Once a private summer residence, Sparrows Nest Park now offers a
wonderful mixture of history, leisure activities and wildlife
habitat. A popular location for summer events, this fascinating
park with its steep slopes is just a short distance from the sea
and offers real variety to the visitor.
Opening Times
Sparrow’s Nest Park is open all year round (restrictions on some
facilities)
Facilities
- Tearooms
- Museum
- Site based staff
- Family Friendly
- Disabled access (steps to natural areas)
- Bowling/Putting
- Children’s Play Area
- Wildlife Friendly (please keep dogs under control)
- Bandstand
- Toilets
About Sparrows Nest Park
Sparrows Nest was
purchased by the Lowestoft Corporation to celebrate Queen
Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Commandeered in 1939 by the Royal
Navy, it became the central depot of the Royal Naval Patrol
Service and the museum, which commemorates their actions, is
now housed in what was once the RNPS headquarters within the
park.
Entering from Whapload Road by the Lowestoft and East Suffolk
Maritime Museum offers the opportunity to learn about the Lowestoft
fishing fleet and early commercial activities to more modern
times.
Past the Maritime Museum you will find well maintained
bowling/putting greens and a gentle slope that leads up to the RNPS
Museum, children’s play area and the popular Martello Coffee
House.
While the lower part of the park offers space for some gentle
recreation, taking the path and steps beyond will lead up a fairly
steep gradient. In spring, this area is covered with bluebells and
wildflowers and the mature trees offer cooling shade and cover for
a variety of bird life. Explore the paths that wind their way up
towards the adjoining Belle Vue Park, which is a short distance
from Lowestoft’s historic High Street.
Leisure Facilities
Both bowling and putting facilities are available and operate on a
‘pay and play’ basis. They are open from 10am until dusk from May
to September inclusive.
For further information, please contact the parks office on 01502
523470 or via
outsidesports@waveney.gov.uk
Fees & Charges
Fees and charges apply for the use of some leisure
facilities.
View current prices in the WDC Fees &
Charges book (Outdoor sports prices begin on page 32).
Community groups
There are a number of user groups currently associated with
Sparrows Nest. If you would like more information or are interested
in getting involved in supporting the park, please contact the
parks team.
View the location of Sparrow's Nest
Park on a map (Opens new window)
Parking
Some free parking is available on Whapload Road and a free car park
is situated opposite the park on North Denes.
Contact us
If you would like to contact a member of the Parks
Team:
Email:
parks@waveney.gov.uk
Telephone: 01502 523470
Contact details for specific relevant Council services:
Booking sports facilities:
outsidesports@waveney.gov.uk
Grounds Maintenance enquiries:
groundsmaintenance@waveney.gov.uk
Play enquiries:
play@waveney.gov.uk
Events enquiries:
events@waveney.gov.uk
Tree enquiries:
trees@waveney.gov.uk
Further information
Royal Naval Patrol Service Information -
rnps_HQ@lowestoft.org.uk
The council is not responsible for the content or views
of external sites and accepts no liability for material within
them.