Worksop Tourist Information

The town of Worksop in Nottinghamshire is on the edge of Sherwood Forest, 31 miles east of Sheffield. It was established in pre-Norman times and there are traces of Iron Age and Roman remains.

In 1103 William de Lovetot built the Augustinian Priory and the monks wrote the beautifully illuminated Tickhill Psalter which is now in the New York Public Library.

In 1296, Worksop was granted a Royal Charter. It became a small market town known for its milling, malting and timber industry.

The Battle of Workshop was a minor battle as part of the War of the Roses in 1460.

In 1539 the abbey was closed and many of the buildings were destroyed under the Dissolution of the Monasteries Act. The Priory Church of St Mary and St Cuthbert survived and is still the main place of worship in the town.

Worksop Manor was built by the 5th Earl of Shrewsbury and he instigated small industries of cloth making and malt breweries.

Trade was enhanced when the Chesterfield Canal was opened in 1777. The Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway followed in 1849 and brought business and prosperity to the town. The population expanded to 16,000.

Collieries were set up nearby with new housing for the mine workers. There were several estates owned by minor aristocracy and the town was nicknamed "Gateway to the Dukeries" as tourism developed.

Present Day Worksop

Modern-day Worksop has many small industries in the food and drink trade, with electronics, engineering, transport and textiles industries. However, many of the 40,000 inhabitants choose to commute to the surrounding cities of Lincoln, Sheffield and Nottingham.

There is a museum, cinema, library and arts centre along with the excellent Bassetlaw District General Hospital, a large teaching hospital and medical school.

The Worksop Leisure Centre has a swimming pool, gym and sports facilities and is complemented by the Bassetlaw Leisure Centre which provides bowls, snooker, football and tennis amenities.

The town centre has plenty of supermarkets, banks and shops. It also has a railway station with trains to Mansfield and Nottingham.

Things to Do Around Worksop

Worksop boasts several golf clubs including the Lindrick Golf Club, Kilton Forest Golf Club and Worksop Golf Club to the south of the town.

The area has miles of walking and cycle trails around Sherwood Forest. Visitors can see the 1000-year-old oak tree, said to be where Robin Hood hung out with his Merry Men.

Creswell Crags and Caves are to the southwest of Worksop and visitors can explore the network of caves. There is a museum showing the relics from the caves which date back approximately 50,000 years.

In spring, Hodsock Priory attracts thousands to its snowdrop gardens. The 800-acre estate also has an abundance of cyclamen and iris which make a colourful show.

The National Trust owned Clumber Park is just south of Worksop. Although the main mansion was demolished in 1938 various features including the walled garden and the Gothic Revival Chapel remain intact. It has a serpentine lake and acres of woodland for pleasant walks and cycle rides.