Wollaton Hall, Gardens and Deer Park

Wollaton Hall was originally designed by Robert Smythson and built for Sir Francis Willoughby, being completed following eight years of building work in 1588- the year of the Spanish Armada.

The building is in the English Renaissance style and its flamboyant design is considered to be a masterpiece. Following a fire in 1642 the interior was extensively remodelled, and again radically redesigned by Sir Jeffry Wyatville in the late 18th and early 19th centuries for the 6th Lord Middleton. The exterior remains little altered since its construction and is as stunning as it was in 1588.

A programme of restoration at Wollaton Hall, Gardens and Deer Park was completed in April 2007. Costing £9million, the project was partly funded by the European Union European Regional Development Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Natural History Museum
Since Wollaton Hall opened to the public in 1926, it has been home to the city’s natural history museum. On display are some of the best items from the three quarters of a million specimens that make up its zoology, geology, and botany collections.

Natural Connections Gallery
This gallery explores the relationship between the natural world and ourselves. One of the central themes in the gallery is extinction, and a number of extinct and near-extinct species are on display. These include a passenger pigeon and a flightless parrot from New Zealand – the kakapo. Recent additions to the gallery include the extraordinary duck-billed platypus, a giant anteater and a rare maned sloth. Other popular exhibits include an orangutan skeleton, a hippo skull and a Humboldt penguin, together with many other mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects, and fossils.

Bird Gallery
Recreated in the style of a 1930s natural history museum display, this gallery contains taxidermied Victorian birds and game heads, alongside more contemporary specimens. Many of the birds were collected in Ethiopia and Sudan by the 19th century Nottinghamshire explorer Mansfield Parkyns. These include one of the first two specimens of the shoebill, or whale-billed stork, brought back to Europe in 1850. Other exhibits include a pelican, a bird-of-paradise, and a red kite.

Insect Gallery
Spectacular butterflies, moths, beetles and bugs from around the world are on display here. Focusing on the biology and life-cycle of insects, this gallery also includes a section on social insects including a Caribbean cloud forest diorama showing some of the birds and mammals that depend upon termite colonies for food and nest sites. Live insects are also featured – these include stick insects from Borneo and Papua New Guinea, and a colony of Madagascan hissing cockroaches.

Mineral Gallery
This gallery showcases some of the 5,000 specimens that make up the rock and mineral collection. It includes some the original Nottingham Naturalists’ Society collection and fine displays of classic minerals from the North of England (early 20th century) and Cornwall and Devon (19th century). You can also get up close to some giant ammonites – fossilised coiled shells of ancient squid-like sea creatures.

Africa Gallery
The Nottingham Natural History Museum’s famous gorilla and giraffe specimens can be seen here, together with a splendid cheetah – the fastest land mammal. The gallery also features a walk-through waterhole scene complete with zebras, leopards, hyenas, antelopes, warthogs, ostriches, a porcupine and even a fruit bat. An interactive panel enables visitors to hear the sounds made by some of the better-known African animals.

On your visit to the Hall enjoy:

Tudor Kitchens
The original beehive ovens and charcoal stove have been fully restored and the kitchens furnished according to the 1601 inventory. On event days, enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of an authentic working Tudor kitchen. Access is by our daily guided tours only. Check the Wollaton Hall events and tours web page for times and prices.

The Regency Dining Room
Presented as it would have looked during the Wyattville restoration, complete with introductory video featuring the family housekeeper, Mrs Gildart.

The Regency Salon
Presented as it would have been in 1832 when Lady Jane Middleton was in residence, enjoy an audio visual interpretation. Please note: The Salon is currently closed until further notice for essential repairs and maintenance.

The Prospect Room
Situated on top of the Great Hall with stunning architecture and panoramic views of the city and beyond. Access via small spiral staircase and by daily guided tour only. Check the Wollaton Hall events and tours web page for times and prices.

Tours of Wollaton Hall and Deer Park
Don’t miss the chance to go behind-the-scenes on one of the guided tours available every day (subject to daily conditions) – including the hidden Admirals Bath, the stunning Prospect Room and the working Tudor Kitchen.

For further details about these tours, including times and prices, take a look at the tours, events and activities at Wollaton Hall and Park page.

Wollaton Hall Park
Walks, Tours and Orienteering in the Park
Themed guided walks and tours of the park are often available, please check the Wollaton Hall and Park events page to find out what’s coming up.

Walks
There are a couple of suggested walking routes through the park, these can be found on the Walk4Life website,

Wollaton Park Formal Gardens
The immaculately kept formal gardens provide the perfect spot to sit and relax. Here you can also visit The Camellia House, the oldest cast iron glasshouse in Europe.

Segway Tours
Segway tours of Wollaton Park are available on the last Sunday of the month – for specific times and dates, please check the Wollaton Hall and Deer Park events page.

There are two ways to experience the segways:

Have a Go – 5 minutes familiarisation to see how you get on with riding a segway – £4
Tour – those who successfully complete the familiarisation can tour the park (this lasts approx 30 minutes – £12)
The segway can be successfully driven by nearly everyone, however younger children may be too light to activate the controls.

Wollaton’s Secret Garden
The small walled botanic garden, situated adjacent to the stable block, has been developed and cared for by volunteers from the Nottingham Branch of the Hardy Plant Society since the early 1980s. This attractive garden is open on Sundays from 2.00-4.00pm between April and September. Plant sales raise money to maintain the garden.

‘Pay Once Visit All Year round’ ticket for Wollaton Hall’s Natural History Museum
Adult: £18
Kids Go Free (15 years & under), up to 3 per paid Adult
Carers: Free

Hidden History Tour: www.wollatonhall.org.uk/hidden-history
£18 per person (For any Annual Pass holders, the tour has a 50% discount to £9)
Note: Tours are not recommended for very young children and those with access requirements, due to the tour being stepped access in the historical site.

Parking
Weekday: £5
Weekend: £6
By app on mobile, website www.ringo.com or call 01158714000. RinGo ‘location code’ is 18914
By card payment in shops, cafes, or the Hall.
Blue Badge parking in all car parks