Vicar Car Water Park: Opening Times, Today & Calendar 2026
Planning a visit to vicar water country park car park in 2026? This guide explains the correct park name, parking donation system, opening-time planning, autumn gate note, address, Google Map, family facilities, Rumbles Café, visitor centre toilets, play area, walking routes, cycling paths, fishing lake, model-boat pond, parkrun, guided walks, wildlife, what to bring and the mistakes to avoid before travelling to Clipstone, Nottinghamshire.
Vicar Water Country Park is not a paid water-slide attraction. It is a Green Flag country park and Local Nature Reserve just south of Clipstone village, with a large fishing lake, wildlife, paths, cycling routes, visitor centre toilets, Rumbles Café, play area, model-boat pond and scenic viewpoints. If you searched for “Vicar Car Water Park,” the correct place is usually Vicar Water Country Park.
The most useful planning details are the car park, gate times, voluntary parking donation, café opening, family facilities, walk routes and whether you are going for fishing, parkrun, dog walking, cycling, wildlife, café time or a quick family play-area visit.
🅿️ I need car park information
Best fit: Vicar Water Country Park has a voluntary pay-and-display parking donation system. A £1 day donation or £20 season ticket helps support the parks, but the official council page says charges are not compulsory.
Gate tip: during autumn months, the main vehicle gate closes at 6pm, so avoid parking inside the gate late in the day unless you have checked the current notice.
Visitor tip: arrive earlier for parkrun, café visits, fishing, dog walks and family play-area time because the car park can be busier around weekend mornings.
Vicar Water Country Park Car Park, Opening Times and Today’s Visit: What to Know
Vicar Water Country Park is a country park south of Clipstone village in Nottinghamshire, created on a former colliery site and now known for Vicar Pond, fishing, wildlife, heathland, woodland, grassland, accessible paths, cycling routes, Rumbles Café, visitor centre toilets, children’s play area and views across Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.
The car park is best planned as a countryside car park rather than a waterpark ticket booth. The official council page says the parks have a voluntary pay-and-display scheme: drivers can donate £1 for a day or buy a £20 season ticket, but the donation is not compulsory and visitors will not be charged or fined if they do not buy a ticket.
Vicar Water Country Park Video Guide: See the Car Park, Lake and Trails Before Visiting
Use a video preview before visiting so you understand that this is a country park with paths, lake views, wildlife, play area and café facilities, not a commercial water-slide park. Video previews are especially useful for planning footwear, pushchairs, dog walks, fishing visits and longer walking routes.
Vicar Water Country Park Clipstone Video Preview
This video section helps visitors preview the walking environment, lake, car park-style arrival and open-space layout before travelling.
Vicar Water Country Park 2026 Guide: Car Park, Opening Times, Calendar, Map and Family Tips
Use these jump links to plan parking, gate times, visitor facilities, family play-area time, walking routes, cycling, fishing, parkrun, guided walks, wildlife and official contact details.
Vicar Water Country Park Car Park: Voluntary Parking Donation and Practical Tips
The official council page says Vicar Water Country Park is part of 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 £20 season ticket. Donations are reinvested in the parks, but the official page makes clear that charges are not compulsory and you will not be charged or fined if you do not buy a ticket.
| Parking question | Answer for visitors | Planning tip |
|---|---|---|
| Is the car park paid? | It uses a voluntary donation system | Donate if you can; it supports park upkeep. |
| How much is the day donation? | £1 for a day | Carry a little change or check current payment method on site. |
| Is there a season ticket? | £20 season ticket listed by the council | Useful for regular dog walkers, anglers and local families. |
| Will I be fined if I do not pay? | The official page says charges are not compulsory | Still follow all parking signs and gate notices. |
| When is it busiest? | Weekend mornings, parkrun, sunny afternoons and café/play-area periods | Arrive earlier for easier spaces. |
Vicar Water Country Park Opening Times Today and Gate Advice
Vicar Water Country Park is an outdoor country park, so visitors often think only about daylight. However, the vehicle gate matters if you are parking inside. The official page states that during the autumn months the main vehicle gate closes at 6pm. For late afternoon dog walks, fishing visits, photography or longer walks, check the current entrance notice before leaving your car.
Plan visits around daylight, weather and path conditions.
The main vehicle gate closes at 6pm during autumn months.
Rumbles Café may have separate opening/service times from the park.
Toilets and visitor-centre facilities may not match outdoor access times.
Do not rely on late gate access without checking current signage.
Steeper paths and woodland sections can feel different after rain.
