Vicar Water Country Park

Vicar Water country park is just to the south of Clipstone village. 

It has been created on the site of a former colliery, transforming this former industrial site into heath, wood and grassland, offering spectacular views across to Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

At the centre of the park is Vicar Pond, a large fishing lake created by the fifth Duke of Portland in the 1870s. 

The park has been awarded Green Flag status in recognition of its excellent range of facilities, maintenance standards and opportunities for community involvement. The park is also a designated Local Nature Reserve.

During the autumn months the main vehicle gate to the park closes at 6pm.

Facilities

• large fishing lake (email vicarwaterangling@gmail.com for more information)
• footpaths and cycleways suitable for all abilities including the Sustrans National Route 6 and the Timberland Trail
• visitor centre with toilets
• Rumbles Café
• children’s play area with zipwire, climbing frame, swings and roundabouts
• small pond (for model boats and duck feeding)
• Golden Hand sculpture
• Memorial Rose Garden

Activities

The following regular activities take place in the park:

• Parkrun (every Saturday at 9am)
• Guided park ranger walks
• Junior Rangers forest school

Follow the Vicar Water Country Park Facebook page for more information about park activities and events.

Wildlife and habitats

The pond, stream and lake at Vicar Water all provide homes and food for a variety of wildlife. You’ll find birds including kingfishers, herons, grebes and tufted ducks as well as water scorpions, frogs and newts, emperor dragonflies, common darters and more.

Vicar Water's heathland was transplanted from Budby Heath in 2000 and includes a mosaic of bell and ling heather, cross-leaved heath, along with gorse and broom. This heathland supports a wide range of birds, reptiles, butterflies and beetles.

Key species to look out for here include:

• green woodpecker
• tree pipit
• nightjar
• common lizard
• green tiger beetle
• dingy skipper butterfly

Species rich grassland is another rare and important habitat. It can support a large number of rare grasses and flowers. Keep an eye out for bee orchids, harebell, field scabious, and common centuary.

Vicar Water has a large amount of woodland containing both broadleaved and coniferous trees along with scrub. These wooded areas are also full of wildlife.

Get involved

Live in the Sherwood area? Want to meet new people, keep fit, help to conserve and enhance your local country park whilst having fun? Then why not join the Vicar Water Country Park Volunteers? No experience is necessary, just enthusiasm.

Tasks will vary from scrub bashing, fencing, visitor surveys, repairing footpaths, woodland thinning and habitat surveying so there is something for everyone! You will also get the chance to work at Sherwood Heath and Intake Wood in Clipstone.

Full training and tools will be provided but please bring suitable old outdoor clothing and strong footwear. Any hours and days that you can spare will be greatly appreciated.

For more information, contact Park Ranger Isaac Thorn:

Email: isaac.thorn@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk

Friends of Vicar Water

The Friends of Vicar Water is an informal group involved with nature walks and talks and volunteer tasks on the park. 

Group members help out when they can at Vicar Water and Intake Wood and we welcome new members. To be added to our email list please contact Park Ranger Isaac Thorn:

Email: isaac.thorn@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk

Environmental education

The park is available for use for environmental education purposes. 

Any enquires should be directed to Park Ranger Isaac Thorn:

Email: isaac.thorn@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk

Park rules

Help us prevent fire, litter and wildlife damage. BBQ's, campfires and fireworks are not permitted in the park.

Sky lanterns and helium balloon releases are now banned in our council parks.

If you come across antisocial behaviour or incidents that require an immediate response in the park, call 101.

Dogs

Dog owners must ensure that their dogs are safe at all times and not creating a nuisance or danger for anyone else.

Dogs must not harm or worry the park’s wildlife.

It is the law for dogs in public spaces to:

• be microchipped
• wear a collar
• wear an identity tag

It is an offence to not pick up dog mess in the district with penalties of up to £1,000. Dog mess is a health hazard.

Our park rangers and council public protection officers can request that dogs are put on their lead if they feel a dog is not under control or causing a problem.