Compiled and fact-checked by Tommo, Verus founder · Last verified August 2026 · Spot an error?
Holme Pierrepont / National Water Sports Centre Guide
Holme Pierrepont National Water Sports Centre triathlon guide: who runs events on the Regatta Lake, wetsuit rules, transport and parking — plus every organizer currently racing at Nottingham's national watersports venue.
Venue At A Glance
Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK
NG12 2LU
Triathlon, Aquathlon, Open Water Swim
5 running events here
The National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont was built in 1970-71 on a former gravel quarry, purpose-made to bring international rowing and canoeing to the Midlands. It sits on 270 acres beside the River Trent and now runs several separate bodies of water — a 2,000m regatta lake, a smaller lagoon, and a whitewater canoe slalom course — alongside cycling and running paths. Like Dorney Lake, it's national sporting infrastructure rather than a venue built by one race promoter, which is why triathlon and open water swimming here comes from several unrelated organizers booking the lake through the year rather than one branded series.
Who Runs Events Here
This is a smaller, less frequent hub than a venue like Dorney Lake. The venue's own 2026 events calendar lists five dated triathlon/open-water fixtures — the Outlaw Half Weekend (16-17 May), an unnamed invitees-only "Triathlon and Open water" booking (3 June), the Outlaw Original full/middle-distance weekend (25-26 July), an Ultra Open Swim (15 August) and TriSociety's Triathlon Relays (29 August) — plus periodic British Triathlon youth fixtures that don't always appear on that calendar, and regular club open-water sessions. Active Training World also runs a well-established annual running race here (the Nottingham Holme Run), but no triathlon or duathlon event of theirs at this venue could be confirmed, so it isn't listed above.
Outlaw Triathlon (OSB Events)
Outlaw Nottingham Half Weekend — half-distance triathlon, aquabike, sprint triathlon and Future Outlaw kids' race
Annual, confirmed 16-17 May 2026
Visit organizer siteOutlaw Triathlon (OSB Events)
Outlaw Original Weekend — full-distance ("Outlaw Original") and middle-distance ("Outlaw Middle") triathlon, plus sprint and aquabike
Annual, confirmed 25-26 July 2026
Visit organizer siteTriSociety
Triathlon Relays Championship — team relay triathlon, running since 1991
Annual, confirmed 29 August 2026
Visit organizer siteBritish Triathlon / Triathlon England
Holme Pierrepont Children's Triathlon & Youths Aquathlon, TriStar Inter-Regional Championships
Periodic, several youth/age-group fixtures a year
Visit organizer siteAbsolute Tri
Club open water swim sessions on the Regatta Lake — training, not public racing
Regular club sessions, members only
The venue's own site lists a general events calendar covering everything at the Centre — rowing, canoeing, cycling and more, not just triathlon — so it isn't a dedicated race calendar. For entry, start times and race-day specifics for any event below, go to that event's own organizer rather than the venue.
The Course & Wetsuit Rules
Most triathlon and aquathlon swims use the Regatta Lake — a purpose-built 2km course, 140m wide and 4m deep, configurable as 6 rowing lanes or 9 kayak sprint lanes, giving flat, still water with no current. A separate, smaller Lagoon is designated for open water swimming. Exact buoy layout varies by organizer and event distance.
Facilities
- Changing rooms with lockers and showers, plus men's and ladies' toilets.
- On-site café, bars and a dining room; an on-site campsite and hotel are available for race weekends.
- Multiple general spectator areas around the lake.
- Indoor classroom and fitness-suite space overlooking the Regatta Lake.
Getting There & Spectating
Transport & Parking
Via the A52, then the A6011 Radcliffe Road (by the Gamston Lock pub); at the second set of traffic lights turn as signposted for the National Water Sports Centre.
Nottingham railway station is the nearest, around 4 miles away, with a taxi or local bus onward. Bus routes 11A (Mon-Sat) and 11C (Sunday) stop at the main gates.
On-site parking is paid, not free, run through an ANPR pay-by-phone/app system (ParkPCM, location code 4455), with a 30-minute grace period for drop-offs. The venue's own site doesn't publish the day rate directly — check parkpcm.co.uk before you travel. An annual parking membership (£65, one registered vehicle) is also available. Whether event days use a different arrangement from normal visitor parking isn't confirmed.
Spectator Guide
The Centre has several general spectator areas around the lake, with a bigger event-village setup for its largest weekend (Outlaw). Exact viewing points and any restricted zones are set by each event's own organizer rather than the venue.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a triathlon at Holme Pierrepont?
Yes — several. Outlaw Triathlon runs two separate weekends here each year: the Outlaw Nottingham Half Weekend (half-distance, aquabike, sprint and the Future Outlaw kids' race — 16-17 May 2026) and the Outlaw Original Weekend (full and middle-distance, sprint and aquabike — 25-26 July 2026). TriSociety's Triathlon Relays Championship (29 August 2026) and British Triathlon's youth and age-group fixtures also run here.
Do I need a wetsuit at Holme Pierrepont?
It depends on which event you're doing and the water temperature on the day — there's no venue-wide rule. Most organizers apply the standard British Triathlon rule: compulsory below 14°C, optional 14-22°C, banned above 22°C.
Is parking free at Holme Pierrepont?
No — parking is paid, run through an ANPR system (ParkPCM, location code 4455) with a 30-minute grace period for drop-offs. The day rate isn't published directly by the venue, so check parkpcm.co.uk before you travel.
How do I get to Holme Pierrepont without a car?
Nottingham railway station is the nearest, about 4 miles away, with local bus routes 11A (Mon-Sat) and 11C (Sunday) stopping at the main gates.
How long is the swim at Holme Pierrepont triathlons?
Most events use the purpose-built Regatta Lake, roughly 2,000m as a rowing course — swim distance for your specific race depends on which organizer is running it and what distance you've entered.
Who manages the National Water Sports Centre?
It sits on land connected to Nottinghamshire County Council and the Holme Pierrepont Leisure Trust, with day-to-day operation by Serco Leisure. The venue itself doesn't run the triathlons hosted there — that's down to each event's own organizer.