Friends of
Cotgrave Country Park

Past events

The Friends of Cotgrave Country Park hold a range of events throughout the year. Below is a list of our past events, covering 2022 onwards.

Missed an event you wanted to attend? Check out our upcoming events to make sure you don't miss out again!

A photo depicticting the bat and moth walk

Bat and moth walk

Ticketed Ages 10+ Evening

Friday 20th May 2022 — 7pm

Explore the park with an expert from Nottinghamshire Bat Group. Track each bat's location using bat detectors! Use a moth trap to get a close-up look at the many species of moth in the park.

A photo depicticting the childrens' activities

Childrens' activities

Free Family-friendly

Saturday 28th May 2022 — 10am

Come along and enjoy free activities for children, held in partnership with Notts County Council.

A photo depicticting the wildflower walk

Wildflower walk

Ticketed Ages 10+

Sunday 12th June 2022 — 10am

Explore the park with our expert guide, discovering some of the many wildflower species to be found in the park.

A photo depicticting the wildflower walk

Wildflower walk

Ticketed Ages 10+

Sunday 24th July 2022 — 10am

Discover some of the numerous wildflower species found in the park on this guided walk, led by our expert guide.

A photo depicticting the family fun day

Family Fun Day

Free Family-friendly

Sunday 21st August 2022 — 11am to 3pm

Join us for a day of fun learning about nature, with activities such as face painting, crafts and treasure hunts!

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 4th September 2022 — Meet at 10am

Help us with maintenance and improvements to the park. All necessary equipment is provided, including tea and biscuits!

A photo depicticting the bat and moth walk

Bat and moth walk

Ticketed Ages 10+ Evening

Friday 9th September 2022 — 7pm

Explore the park with an expert from Nottinghamshire Bat Group. Track each bat's location using bat detectors! Use a moth trap to get a close-up look at the many species of moth in the park.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Thursday 20th October 2022 — Meet at 10am

Help us with maintenance and improvements to the park. We are likely to be improving sign posts around the park this week.

A photo depicticting the fungi walk

Fungi walk

Ticketed Ages 10+

Sunday 23rd October 2022 — 10am

Explore the various fungi growing in the country park, on a walk led by our expert guide. Please have clothing and footwear suitable for walking through woodland areas.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 6th November 2022 — Meet at 10am

Help us with maintenance and improvements to the park. All necessary equipment is provided, including tea and biscuits!

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 15th November 2022 — Meet at 10am

Help us with maintenance and improvements to the park. Tasks will be decided on the day, but refreshments are provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Thursday 1st December 2022 — Meet at 10am

Help us with maintenance and improvements to the park. No previous experience is necessary - come along and give it a try!

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 18th December 2022 — Meet at 10am

Help us with maintenance and improvements to the park. We'll be clearing some sea-buckthorn from an area of the park, and improving sign posts for our waymarked routes.

A photo depicticting the winter tree walk

Winter tree walk

Ticketed Ages 12+

Saturday 7th January 2023 — 9:45am

A guided walk through the park to learn about different trees, looking at their bark, structure, buds and breathing! Duration about 2 hours. Meet in the Hollygate Lane car park. (Ages 12 - 16 must have an accompanying adult)

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 22nd January 2023 — Meet at 10am

Looking to be more active this year, or try something new? Join other volunteers in improving and maintaining the park. No previous experience is necessary - come along and give it a try!

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 5th February 2023 — Meet at 10am

Something a bit special this week, as we survey our bird boxes and clean them out before nesting season starts. If time allows, we might also make improvements to the den-building area.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Thursday 9th February 2023 — Meet at 10am

Our work on preparing the den-building area for the season ahead continues. No previous experience is necessary, and refreshments are provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 12th March 2023 — Meet at 10am

Help us with maintenance and improvements to the park. No previous experience is necessary - come along and give it a try!

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Thursday 23rd March 2023 — Meet at 10am

Join other volunteers as we work on improvements in the park. All necessary equipment is provided, including tea and biscuits!

A photo depicticting the children and parents nature walk

Children and parents nature walk

Free Family-friendly

Sunday 26th March 2023 — 10am - 12pm

Come and explore the wildlife to be found in the park during spring, and help us establish a record of the nature we find.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 4th April 2023 — Meet at 10am

Task days are a great way to support your local community, as well as the wildlife in the park. Equipment, training and refreshments are provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 11th April 2023 — Meet at 10am

Looking to be more active this year now winter is over? Why not join us on a Task Day as we maintain and improve the park. No experience is necessary, and equipment is provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 23rd April 2023 — Meet at 10am

Come along and meet other volunteers from the local community. Activities will be decided on the day, but training and equipment are provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Thursday 4th May 2023 — Meet at 10am

Help us with maintenance and improvements to the park. Equipment, training and refreshments are provided.

