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Things to do in Nottinghamshire
Days out in Nottinghamshire
Places to visit in Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire is a county of contrasts, from its vibrant city and bustling towns to its tranquil woodlands and welcoming villages. The county offers something for everyone within its 850 square miles.

Whether you come for just a day or decide to stay longer, there's plenty of opportunity to do as much, or as little, as you please.

Nottingham offers all the delights of a modern city - enough shops, restaurants, bars and attractions to keep the whole family occupied. Central Nottinghamshire Tourist Information is available in Smithy Row.

Explore the history of the city at Nottingham Castle, the City of Caves, and the Brewhouse Yard Museum.

Dine in restaurants and cafes showcasing cuisine from across the world and wander through medieval streets brimming with culture, from the flamboyant buildings of architect Watson Fothergill to dynamic art galleries, cinemas and theatres all within the city boundaries.

The city's shopping is widely recognised as being second-to-none.

You don't have to travel too far to find the wealth of history and culture that Nottinghamshire is world famous for. St Mary Magdalene Church in Newark is one of the finest churches in the County and the ruins of Newark's medieval castle by the River Trent are worth visiting.

Retford in the north of the County, has many fine Georgian buildings and an open air market in the Square. The town is set in "Pilgrim Fathers Country".

The stunning countryside surrounding Worksop and the 700 year old Mansfield markets is lying in wait for visitors to enjoy, in this diverse and welcoming county. The setting for these towns is nothing short of spectacular.

Sherwood Forest and part of the Vale of Belvoir, two of the UK's most beautiful landscapes, lie within Nottinghamshire. The beauty and legend of Sherwood are well known across the globe, integral to the stories about a certain gang famous for their green tights! Visit the Major Oak, legendary home to Robin Hood and his Merry Men (their full story is told at St Mary's Church in Edwinstowe, where the outlaw is said to have married Maid Marian.

Once the exclusive hunting ground of the monarch and his privileged entourage, Sherwood Forest covered more than 100, 000 acres. Now the territory is much reduced, but the history, ecology and development of the woodland can be examined at the Sherwood Forest Country Park and Visitors Centre, along with displays on medieval Sherwood and the Robin Hood legend. Some of the county's most beautiful walks and cycling routes can also be found here.

Nottinghamshire has a rich literary history. Explore Newstead Abbey, once home to the romantic poet Lord Byron, or Eastwood, the Nottinghamshire town that inspired DH Lawrence to pen his powerful and often controversial works. Nottingham provided the inspiration and setting for city-born author Alan Sillitoe's Saturday Night, Sunday Morning.

So whether you are looking to explore the best in British history, a relaxing stay in beautiful countryside, or the buzz and excitement of big-city life, Nottinghamshire can offer it all and promises a warm welcome.

For more information about Nottinghamshire, visit Experience Nottinghamshire

Days out in Nottinghamshire

• City Of Caves
  These unique hand-carved sandstone caves dating from the 13th century were almost lost for ever when the 'Broadmarsh Shopping Centre' was built in the 1960s.
  
• Clumber Park
  Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire is a magnificent 3,800 acre country park, now managed by The National Trust.
  
• Creswell Crags Museum and Education Centre
  Creswell Crags is a world famous archaeological site, set in a limestone gorge with caves and lake.
  
• Framework Knitters Museum
  The museum is located in unique restored 19th Century workshops, cottages and frameshops containing the collection of handframes which can be seen working daily.
  
• Galleries of Justice Museum
  A fun filled attraction, this museum of crime and punishment also talks about Nottingham's horrible history and is the home of the Villainous Sheriff of Nottingham.
  
• Harley Gallery
  The award-winning Harley Gallery has a national reputation for excellence and innovation.
  
• Lakeside Arts Centre
  Lakeside is the University of Nottingham's unique public arts facility based in the family-friendly surroundings of Highfields Park.
  
• Mr Straws House
  Step back in time to the early 20th century and find out how a grocer's family lived in this market town.
  
• Newstead Abbey
  Founded as a monastic house in the late twelfth century, Newstead became the Byron family seat in 1540. Newstead's most famous owner, the poet Lord Byron, sold the property in 1818.
  
• Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery
  The Duke of Newcastle built his new Ducal Palace between 1674-9, it still dominates the Castle Rock to this day. It was restored in 1878 as one of the first provincial museums of fine art.
  
• Nottingham Racecourse
  Nottingham Racecourse has a wealth of tradition, great facilities and is great value for money. The main feature is the modern Centenary Stand, complimented by the recently refurbished Grandstand. There are two enclosures to choose from.
  
• The Workhouse
  Although the name of the National Trust usually conjures up pictures of stately homes and gardens, the Workhouse is equally worthy of a visit.
  
• Vina Cooke Museum of Dolls & Bygone Childhood
  The Museum houses a large collection of dolls from the 18th century to the present day in a late 17th century Dower house and former rectory of considerable interest
  
• Wetlands Animal Park
  Set in over 32 acres and Nottighamshires only Zoo Wetlands houses more than 25 different species of animals and offers people of all ages the chance to interact with exotic and domestic animals from all over the globe.
  

Places to Visit in Nottinghamshire

• Carlton
  Carlton is a small town in Nottinghamshire, four miles north east of the city of Nottingham.
  
• Cromwell
  Situated on the old Great North Road, 130 miles North of London between the Nottinghamshire market towns of Newark and Retford, the little village of Cromwell was known to the Romans who built a Villa here close to their two mighty highways
  
• Eastwood
  Crouched atop of a windy hill straddling the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire border, Eastwood is a vibrant ex-mining town northwest of Nottingham.
  
• Greasley
  Greasley, was once the largest parish in Nottingham, nowadays you could drive through it and not even realise that you had been there!It now consists of a rural area of scattered farmsteads and houses.
  
• Laneham
  Laneham Parish is a small, Trent side village which has a total population of approximately 300 people. It is sited 13 miles due west of the city of Lincoln and 8 miles East of the market town of Retford. Laneham is split into two villa
  
• Linby
  Linby is pretty and idyllic. Great effort has been expended in preserving its condition and character from the listed buildings and old fashioned sign post to the cast iron street lighting.
  
• Mansfield
  Mansfield is a large town in Nottinghamshire, second in size only to the city of Nottingham.
• Newark-on-Trent
  Newark-on-Trent is a historic market town about 16 miles north east of Nottingham in the East Midlands and 15 miles from the historic city of Lincoln.
  
• North Leverton
  North Leverton with Habblesthorpe is a small village in North Nottinghamshire with a Big name. In fact North Leverton with Habblesthorpe is the longest place name in the country.
  
• Nottingham
  Welcome to Nottingham, a vibrant friendly city - where the past and present harmonise perfectly to create a unique destination, offering something for everyone.
  
• Southwell
  Southwell is one of Nottinghamshire’s prettiest towns with the lovely Southwell Minister, prebendal cathedral houses and historic Saracens Head pub gracing the town centre.
  
• Upper Langwith
  Upper Langwith or Langwith Bassett as it is also known is a rural area of dispersed farmsteads & individual houses that encompass an extremely pretty village with a village green which the landscaped River Poulter runs through.
  
• Worksop
  The town of Worksop in Nottinghamshire is on the edge of Sherwood Forest, 31 miles east of Sheffield.