Things To Do This Spring Bank Holiday Weekend

Another Bank-holiday is on the horizon and there are some truly brilliant things happening across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to enjoy. Including fun for the whole family, staycation ideas and date night plans, keep reading to see our top picks of things to do to from Friday 23rd - Monday 26th May 2025, which include spa days, something to keep the little ones entertaines and major music happenings.

If you’ll be using the long weekend to spend more time in the great outdoors we’ve got recommendations for perfect picnic spots below, or our website has loads of info on walking and cycling routes.

Browse our What’s On calendar for tons more events, check out our Things To Do section for Nottingham's top attractions, and remember we also have some suggested itineraries to help you see and do as much as possible.

Don’t forget - if you are out having a great time in the city or out in the county, you can use #LoveNotts to share the love, or tag us using @visitnotts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Spa Days

Unwind this Bank Holiday in the beautiful backdrop of Nottinghamshire. We boast some of the best Spas in the UK, including some based in the stunning scenery of Sherwood Forest. Spa Days are also the perfect treat to enjoy with a friend, relative or loved one, so why not spend a day in a calm, comfortable spa with that special someone and forget all the worries of the world!

Nottinghamshire offers a range of spas from the super modern and state of the art, to the more traditional and chic. Some of our top picks include Eden Hall Spa, set within the grounds of a beautiful listed mansion and the Urban Escape Spa (pictured), which is based in a convenient City Centre location in the 4 star Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Spa at Ye Olde Bell is located just off the A1! It has a thermal area that offers a collection of experiences like no other.

These experiences will invigorate, restore and liven your senses or simply help you relax and find your sense of place.

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Explore the Outdoors

It’s a beautiful time to get outside and explore Nottinghamshire’s natural surroundings, and the area is full of outdoor spaces to exercise and relax in. From rural walks out in the countryside to pretty city centre parks, you’ll find lots of places to enjoy spending time outdoors. If you’ll be exploring on two wheels there are plenty of cycle paths to choose from, from gentle canalside routes to challenging mountain bike paths through ancient woodland.

Or maybe you want to try a walking tour and see Nottingham on foot. We have a range of unique and fun tours, including free self-led trails or guided tours. We recommend the award winning Ezekial Bone's Robin Hood Tours of Nottingham. This is a fantastic way to learn about the history of Nottingham while getting active and enjoying the outdoors.

For more ideas and inspiration to enjoy Nottinghamshire’s great outdoors, click here.

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Best of British

Enjoy the best of British this Bank Holiday weekend and explore the unique history and culture of Nottinghamshire and the UK.

Starting with everyone’s favourite outlaw, why not walk in the footsteps of Robin Hood and pay a visit to Sherwood Forest (pictured) or wander around Edwinstowe? You can discover more about the legend here, or discover more rebels and pioneers of Nottinghamshire here.

We also have dedicated literary tours, trails and attractions for all of the bookworms out there. Explore the ancestral home of Lord Byron, the D.H. Lawrence birthplace museum and Nottingham Castle just to name a few. And finally, no trip to Nottingham would be complete without a tour of Bromley House Library - one of the few remaining subscription libraries in the country which houses nearly 50,000 books.

Of course, Nottinghamshire has some stunning and famous market towns. Explore Southwell and learn about its history (which includes the English Civil War and the Bramley Apple), visit the grave of Lord Byron and Ada Lovelace in Hucknall or take in the beautiful views of Eastwood, which has inspired countless visitors and residents such as D.H. Lawrence.

For more surprising UK destinations and attractions that you can visit around Nottinghamshire, see our hidden gems blog and see how many you already know about!

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Unmissable Events

Nottinghamshire is hosting some big events this Spring Bank Holiday weekend, which are perfect for planning a UK Staycation or holiday around. For our full events calendar, click here.

Dot to Dot Festival takes place on Sunday 25th May at various venues round Nottingham. Since starting in Nottingham in 2005 Dot To Dot Festival has established itself as the UK’s premier festival for unearthing the hottest new talent around, alongside established acts from all over the globe. The festival takes place in Manchester, Bristol, and Nottingham and has put acts such as The 1975, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Mumford & Sons, Florence + The Machine, Ed Sheeran and The XX on the map.

Catch the stunning Luminarium: Myraid at Lakeside Arts from 24th May - 1st June. LuminiMax combines smaller luminarium structures (Lumini) to create one magical experience. Explore the beautiful colours and patterns of each inflatable dome in the enormous structure captivating the senses through natural light. Luminaria are hugely popular all over the world, and the Nottingham-based company has delivered amazing experiences for local families for over 30 years. LuminiMax is designed to allow the Lumini to be enjoyed within the community, connecting with local people for years to come.

Step back in time to the Middle Ages as Sherwood Forest is transformed by The Gathering Of The North. Expect a historical immersive experience of the Middle Ages full of traditional village traders, an afternoon full of thrilling tournaments and roaming street actors and performances offers a rich programme of activites to get involved in. Running from 10am to 4pm each day of the Bank Holiday, the event provides ample time for visitors to explore and enjoy all the activities on offer.

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Family Fun

There are tons of fun and family-friendly events to keep your little ones entertained this Spring Bank Holiday. 

From Saturday 24th May to Sunday 1st June, familys can experience a thrilling high speed space exploration back to Earth with this immersive, 360 degrees, 3D virtual reality experience. Tickets are just £6, so what are you waiting for, created by the award-winning Alchemy VR, this experience is a thrilling ride previously experienced only by a handful of astronauts and is narrated by Tim Peake himself. It's an experience not to be missed.

Running throughout the year, at both YMCA Newark and Sherwood Activity Centre, this all new club will keep your little ones active, engaged and filled with fun. The YMCA Y- Kids offers unlimited access to fun-filled activities after school and on weekends—helping your child build confidence, resilience, and new skills every day. Different memberships are avaible so families can find something that is best suited for their family and you can browse all options here.

Looking for something to do with the teens in your life then be sure to check out The Dales Music and Drama Groups performance of 'Noises Off'. Called “the funniest farce ever written,” Noises Off presents a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called Nothing’s On. The night promises to be one full of fun and laughter, perfect for you and your family to create lasting memories at. Please note: although theres no age restriction put in place the show does feature some slight adult themes and light profanity meaning it is suggested that only those ages 12 and above should be in attendance.

For more family events and things to do, browse our What’s On calendar.