Here to help
Park safety
Wollaton Park is a large park home to a variety of wildlife, including two herds of wild deer, 90 Red and 120 Fallow, as well as other wildlife. The park has seasonal activity that happens throughout the year, such as rutting season (September – November) and calving season (May – July). There are also times of the year when invertebrates may sting or bite in open spaces, such as wasps, ticks and horse-flies, particularly during the spring/summer, and the park can be subject to wet or icy conditions, particularly during changeable seasons.
Our park safety guidance is here to help you enjoy the park and the wildlife safely:
Wildlife safety:
Wollaton Park is a large park home to a variety of wildlife, including two herds of wild deer, 90 Red and 120 Fallow, as well as other wildlife. Wollaton Park has been their home before Wollaton Hall was built in 1588.
Deer rutting occurs between September and November, while calving is between May and July.
The deer may look gentle but they are powerful creatures and can be unpredictable at any time of year.
For the safety of the deer & other wildlife, we recommend visitors to:
- Remain close to paths and avoid long grassy areas and close to the perimeter of the golf course
- Keep a safe distance from the deer. Always more than 50 metres.
- If a deer is advancing, do not wave or shout, instead back off slowly.
- Keep dogs on leads throughout the park.
- Help keep deer wild by avoiding feeding them.
- Consider walking your dog elsewhere.
- Owners of dogs worrying the deer may receive a fine of up to £1,000
In the unlikely event that you feel threatened or charged by a deer than try to put a barrier (like a vehicle or tree) between yourself and the deer. If you have a dog, than let it off the lead, the dog will be more capable of escaping when unrestrained and may be the reason the deer is agitated.
General safety guidance
- Keep dogs on leads throughout the park in zoned areas
- Take litter home where possible
- BBQs & fires are not permitted in the park, as they pose a danger to the wild deer and other wildlife
- No foraging onsite
- No swimming or fishing in the lake
Tick awareness:
Ticks live in long grasses, shrubs and on wild animals. They often bite, and this can irritate the skin and may transmit diseases, including Lymes disease.
- Walk on clearly defined paths, avoid areas of long grass and do not approach the deer
- Wear suitable clothing
- Use suitable insect repellent
- Check yourself when you get home, and seek medical assistance if you suspect you have a tick bite
- For information and guidance on ticks, please see information from Public Health England
Drone policy
We do not allow drone flying at any time over Wollaton Hall and Deer Park except by contractors commissioned by Nottingham City Council for a specific purpose, who satisfy stringent CAA criteria, have the correct insurances and are operating under controlled conditions.
All ways we can enjoy Wollaton park safely
