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Vicar Water Country Park

Vicar Water country park (NG21 9AA) 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 a heathland, woodland 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. In the past the lake has been used for boating and swimming. Today it’s returned to its original use and offers a thriving coarse fishery. For more information on fishing at Vicar Water, email vicarwaterangling@gmail.com or call 07595 834 209.

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 September and October the main vehicle gate to the park closes at 6pm.

Avian Flu Warning

We have confirmed cases of avian flu on the park. There are also cases nearby at other country parks and lakes.

Please do not risk spreading it!

Follow the advice from Nottinghamshire County Council

  • Keep to footpaths
  • Keep dogs on leads
  • Do not feed wild waterfowl
  • Do not pick up or touch dead or sick wild birds
  • Do not touch wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings
  • If you keep poultry or other birds, wash your hands and clean and disinfect your footwear before tending to your birds

Please report dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese, or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey to either our park ranger or Defra

Park Ranger 07971 486 301
Defra’s GB helpline: 03459 335577

Find out more at: www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

Park facilities

  • large fishing lake and abundant wildlife‌
  • 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
  • small pond (for model boats and duck feeding)
  • Golden Hand sculpture

Play area

The play area includes a giant zipwire, climbing frames, swings and roundabouts. We’ve added an accessible swing seat for ease of use by all abilities. 

Tree Plantings at Vicar Water Country Park

In association with our partners we are currently planting 4.4 hectares of native woodland on previously grazed land at Vicar Water Country Park. This area of the park is called Vicardale.

The tree planting forms part of the Defra funded Trees for Climate project and is being delivered in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council and the Sherwood Forest Trust.

This map of Vicardale shows how the new tree planting will help to join up two existing woodland areas to create a wildlife corridor. 

Vicardale plan showing new tree planting joining up two existing woodlands to create a wildlife corridor

Our greening agenda recognises the urgent need to plant more trees to help with climate emergency and biodiversity loss.

We are planting 4000 new trees to create a mixed broadleaved woodland providing benefits for people, wildlife and the landscape. As part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, the new wood has been called ‘Platinum Jubilee Woods’ in tribute to Her Majesty.

Rumbles cafe

Rumbles cafe is run by Rumbles Catering Project, a charity providing education and training for people with learning difficulties. It has a five-star hygiene rating and Healthy Options Takeaway (HOT), including vegetarian options.

Outside seating and a take-away service is offered 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday.

Menu deals include:

  • Tea and cake £3.50
  • Coffee and cake £4
  • Meal deal - fresh roll, crisps and cold drink £4.50
  • Tea and cream and jam scone £4.50
  • Soup of the day and a roll £2.50
  • Specials board for home-cooked meals

For further details on Rumbles menus and services or to enquire about hiring the Visitor Centre facilities, call 01623 424836 or e-mail rumblescateringproject@yahoo.co.uk.

Park events

  • Saturday 28 May - bird walk with Mark from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, 8am
  • Sunday 5 June - free craft activity with Ranger Rich

Follow the Vicar Water Country Park Facebook page for more information about our events and to join in the conversation.

Wildlife, habitats and education

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.

Environmental education

The park is available for use for environmental education purposes. Any enquires should be directed to Lynn Preece at lynn.preece@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk.

Conservation volunteering

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 Sherwood Heath 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 Vicar Water Country Park and Intake Wood in Clipstone.

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

For more information, please contact Lynn Preece via email lynn.preece@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk.

Friends of Vicar Water

The Friends of Vicar Water volunteer group is involved in helping us to look after the park. The group meets regularly and welcomes new members. Email Lynn Preece for more details at lynn.preece@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk.

Forest school

Our park rangers offer a forest school featuring a fun outdoor learning programme for children aged five to ten. It’s available in our parks in Newark, Ollerton and Clipstone.

Miner 2 Major

Miner to Major is an exciting five-year land management project (2019 to 2023) supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The scheme is delivering a range of projects that celebrate and help protect the diverse wildlife, important habitats and rich heritage of Sherwood Forest.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved with volunteering, have-a-go activities, restoring natural habitats, monitoring threatened species, planting hedges and trees, improving walking tails, free training and up-skilling courses, surveying historic buildings, learning traditional crafts and learning about local legends and heroes.

There are opportunities to take part in activities at locations including Rainworth Heath, Budby Forest, Sherwood Forest, Vicar Water Country Park, Intake Wood and Sherwood Heath.

Find out more about how to get involved on the Miner to Major website.

Voluntary parking charge

The parks have a voluntary pay and display scheme. If you drive to the park you can make a parking donation of £1 for a day, or buy a season ticket for £20. Donations will be reinvested in the parks, but charges are not compulsory and you won't be charged or fined if you do not buy a ticket.

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.

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 £1000. 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.

Public Space Protection Order for Vicar Water Country Park

Public Space Protection Orders are designed to promote responsible behaviour and restrict behaviour that is anti-social, in parks and other public open spaces.

A Public Space Protection Order for Vicar Water Country Park has been implemented in relation to combating fire-related nuisance on the Park. The terms are:

”A person or persons are prohibited from the following activities being: the lighting of fires; barbecues; Chinese lanterns, fireworks; or using any article/object which causes a naked flame and which poses a risk of fire”

Notices are in place around the park.