Arboretum n. (pl. -ta) tree garden

Nottingham's Arboretum has more than trees, however. Despite its proximity to the city centre, this sizeable park is an oasis of calm - except when there's some sort of musical event on, but more of that later.

Immediately on entering the Arboretum, you are surrounded by trees, plants and flowers. There are large expanses of grass through which paths weave and lead you to different areas.

The recently cleaned pond boasts a number of water fowl with their own
little island and a fountain in the middle. Just don't chuck them bread - it bloats the wee souls' tummies.

Surrounding woodland is a haven for other wildlife, most notably a team of tame squirrels who will eagerly accept nuts from any gently-approaching visitor. Ice-cream cones have also been observed to be dined upon, as well as, more grimly, a chunky bone of unknown origin.

Pigeons and other birds take full advantage of any other crumbs. Birds of more "exotic" varieties inhabit the series of aviaries which line one side of the pond. Although imprisoning creatures of flight might be seen as cruel and unnecessary, this feature remains popular with children and adults alike and provides an opportunity to observe birds otherwise unseen around these parts, at least in a liberated state.

(Update on the aviary situation: I have been reliably informed since writing this review that the birds are actually rescued and/or rare so that makes it slightly less bad then....?)

And so to other attractions of the Arboretum. An enclosed dahlia garden provides a sheltered area to sit on one of the peripheral benches, next to which is another quiet square containing a bell tower, spiked on four sides by cannons (it's a monument to something or other) and surrounded by banks of flowers.

Lastly, I should mention the bandstand. It's round. Sometimes people sing and/or play music on it. See you there!



If you're Nottinum born an' bred, English problay ain't y'first language like.

Visit the Nottinum page 'ere forra translashun.