Nottinghamshire’s autumnal calendar is alive with traditional festivals and events

This autumn, Nottinghamshire will welcome back a number of major festivals and events from late summer through to October, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Mela Weekender, Trent Bridge, New Art Exchange and Victoria Embankment, FREE
30 & 31 August 2014 www.nae.org.uk
Nottingham Mela is the oldest national Mela in the UK! This year’s annual festival coincides with the One Day International India vs. England cricket match at Trent Bridge, and will celebrate South Asian arts and culture through vibrant events and activities across Nottingham. Visitors can enjoy an exciting selection of food, film, theatre, music, digital projects, family workshops, and visual arts to entertain and engage all ages and communities.


D.H. Lawrence Festival, D.H. Lawrence Heritage, Eastwood, Nottingham, FREE
5 – 25 September 2014
This annual festival celebrates the life and works of writer D.H. Lawrence, as well as the mining heritage of his birthplace in Eastwood. There is a huge variety of events on offer at this year's festival and the exhibition, 'Lawrence's War', marks the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War by exploring how the war affected Lawrence, his life, his work and the lives of those at home in Eastwood. Some charges may apply on certain events.


Fields of Battle Street Exhibition, Nottingham city centre, FREE
17 September – 12 November 2014 www.fieldsofbattle1418.org
Fields of Battle is a FREE major street exhibition which depicts the battlefields of The Great War. Nottingham is the first city, after London, to host the exhibition before it tours the UK over the next five years. The exhibition forms part of the city and county’s ambitious ‘Trent to Trenches’ programme commemorating The Great War. It comprises 66 large scale photographic panels depicting the battlefields of The Great War showing how, over the last 100 years, nature has healed the lands. It also includes a huge walk-on map of the world showing the battlefield locations and an education unit, both of which will be displayed in Nottingham’s Old Market Square.


Nottingham Comedy Festival, various venues in Nottingham, FREE
19 – 27 September 2014 www.nottscomedyfestival.co.uk
Now in its sixth year, with over 60 shows in 18 venues with all kinds of top names, there is something for everybody to enjoy. From acts off the telly to relatively new up-and-coming talent from across the UK and beyond, stand-up to improv, and children’s shows to workshops – you are guaranteed a laugh in Nottinghamshire.
Admission: Prices range from FREE to £20


On the Home Front 1939–45, Rufford Abbey Country Park, FREE
27 – 28 September 2014, 11am – 4:30pm www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/ruffordcp
Set in the beautiful grounds of historic Rufford Abbey; experience the sights, sounds, emotions, glamour and humour of wartime Britain, as the period comes alive in front of your eyes. There is plenty for all the family; 40’s music shows, swing dancing, wartime cooking, military drill demonstrations, harvesting by Land Army girls and heavy horses, period vehicles, junior boot camp and a hilarious 40’s puppet show. Car parking is £5 all day.
Photo credit: Tony Snell


Ikano Robin Hood Marathon & Half Marathon, Victoria Embankment, Nottingham
28 September 2014 www.robinhoodhalfmarathon.co.uk
This autumn, Robin Hood and his merry men will be lining up to race Nottingham’s popular Ikano Robin Hood Marathon & Half Marathon. The event is one of the biggest in the country, attracting more than 8,000 people last year. There will also be a mini marathon and schools challenge over a 1.5 mile route along the River Trent. Whether you want to take part, or cheer on the participants, it is guaranteed to be a great day out.


Goose Fair, Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham, FREE
1 – 5 October 2014
Goose Fair is one of Nottingham’s oldest traditions and has been running in Nottingham for over 700 years. It returns to Nottingham every year in October, with something for everyone to enjoy! With over 500 attractions, admire Nottingham’s skyline for miles on the Big Wheel, soar high on the rollercoaster, try for a win on hook a duck and crunch into a tasty toffee apple, or dare you ride the terrifying ghost train? Whilst here, make sure you treat yourself to the fair’s popular mushy peas and mint sauce. Charges will apply for rides.


Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival 2014, Nottingham Castle
8 – 11 October 2014 www.beerfestival.nottinghamcamra.org
The festival, which takes place against the magnificent backdrop of Nottingham Castle, attracts thousands of people every year who come to taste some of the 1,000 cask ales and 300 ciders and perries on offer. Chat to the artisan brewers and see why Nottinghamshire is known a real ale capital before enjoying a spot of street food from one of the many stalls.
Admission: Starting from £10; tickets are available to purchase online or at the Nottingham Tourism Centre.


Nottingham Festival of Words, venues in Nottingham
13 – 19 October 2014 http://nottwords.org.uk
The Nottingham Festival of Words returns in 2014 as a celebration of words for readers, writers and everyone in between. Promising a feast of creativity and diversity, the festival highlights include events with Ali Smith and Will Self, and a crime writing evening at the Galleries of Justice Museum. Taking place in cultural venues across the city, the festival will culminate in a celebration of words centred around Nottingham’s Old Market Square on Sunday 19 October. Charges apply for certain events.


British Rowing Senior Championships, Holme Pierrepont Country Park, home of the National Water Sports Centre
18 & 19 October 2014 www.britchamps.org
In October, the best rowers in the country will descend on Nottingham and go head to head to become National Champions. The Championships provide a rare opportunity to see our home-grown international superstars racing on home water, with the GB Rowing Team’s Olympic, World and European medallists facing off against each other in club colours. As well as witnessing the high-quality competition on the water, there will be lots to do on the river bank, with stalls, a restaurant and a licensed bar.


Robin Hood Game and Country Show, Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire
18 & 19 October 2014 www.robinhoodcountryshow.co.uk
From falconry to archery, jousting to fishing and all things in between, the huge Robin Hood Game & Country Show spans the entire Newark Showground and is a fantastic celebration of country life and gaming. Pose for a photograph with Robin Hood, Maid Marian and the Merry Men, and make sure you sample the delicious foods available at the Festival of Food & Drink.
Admission: Adults £10; Concessions £9; Children (5-16 years) £5; Children (under 5) FREE (or £7.50/£7/£2 if booked in advance online)


Bramley Apple Festival, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, FREE
25 October 2014 www.visitsouthwell.com
Celebrate the UK’s favourite cooking apple in its hometown of Southwell. Whether you’re a serious foodie, or just after a fun day out, the annual Bramley Apple Festival is for you! Every year, people gather to this very picturesque market town where the apple was first propagated more than 200 years ago from the garden of a cottage on Church Street.


GameCity 9, Nottingham city centre, FREE
25 October – 1 November 2014 www.gamecity.org
Europe's biggest and best loved cultural videogames festival is back! Now in its ninth year, GameCity returns to venues across the city with a mission to get Nottingham having fun. Enjoy eight days of totally FREE and fun events for all ages. There will be workshops, arcades, talks, games... and some things a little more out of the ordinary. What's more, on Saturday 1 November the Sheriff of Nottingham will challenge the people of the city to face the centuries old challenge, The Sheriff's Gauntlet. 


Robin Hood Pageant 2014, Nottingham Castle
25 & 26 October 2014
The Robin Hood Pageant returns to Nottingham Castle this autumn with thousands expected to come and celebrate our most famous outlaw, Robin Hood! The Castle grounds will be transformed into a medieval village with jousting, archery and medieval sports. You may spot Robin fighting the Sheriff’s men and romancing Maid Marian. Children can try their hands at medieval crafts, watch falconry and practice wood carving. Elsewhere, you may try turning lead into gold in the Alchemists laboratory. Tickets will be available to buy online in due course and at Nottingham Castle on the days of the Pageant.
Admission: Adults £8; Children £6; Family ticket £20; Under 4s go FREE