Portland Park Country Park — Attraction in Ashfield

I love Portland park, when I lived in Kirkby in Ash near St Wilfred's Church I regularly walked my dogs over the fields passing Hockley Valley to this wonderful Country Park... It's also an Ideal place to do a bit of jogging if you're that way inclined...and please be careful passing over the railway lines into this end of the park... There's also a visitor centre within the park called The Wild Rabbit Cafe which is a brilliant place to relax and nourish yourself before moving on to further explore the area... (another review coming shortly) There's also a car park available if you're driving into the park from the Kirkby town centre end ... There's plenty of wildlife to see so bring binoculars along with you ... I'm making sure I return on a regular basis seeing as Bobbi my Yorkshire terrier loved the walk as much as I did... this is his first time here and it definitely won't be his last... Yes, it's a marvellous way to spend a few hours of your...

Grew up playing in Portland park (down quarry's ) from Mayfield street a group of us would spend most of the weekends/holidays down here as kids, 20+ years later thought we'd go down see if it's same, couldn't find the water steps but found the bmx track (humps n hollas ) although over grown still looks like kids are still having fun there, found the "paddling pool" was surprised the boat has gone, its the first time in all my life I've seen it with water in yes I'm coming up to 40 but walking round here took me straight back to being 10, great cafe good selection of food even full cooked dinners, beer bar bonus, great day out won't leave it so long next time PS, anyone know where all the old photo albums have disappeared to I remember looking through these as a kid and most of my family the Browns, and Hutchinson's off Mayfield...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Kirkby’s little forest with a big heart! Portland Park has been part of my life since I was a kid — and it still hits the same now. Whether you’re nipping through the woods for a bit of peace, spotting squirrels doing parkour in the trees, or feeding the ducks (carefully!) at the pond, there’s always something to smile about.

In spring, it smells like fresh earth and hope. In autumn, the whole place looks like a postcard. There’s a cracking little kids’ play area, and if you wander deep enough, it almost feels like you’re in Sherwood Forest (just with fewer outlaws and more joggers).

Locals know it’s a proper chill-out spot — and on a misty morning, with the sun breaking through the trees, there’s even something a bit magical about it. A proper gem for Kirkby folk...