A Guide to Woodthorpe, Nottingham

Woodthorpe is a sought after residential area, just north of Nottingham City. It is bordered by the areas of Sherwood, Mapperley, Arnold and Gedling. 

A range of spacious parks

Arno Vale Park, Thackerays Lane Park, Breckhill Park, and Woodthorpe Grange Park are all family-friendly parks in the Woodthorpe area – with the latter being the largest.

The Grange, a Grade II listed manor house in Woodthorpe Grange Park, is set among a variety of settings that include formal gardens, green houses, grassland, and tiny woodland areas. Sports fans will enjoy the 18-hole pitch and putt course and two football fields, while tourists from the city and the surrounding region will enjoy the Tropical House,’sunken garden’ with water feature, and unique train sculpture at the entry to the old railway bridge.

Picture Nottingham

Woodthorpe Grange – Opening ceremony 1922

Good schools

There are three primary schools in the region, as well as two day nurseries. Primary schools include Ernehale, Arno Vale and Good Shepherd – all of which are consistently rated well by Ofsted. As it stands, all primary schools currently have a rating of ‘good’ (May 2022). Below are statements from Ofsted inspectors, taken from each school’s most recent inspections.

  1. Arno Vale Junior School :

    The leadership team, including governors, has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection. High expectations are seen throughout the school and all members of the school community strive for excellence”. 
  1. The Good Shepherd Primary Catholic Academy:

    Pupils told me that they are happy to come to school and they are appreciative of the range of clubs, visits and visitors planned to encourage their interest. They explained the importance of kindness and respect, which the school holds at the heart of its values.”
  2. Ernehale Junior School


    In all of the lessons I visited, pupils were enjoying their learning, free from interruptions or any disruptive behaviour. Pupils were proud to share their work. They confidently talked about what they were learning.”

Beautiful Scenery

A lot of the roads and streets in Woodthorpe are lined with trees that blossom in spring and create beautiful colours in the Autumn. The vast amount of green space in this area of Nottingham also means that there is room for an array of plants and flowers which brighten up the area and create a stunning backdrop.

Because of the range of flat and hilly terrain in this area, there are also many brilliant spots to look at the horizon and see for miles. Some brilliant spots include the view from Breck Hill Road, Woodthorpe Drive and Arno Vale Park.

Independent shops

A handful of independent shops can be found in Woodthorpe, including hairdressers, a beautiful bridal shop, two excellent florist shops, tea rooms and a small collection of beauty salons.

Not far (although technically classed as Sherwood) you can find plenty of eateries, all in one place – including Indian, Jamaican and Chinese food, plus some delicious fish and chips from Sea and Earth.

Duffy’s Cafe Tea Room


A range of cakes and bakes from the local tea room

Stunning (and safe) houses

Many of the houses in Woodthorpe are all different in their own way – with many of the roads boasting an eclectic mix of styles. It is clear that the residents take pride in their homes. There is a real sense of community here, with street parties, running clubs and other leisurely activities common amongst the residents. 

The streets are safe and crime is much lower than the national average – overall, Woodthorpe is a great place to both raise a family because of its safe and spacious houses, but also to settle down – with Woodthorpe Hospital, one of the leading private hospitals in the area, easily accessed. 

Looking to buy a house in Woodthorpe?

Keep an eye on our properties for sale in Nottingham to stay up to date with properties in Woodthorpe that are on the market. Nottingham Belvoir also covers nearby areas such as Sherwood, Nottingham City and Arnold.