A photo depicticting the early morning birdsong walk

Early morning birdsong walk

Ticketed Ages 8+ No dogs

Saturday 13th May 2023 — 6:30am

Join a guided walk with our warden to discover the sounds of some of our park birds, with ID guides to help. Meet in Hollygate Lane car park. (Ages 8 - 16 must have an accompanying adult)

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 14th May 2023 — Meet at 10am

Task days are a great way to support your local community, as well as the wildlife in the park. All necessary equipment is provided, including tea and biscuits!

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 23rd May 2023 — Meet at 10am

Join other volunteers as we work on improvements in the park. Tasks will be decided on the day, and equipment & refreshments are provided.

A photo depicticting the morning birdsong walk

Morning birdsong walk

Ticketed Ages 8+ No dogs

Tuesday 6th June 2023 — 8:30am

Join a guided walk with our warden to discover the sounds of some of our park birds, with ID guides to help. Meet in Hollygate Lane car park. (Ages 8 - 16 must have an accompanying adult)

A photo depicticting the wildflower and butterfly walk

Wildflower and butterfly walk

Ticketed Ages 10+

Sunday 11th June 2023 — 10:00am

Discover some of the many wildflowers in the park, and the butterflies that live around them, on this guided walk. Meet in Hollygate Lane car park. (Ages 10 - 16 must have an accompanying adult)

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 13th June 2023 — Meet at 10am

Task days are a great way to support your local community, as well as the wildlife in the park. All necessary equipment is provided, including tea and biscuits!

A photo depicticting the children and parents nature walk

Children and parents nature walk

Free Family-friendly

Sunday 25th June 2023 — 10am - 12pm

Discover the wildlife to be found in the park during the summer months, and help us establish a record of the nature we find.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 25th June 2023 — Meet at 10am

Join other volunteers as we work on improvements in the park. Tasks will be decided on the day, and equipment & refreshments are provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Wednesday 5th July 2023 — Meet at 10am

Why not join our mid-week task day, and help improve your local outdoor space? Tasks will be decided on the day, and equipment & refreshments are provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 11th July 2023 — Meet at 10am

With summer in full swing, what better time to enjoy the great outdoors whilst also supporting nature? Equipment & refreshments are provided - come along and try something new!

A photo depicticting the wildflower and butterfly walk

Wildflower and butterfly walk

Ticketed Ages 10+

Sunday 16th July 2023 — 10:00am

Discover some of the many wildflowers in the park, and the butterflies that live around them, on this guided walk. Meet in Hollygate Lane car park. (Ages 10 - 16 must have an accompanying adult)

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 25th July 2023 — Meet at 10am

Make the most of the British summer by helping improve your local country park. There are tasks to suit all abilities, and training and equipment are provided.

A photo depicticting the pond dipping for all ages

Pond dipping for all ages

Ticketed Family-friendly

Tuesday 8th August 2023 — 10am - 12pm

Come and have fun in the park finding creatures that live in & around the water. All materials will be provided. (Children must be accompanied by an adult; no dogs please).

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 8th August 2023 — Meet at 10am

Help us prepare the park for our Teddy Bears' Picnic and Family Fun Day events later in the month. Equipment and refreshments will be provided.

A photo depicticting the teddy bears' picnic

Teddy Bears' Picnic

Free Family-friendly

Sunday 13th August 2023 — 12pm - 3pm

Join us for a picnic to celebrate our 20th anniversary! Please bring your own food and picnic blanket or chairs (no glass please), and enjoy live music from the Loxley Saxophone Ensemble.

A photo depicticting the family fun day

FAMILY FUN DAY

Free Family-friendly

Sunday 20th August 2023 — 11am - 3pm

Our biggest event of the year, the free Family Fun Day focuses on nature and conservation. Find out more below.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 29th August 2023 — Meet at 10am

Task days are a great way to support your local community, as well as the wildlife in the park. All necessary equipment is provided, including tea and biscuits!

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 5th September 2023 — Meet at 10am

Make the most of the final few weeks of summer by joining us as we maintain and improve the park. Training, equipment and refreshments are provided.

A photo depicticting the bat walk

Bat walk

Ticketed Evening

Friday 15th September 2023 — 7pm

Explore the park with an expert from Nottinghamshire Bat Group, and use detectors to find and track bats! Please bring a torch; under-16s must have an accompanying adult.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 1st October 2023 — Meet at 10am

Looking to get involved in your local community now the summer holidays are over? Join us on a volunteer task day to meet new people and learn new skills. Equipment and refreshments are provided.

A photo depicticting the fungi identification walk

Fungi Identification Walk

Ticketed Family-friendly

Sunday 22nd October 2023 — 10am - 12pm

Our expert, Lee, will once again amaze us with the wonderful world of Fungi, and show us how they are the backbone of our soils and wild places. (Children must be accompanied by an adult; dogs on a short lead).

