

1. Walled Kitchen Garden and Glasshouse
2. Clumber Lake
3. Ornamental Bridge
4. Chapel of St Mary the Virgin
5. Lincoln Stables

For us, the Walled Kitchen Garden was the biggest highlight, while the Ornamental Bridge gave us our favourite view.

Practical information for visiting Clumber Park (FAQs)

Where is Clumber Park?
Clumber Park is near Worksop in Nottinghamshire.
Address: Clumber Park, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, S80 3BE.

Clumber Park opening times
Opening times vary between the park itself and individual attractions. The park generally opens earlier than places such as the Walled Kitchen Garden, chapel, cafés, shop and Discovery Centre.
I would check the National Trust website before visiting, particularly if there is one attraction you definitely want to see.

How much does a visit to Clumber Park cost?
One useful thing to know is that pedestrians and cyclists can enter Clumber Park for free. We walked into the park from Clumber Park Lodges, so we didn't need to buy an admission ticket.
If you arrive by car, normal admission charges apply. At the time of our visit in August 2026, the standard prices without Gift Aid were:
Adult: £6.50
Child aged 5-17: £3.25
Under 5s: free
Family, two adults and up to three children: £16.25
Family, one adult and up to three children: £9.75

National Trust members can also visit and park free.

Parking at Clumber Park
There is a large main car park close to the main visitor facilities, along with overflow parking for busy periods. We didn't use the car park because we walked from Clumber Park Lodges. However, when we passed it on the Saturday we visited, I would estimate that it was around 80 per cent full. That was during the summer holidays and on a day when the weather was excellent, so arriving early would be sensible if you are driving on a busy summer weekend.

Toilets
There are several toilet locations around the estate, including accessible facilities.
We found it easy enough to find toilets while exploring, which is useful considering the size of Clumber Park.

Accessibility
A lot of Clumber Park can be explored on surfaced paths and tarmac roads. Accessible parking is available near the main facilities, along with accessible toilets and a Changing Places toilet. 
Mobility scooters and off-road Tramper vehicles can also be hired, subject to availability and conditions.
The Chapel of St Mary the Virgin has ramped access, while the Discovery Centre has a lift to its mezzanine level.

The Walk for All Seasons that we followed was easy and we found the terrain manageable.
As always with such a large outdoor estate, surfaces can vary if you move away from the main paths.

Mobile phone reception
Mobile reception was poor in quite a few parts of Clumber Park when we visited. We noticed it particularly around the Ornamental Bridge and in some of the wooded areas.
If you are visiting as a group and plan to separate, it is probably a good idea to agree on a meeting point beforehand.
I would also download any maps or walking routes before you arrive rather than relying on having a mobile signal throughout the park.

When is the best time to visit Clumber Park?

Clumber Park can be visited throughout the year, and each season should offer something slightly different.

Spring brings new growth and flowers, while summer gives you long days and the Walled Kitchen Garden at its most productive. Autumn should be lovely for woodland colours, while winter is likely to be much quieter.

We visited in late August. The weather was excellent and the estate was very green. There was plenty growing in the Walled Kitchen Garden and Glasshouse, which made August a particularly good time for that part of the park.

It was also the school holidays and the National Trust's Summer of Play was running, so the park was busy. Even so, it didn't feel overcrowded.

If you are visiting on a summer weekend, I would recommend arriving fairly early. You will have a better chance of seeing the most popular areas before they become busy and should also find parking easier.

Visiting Clumber Park with children

Clumber Park looked like a very good family day out.

There is loads of open space, walking and cycling opportunities, as well as a Woodland Play Park and Discovery Centre. The Discovery Centre focuses on the wildlife and natural environment of Clumber Park and is likely to be of most interest to families with younger children.

The lake, picnic spaces and play areas mean you could easily spend a full day here with children without needing to keep moving from attraction to attraction.

Is Clumber Park dog friendly?

Yes. Clumber Park is very dog friendly.

We saw lots of dog walkers during our visit. Dogs are welcome across much of the estate, although there are some places where they need to be kept on a lead, particularly around wildlife and livestock.

There is also a dedicated dog-friendly café called Central Bark.

Dogs aren't allowed inside the main Turning Yard Café, although they can sit with you at the outdoor tables.

Where to stay near Clumber Park

We stayed at Clumber Park Lodges, which was a very convenient base for visiting the park.

In fact, we didn't need to drive at all. We walked from the lodges to Clumber Park, explored the estate on foot and then walked back afterwards. Being able to do the whole visit without getting in the car made the day even more enjoyable.

If you are planning a longer break in the area, staying close to the park also means you don't have to try to see everything in one visit.

Is Clumber Park worth visiting?

Absolutely.

We had a lovely day at Clumber Park and I would happily recommend it. What stood out most was just how much there is to see and do.

You have the lake, gardens, woodland, historic buildings, walking trails and wildlife all within one huge estate. It is a great place for walkers, cyclists, families, dog walkers and anyone who simply enjoys being outdoors.

Our favourite attraction was the Walled Kitchen Garden and Glasshouse. There was so much growing when we visited in August and we spent quite a bit of time looking around.

The Ornamental Bridge gave us our favourite view and was well worth the extra walk.

The park was fairly busy because we visited on a sunny Saturday during the school holidays, but it never felt overcrowded.

I also think Clumber Park works very well as a full day out. You don't need to rush from one attraction to another. Take a walk, stop beside the lake, have a picnic and explore at your own pace.

The lack of a surviving stately home might initially seem unusual for a National Trust property, but I don't think it takes anything away from the experience.

At Clumber Park, the estate itself is the attraction. And there is a lot of it to explore.