Vicar Water Country Park 2026 Calendar: Parkrun, Guided Walks and Seasonal Planning
The park has regular community activity rather than commercial waterpark sessions. The official council page lists a Saturday 9am parkrun and guided Park Ranger walks. Vicar Water Country Park guided walks are held on the third Tuesday of every month, meeting by the Park Ranger’s office next to Rumbles Café, with walks taking place between 9:00am and 10:30am.
| Calendar item | When / how | Visitor tip |
|---|---|---|
| Parkrun | Saturdays at 9am | Register on the parkrun website and arrive early for parking. |
| Guided walks | Third Tuesday of each month, 9:00am–10:30am | Book your place through the official booking route. |
| Autumn vehicle gate | Main vehicle gate closes at 6pm during autumn months | Avoid starting long walks too late. |
| Wildlife watching | Best planned by season and weather | Bring binoculars and stay quiet around ponds and woodland. |
| Fishing | Check angling details before travelling | Use the official fishing contact before assuming access or rules. |
Vicar Water Country Park Address, Car Park Map and Directions
Vicar Water Country Park is near Clipstone village in Nottinghamshire. Discover Ashfield lists the address as Vicars Court, Clipstone, Nottinghamshire, NG21 9AS. Some older/local listings may use Mansfield Road or NG21 9AA, so the safest navigation method is to search the official park name and check the Google Maps marker before driving.
Vicar Water Country Park Google Map
Address search: Vicar Water Country Park, Clipstone, Nottinghamshire
Listed visitor address: Vicars Court, Clipstone, Nottinghamshire, NG21 9AS
Navigation tip: use the park name and follow local signs rather than relying only on one postcode.
Vicar Water Country Park Facilities: Café, Toilets, Visitor Centre and Picnic Planning
The official council page lists a visitor centre with toilets, Rumbles Café, children’s play area, small pond, large fishing lake, footpaths, cycleways and wildlife. Nottinghamshire County Council also mentions a visitor centre with disabled toilet, refreshments and meeting room.
Useful for refreshments, family breaks and post-walk food or drinks.
Plan toilet stops before longer routes, especially with children.
Nottinghamshire County Council notes a disabled toilet at the visitor centre.
Good for families who want a shorter visit rather than a long walk.
Picnics are fine when waste is taken home, but BBQs and fires are not allowed.
Use the café/visitor-centre area as a practical meeting point for groups.
Vicar Water Country Park Play Area and Family Day Out Tips
The official council page says the play area includes a giant zipwire, climbing frames, swings and roundabouts, plus an accessible swing seat. This makes the park useful for a low-cost family visit even if you are not planning the full 5-mile walk.
A highlight for active children who like playground challenges.
Good for burning energy before or after a café stop.
Simple family play options for shorter visits.
Added for ease of use by all abilities.
Use wildlife-safe food and do not leave litter around ponds.
Stick to easier surfaced paths if using pushchairs or wheelchairs.
Vicar Water Country Park Walks, Cycleways and Route Planning
The park has footpaths and cycleways suitable for all abilities, including Sustrans National Route 6 and the Timberland Trail. Nottinghamshire County Council lists a 5-mile circular walk, parking nearby, bus routes and surfaced paths with some steep gradients.
| Route / activity | Best for | Planning tip |
|---|---|---|
| Short family walk | Play area, café, toilets and pond visit | Good for younger children and casual visitors. |
| 5-mile circular walk | More active walkers | Expect some steep gradients and check footwear after rain. |
| Cycling | Local riders and families with confident cyclists | Share paths safely with walkers, dogs and children. |
| Timberland Trail / Route 6 | Longer exploring around Sherwood area | Plan route length before starting with children. |
| Viewpoint walk | Photos and countryside views | The higher areas can involve steeper walking. |
Vicar Pond, Fishing Lake, Wildlife and Nature Watching
At the centre of the park is Vicar Pond, a large fishing lake created by the fifth Duke of Portland in the 1870s. The official council page says it now offers a thriving coarse fishery, and the park’s ponds, stream, lake, heathland, grassland and woodland support wildlife including kingfishers, herons, grebes, tufted ducks, frogs, newts, dragonflies, common lizards and butterflies.
Contact the fishery before travelling if angling is the reason for your visit.
Look for water birds around the pond and quieter lake edges.
Important habitat with birds, reptiles, butterflies and beetles.
Good for shade, wildlife and seasonal walking.
Used for model boats and duck feeding, according to the official page.
Do not let dogs worry wildlife or enter sensitive habitats.