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 24th October 2023 — Meet at 10am

There's always plenty to do in the park in autumn! Join us on a volunteer task day to meet new people and learn new skills. Training, equipment and refreshments are provided.

A photo depicticting the plastic tree guard collection

Plastic tree guard collection

Free Family-friendly Volunteering

Sunday 5th November 2023 — 10am - 12pm

Join in with Plastic Free Cotgrave as we collect old tree guards from around the park to reduce plastic pollution. Children welcome with an adult. Meet in the car park. Equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Thursday 16th November 2023 — Meet at 10am

Help us manage and improve the park on one of our volunteer task days. Stay as long as you like. There are a variety of tasks available to suit everyone. Refreshments provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 26th November 2023 — Meet at 10am

Looking to try something new? Volunteer task days are a great way to get involved in the park & your local community! Training and refreshments are provided. Stay as long as you like.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 17th December 2023 — Meet at 10am

Join us on our final volunteer task day of 2023 and enjoy the park in winter. Training, equipment and (warming!) refreshments are provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 28th January — Meet at 10am

Help us clean & prepare our bird boxes for the coming nesting season. The boxes, funded by a grant from Rushcliffe Borough Council, were erected on previous task days.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Thursday 8th February — Meet at 10am

After the success of our woodland bulb crowd-funding campaign, it's time to start planting the bulbs out in the park. Training and refreshments are provided. Stay as long as you like.

A photo depicticting the bulb-planting volunteer day

Bulb-planting volunteer day

Family-friendly

Sunday 18th February — Meet at 10am

Following on from our crowd-funding campaign, we now have hundreds of new woodland flower bulbs to plant in the park - come and help us! Bring a trowel if you have one, and stay as long as you like.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 27th February — Meet at 10am

Work continues on our new Kingfisher nesting areas, and on other improvements to the park. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 10th March — Meet at 10am

Help us maintain and improve the park. Tasks vary and will be decided on the day. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Thursday 21st March — Meet at 10am

Help us maintain and improve the park. Tasks vary and will be decided on the day. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 9th April — Meet at 10am

Looking for a new activity this spring? Why not join one of our volunteer days and help us improve the country park! Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 14th April — Meet at 10am

Join us as we improve the signposts for walking routes around the park. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Thursday 25th April — Meet at 10am

Help us maintain and improve the park. Tasks vary and will be decided on the day. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 19th May — Meet at 10am

Work will be continuing on the kingfisher nesting banks. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 4th June — Meet at 10am

Join us as we maintain and improve the park. Stay as long as you want. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 9th June — Meet at 10am

Join us as we maintain and improve the park. Stay as long as you want. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Thursday 20th June — Meet at 10am

Join us as we maintain and improve the park. Stay as long as you want. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the wildflowers and butterflies walk

Wildflowers and butterflies walk

Ticketed Ages 7+

Sunday 23rd June — Meet at 9:45am

Discover and learn about the wildflowers and butterflies found in the country park, in this guided walk led by our expert Lee. Approximately 2 hours. Children 7+ welcome with an adult.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 2nd July — Meet at 10am

Join us as we maintain and improve the park. Stay as long as you want. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 14th July — Meet at 10am

Join us as we maintain and improve the park. Stay as long as you want. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Thursday 18th July — Meet at 10am

Join us as we maintain and improve the park. Stay as long as you want. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 28th July — Meet at 10am

This time we plan to complete installing new information boards around the park. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Tuesday 6th August — Meet at 10am

Join us as we maintain and improve the park. Stay as long as you want. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 11th August — Meet at 10am

With summer in full-swing, why not enjoy the fine weather and help us maintain and improve the park. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Thursday 15th August — Meet at 10am

Join us as we maintain and improve the park. Stay as long as you want. Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the children's activities

Children's Activities

Free Family-friendly

Saturday 24th August — 10am - 1pm

Free nature-based activities for children, including bug hunts, making bird feeders and wildflower seed bombs, and much more! The coffee van will be available too.

A photo depicticting the volunteer task day

Volunteer task day

Ages 16+

Sunday 25th August — Meet at 10am

If you're home this bank holiday Sunday, why not join us as we make improvements to the park? Training, refreshments and equipment will be provided.

A photo depicticting the bat detectors walk

Bat detectors walk

Ticketed Evening

Friday 6th September — Meet at 7:15pm

Come and learn about the different species of bat that live in the park, using ultrasonic detectors to locate them! Further details and tickets available soon...

A photo depicticting the fungi foray walk

Fungi foray walk

Ticketed Ages 7+

Sunday 13th October — 10:00am - 12:00pm

Discover some of the many species of fungi that can be found in the country park, in this guided walk let by our expert Lee. Tickets available soon...