Forest Recreation Ground
Urban park hosting Nottingham's annual Goose Fair since 1928.
John Sutton · via Wikipedia: Forest Recreation Ground · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Forest Recreation Ground is a public open space in Nottingham, about a mile north of the city centre. It lies between the neighbourhoods of Forest Fields, Mapperley Park, Arboretum, and Hyson Green. The site is most famous for hosting the city's annual Goose Fair.
In the Middle Ages, this land was part of Sherwood Forest, which once stretched from Nottingham northward through the county. It was the southernmost tip of that forest, forming part of an area called "The Lings," which was covered in gorse and scrub and extended into the parishes of Lenton, Radford, and Basford. The site was among the first areas protected for public use by the St. Mary's Nottingham Inclosure Act of 1845, which set aside about 80 acres of Sherwood Forest for recreation. To mark this, the Mayor of Nottingham planted the "Inclosure Oak," which still stands at the Mansfield Road entrance. The criss-cross pattern of walkways was designed by Joseph Paxton, a leading 19th-century gardener and architect.
For over 300 years, the Forest has been used for sport, including horse racing, cricket, and football. Nottingham Racecourse was located here by 1773 and remained until the late 19th century, when it moved to Colwick. Nottingham Forest Football Club played their first games here after forming in 1865, which is why the club is named after the ground. Forest Lodge, a Grade II listed building built in 1857, stands at the Mansfield Road entrance. It was originally a police or keeper's lodge, and a police cell remains in the basement. A red granite monument at the Monument Gate on Forest Road East commemorates those who died in the Boer War. The Goose Fair, which has existed since at least 1541, only moved to the Forest in 1928, after many years in the Old Market Square.
The Goose Fair is held on the Forest every October. Smaller travelling fairs and circuses also take place here during local school holidays.
The recreation ground has floodlit hard surface courts, grass pitches for ball games, a traditional bowling lawn, and an enclosed children's playground. Nottingham City Council maintains these facilities. A parkrun is held here each week.
The site supports a variety of habitats and species. Mature trees include turkey oak, English elm, pedunculate oak, sessile oak, rowan, silver birch, common lime, and horse-chestnut.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Nottingham, England
- Area
- 80 acre
- Created
- 1845
- Operator
- Nottingham City Council
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The name 'Forest' derives from the Middle Ages when the land was part of Sherwood Forest. The site was the southernmost part of Sherwood Forest and was part of the open area known formerly as 'The Lings'. The Forest was one of the original areas protected in perpetuity by the St. Mary's Nottingham Inclosure Act 1845, which set aside some 80 acres for public recreational use. Joseph Paxton was responsible for the criss-cross formation of walkways.
For over 300 years the Forest has been home to sport, including horse racing, cricket and football. It was home to Nottingham Racecourse by 1773 until it moved to Colwick at the end of the 19th century. Nottingham Forest Football Club first played their games on the Forest after their formation in 1865. The Goose Fair moved to the Forest in 1928 from its previous home in the city's Old Market Square.
Forest Lodge, built in 1857, stands at the Mansfield Road entrance. This Grade II listed building was originally used as a Police or Keeper's Lodge. A red granite monument at the Monument Gate commemorates the fallen of the Boer War. The Forest's £5.2 million restoration project was completed in September 2013, and a sports zone was completed on 28 October 2015.
Reader's Guide
The Forest Recreation Ground holds significant historical and cultural importance for Nottingham. As the southernmost remnant of Sherwood Forest, it represents a tangible link to the medieval landscape. Its protection under the 1845 Inclosure Act established it as one of the earliest public recreational spaces in the city. The ground's sporting heritage is profound: it hosted Nottingham Racecourse from at least 1773 and gave its name to Nottingham Forest Football Club, which played its first games there after 1865. The annual Goose Fair, a tradition dating to at least 1541, has been held on the Forest since 1928, drawing large crowds each October. The site also supports diverse habitats, including mature trees and relic meadow flora, and hosts a weekly parkrun. The restoration project completed in 2013 and the subsequent sports zone have modernized facilities while preserving the park's historic character. The Forest remains a vital green space for recreation, community events, and wildlife, managed by Nottingham City Council with support from the Friends of the Forest group.
Did You Know?
- The Forest was part of Sherwood Forest and was known as 'The Lings'.
- Nottingham Forest Football Club took its name from playing its first games on the Forest after 1865.
- Forest Lodge, built in 1857, originally contained a police cell at basement level.
More in Club History & Eras
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