Vicar Water Country Park Rules: Dogs, BBQs, Fires, Litter and Safety
The council asks visitors to help prevent fire, litter and wildlife damage. BBQs, campfires and fireworks are not permitted. Sky lanterns and helium balloon releases are banned in council parks. Dogs must be kept safe and under control, must not harm or worry wildlife, and dog mess must be picked up.
| Rule area | What visitors should do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| BBQs and fires | Do not light BBQs, campfires or naked flames | Protects heathland, woodland and wildlife. |
| Fireworks / lanterns | Do not use fireworks or sky lanterns | Reduces fire and wildlife risk. |
| Dogs | Keep dogs under control and away from wildlife | Protects other visitors and habitats. |
| Dog mess | Pick up after dogs | Dog mess is a health hazard and can lead to penalties. |
| Anti-social behaviour | Report incidents using official guidance | Helps protect the park and other visitors. |
What to Bring to Vicar Water Country Park
Pack for a country park, not a commercial waterpark. The right kit depends on whether you are walking, fishing, using the play area, visiting the café, cycling, dog walking or doing parkrun.
Useful for woodland, slopes, wet grass and longer routes.
Open park areas can feel windy or wet depending on season.
Useful if you want to support the voluntary parking scheme.
Essential for responsible dog walking.
Useful for longer walks, cycling and parkrun.
Helpful for wildlife watching around ponds and woodland.
Vicar Water Country Park Car Park and Visitor Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistakes are treating the site like a paid water-slide park, arriving late without checking the gate, forgetting the voluntary parking donation, assuming café/toilet hours match outdoor access, using poor footwear after rain, letting dogs disturb wildlife and ignoring fire rules.
This is a country park, not a commercial waterpark with slides.
The main vehicle gate closes at 6pm during autumn months.
Carry £1 if you want to make the voluntary car park donation.
Rumbles Café may not be open whenever the outdoor park is accessible.
Steeper and wooded paths can be slippery after rain.
Dogs must not worry wildlife or become a nuisance to visitors.
BBQs, campfires and fireworks are not permitted.
Use the café/visitor centre area as a clear group meeting point.
Saturday 9am can be busier because of parkrun.
Official Vicar Water Country Park Links and Resources
Use official and local authority pages first because car park notices, guided walk dates, café details, gate information and volunteering contacts can change.
Newark & Sherwood Council
Main official page for park facilities, parking donation, events, rules, wildlife and contacts.
Open official council pageNottinghamshire County Council
Walk listing with 5-mile circular route, path surface notes, parking and bus-route information.
Open walk listingDiscover Ashfield
Local destination page with address, facilities and how-to-get-there notes.
Open Discover Ashfield pageVicar Water parkrun
Register and check Saturday 9am parkrun information before attending.
Open parkrun pageYouTube Preview
Watch recent videos to preview paths, lake, car park and countryside feel.
Open video searchFAQs About Vicar Water Country Park Car Park and Opening Times 2026
Is Vicar Water Country Park a water park with slides?
No. Vicar Water Country Park is a country park and Local Nature Reserve near Clipstone, not a paid water-slide attraction.
Where is Vicar Water Country Park?
Vicar Water Country Park is just south of Clipstone village in Nottinghamshire. Discover Ashfield lists the address as Vicars Court, Clipstone, Nottinghamshire, NG21 9AS.
Is Vicar Water Country Park car park free?
The council lists a voluntary pay-and-display scheme. Visitors can donate £1 for a day or buy a £20 season ticket, but the charge is not compulsory and visitors will not be fined for not buying a ticket.
What time does the Vicar Water Country Park gate close?
The official council page says that during autumn months the main vehicle gate closes at 6pm. Visitors should check current signs for seasonal or local changes.
Are there toilets at Vicar Water Country Park?
Yes. The official council page lists a visitor centre with toilets, and Nottinghamshire County Council notes a visitor centre with disabled toilet.
Is there a café at Vicar Water Country Park?
Yes. Rumbles Café is located by the visitor centre area and offers refreshments, outside seating and take-away service.
Is Vicar Water Country Park good for children?
Yes. The park has a children’s play area with a giant zipwire, climbing frames, swings and roundabouts, plus an accessible swing seat.
Can I do parkrun at Vicar Water Country Park?
Yes. Parkrun takes place on Saturdays at 9am and is open to all ages and abilities. Register through the parkrun website before attending.
Can I fish at Vicar Water Country Park?
Vicar Pond offers a coarse fishery. The official council page gives fishing contact details, so anglers should check current rules before travelling.
Are BBQs allowed at Vicar Water Country Park?
No. BBQs, campfires and fireworks are not permitted in the park, and a Public Space Protection Order covers fire-related nuisance.
Are dogs allowed at Vicar Water Country Park?
Dogs can visit, but owners must keep dogs under control, prevent nuisance or danger, stop them worrying wildlife and pick up dog mess.
What should I bring to Vicar Water Country Park?
Bring suitable footwear, weather layers, water, dog bags if needed, binoculars for wildlife, and £1 if you want to support the voluntary parking donation scheme.