Latest Park News

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Check out the great park photos in our gallery
 © All photos are copyright of the photographer
What's on in the park?   Mining History
Want to bake one of the café cakes?

FoBCP Meeting
6 January 2022

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Our first meeting of 2022 will be on 10 January at 10am and will take place on Zoom to avoid spreading Covid-19. I know everyone hopes that our next one will be in person but for now you can do your hair, put a nice top over your PJs and meet us on line.

The agenda is set out here and if you would like the link to join the meeting please drop us a line on the contact us form.

300 And Counting
5 January 2022

PictureJoin now
We were delighted to see today that we had passed the milestone of 300 members of our facebook group. If you would like to join in the fun, post some park photos, ask a question or discuss park issues with fellow visitors just apply to join the group. You will need to answer the simple entry questions (it's not a quiz!) - just click here

Happy New Year
1 January 2022

Although there are very few organised events taking place in the park, and the Dynamo House Cafe and Winding Engine House remain closed on Saturdays, we want to remind you that the park is always open. Whether you are running off those extra Christmas pounds, exercising the dog, taking the kids to the adventure playground, birdwatching, meeting up with friends for a coffee on a bench with a view or simply walking for the sheer pleasure of being out in nature, Bestwood Country Park is there for you. With free parking and no entrance fee it's an activity that won't break the bank. We look forward to seeing you enjoying the park in the coming year.

The Early Bird...
22 December 2021

PictureBook early to avoid disappointment
...in this case gets to go on the winter bird walk. Booking is now open for the free guided bird walk in Bestwood Country Park which will be taking place at 8am on Saturday 12 February 2022 and will be lead by Carl Cornish. You need to be 19+ to apply. The form is a bit of a faff but well worth it.
To reserve one of the limited spaces just click on the link to the Inspire website and book your place today. Winter Bird Walk - Bestwood Country Park

Dynamo House & WEH Closure - Update
16 December 2021

After discussions with our shift leaders, a decision has regretfully been taken, in light of the rising corona virus infections, to temporarily suspend our Dynamo House Cafe and Winding Engine House Tours on Saturday mornings. The volunteer team will be reviewing the situation every week, and we will let you know when we plan to re-open. One guess is that it may be mid to late January.
Meanwhile, have a good Christmas. The park will always be there to offer you space to exercise, walk & talk or just enjoy the views and we hope the weather allows you to have some good park walks!
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The view from Andy's Adventure Playground - Rob Carlyle

Dynamo House Closure
3 December 2021

Don't be too downhearted - it's only for one day - The Dynamo House will NOT be open on Saturday 25 December, for obvious reasons. However, to compensate for this we will be open on Sunday 26th December instead. So if you find yourself with those Boxing Day blues, take a walk in the park and drop by the Dynamo House Cafe between 10am and 1pm and I'm sure it will cheer your day.

Getting To The Nub Of It
30 November 2021

PictureVolunteers at the "hidden gem" cafe
Last Saturday a reporter from the Hucknall Nub News visited us at the Dynamo House to enjoy our coffee & cakes and to find out a little more about the place. Nick had chanced upon the cafe the previous week but had been too late to buy any of our cakes as we had sold out. This time he made sure that he was in good time so as not to miss out. He also took the time to chat to the volunteers & take a few photos.
To read Nick's article in the Hucknall Nub News click here. You could then scroll down through the other interesting articles and maybe even subscribe to the newsfeed. It's well worth a read.

Smoke Signals
14 November 2021

Anyone out in the park around lunchtime today would have seen plumes of smoke rising into the sky from the Hucknall direction. A large fire had broken out in a recycling depot in the Wigwam Lane area and smoke could be seen for many miles. Several people captured images of the spectacle including our Chair, Rob Carlyle, who took this dramatic image from a high point in the country park.

Autumn Colours
14 November 2021

Helen Swain sent us some images of the autumn colours in the park from this morning. If you would like to see them they are in the 2021 gallery.

On A Cold & Frosty Morning
7 November 2021

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Helen Swain was out in the park this morning despite the recent dip in temperature. She captured some big skies, the lonely Winding House and a few of the plants hanging on into the winter months which help to support the wildlife.
If you would like to see more of her beautiful photos just click over to the 2021 gallery.
News from October 2021 - November 2020 is stored on our News Archive page here
News from October 2020 - November 2018 is stored on our News Archive page here.
News from October 2018 - November 2016 is stored on our News Archive page here.
News from October 2016 - November 2015 is stored on our News Archive page here.
News from November 2015 and before is stored on our News Archive page here.

In partnership with

Who are we?
The Friends of Bestwood Country Park was formed in late 2007 and focuses its activities a few miles north of Nottingham in Bestwood Country Park.
The group’s aim overall is to promote the interests of our big beautiful park, its habitats and flora and fauna as well as its many human visitors and its historic buildings, and to serve as an active means of communication and co-operation between all users. 
The group meets most months on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Bestwood Lodge Hotel.  You can check out what goes on at the meetings page. We are always looking for new members to join us and everyone is welcome to come along to the meetings. If you think you would be interested in coming along please use the contact us form to let us have your details.
What do we actually do?
There are several strands to the group of people interested in the park so it is not all about meetings! If you’re into engineering, you might be interested in joining the Winding Engine House Volunteers. If you’re into practical conservation, there’s a group that meets on Mondays (except bank holidays) to help the rangers with their work. A similar practical group meets on the first Sunday of the month. No experience necessary and tools will be provided.
To find out more check out out volunteering page under the Events tab.
The Forum
We have previously run a web forum where people can log any wildlife they see or get involved in discussion threads on issues involving the park. This old forum has been moved into this website where all old posts have been archived.
Useful Links
Read the Richard the Ranger's blog - click here
Read Rob's blog - click here
141 Bus Timetable

Bestwood Country Park Facebook account

Bestwood Country Park Flickr site

Bestwood Village Park Run

Bestwood Village WI

Bestwood Village Wikipedia entry

Greenwood Community Forest

Friends of Newstead & Annesley Country Park

Love Parks

Mercian Archaeological Services

Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group

Nottinghamshire CC - Country Parks

If you have images of the park you would like to add to our gallery please send them in to us using photos@fbcp.org.uk 
You can discuss the format we need using the contact us form.
Actually wanted Friends of Buchan Country Park, based in West Sussex? If so, click here:- fobcp.org.uk.