Itinerary Planner

North Nottinghamshire Three Day Itinerary

The north of Nottinghamshire, also proudly known as Robin Hood Country, is a vast area of beautiful scenery; acres of ancient forests, glorious parklands and historic houses. Add some excellent eateries offering the very best in local produce, world-class attractions, the quaintest of B&Bs and the grandest of hotels into the mix, and you’ve got a pretty amazing selection of things to do whilst spending two or three days in north Nottinghamshire.

This useful trail gives you a handy list with everything you need to plan your trip, including travel times, addresses, and links to the listing pages to find out more about the attractions. To begin creating your itinerary, click the 'Add All Items to Itinerary' button and from there, you can either keep all the destinations in the pre-prepared list, or amend the itinerary by clicking on the places you are interested in.

You can then rename, email, or print the list so it’s always to hand. You can also save your itinerary to view on your mobile phone and tablet.

Day 1 | Morning

Check in to the delightful Bridleways. Situated in a private, quiet, semi-rural setting between Mansfield and Ollerton, Bridleways offers bed & breakfast, recently refurbished accommodation in the Guest House or self-catering accommodation in the Ploughman’s cottage and deluxe static caravans for those seeking that home-away-from-home feel.

Start your day the right way with a delicious breakfast at the delightfully quaint Thaymar Tea Room. Famed for its top-notch ice cream, this tea room also offers a range of breakfast options. We suggest their hearty ‘farmhouse breakfast’ to set you up for a busy day ahead, or their ‘scrambled egg and smoked salmon bagel’ for smaller appetites.

A short drive away is Rufford Abbey, a former 12^th century Cistercian Monastery and country house set in beautiful grounds. Enjoy a gentle stroll around the lake and gardens, while little adventurers will love the fantastic children’s play area.

Next, head to the brand-new Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre. Grab a coffee in the café before heading out to walk amongst the ancient oaks and discover the legend of Robin Hood for yourself. No visit to Sherwood Forest is complete without seeing the Major Oak, a massive and majestic tree which has watched over the landscape for a millennium.

Day 1 | Afternoon

If all that walking has whet your appetite, head to the ducal Welbeck Estate for a spot of lunch in the Harley Café (we love their Stilchelton seasonal salad). Get your culture fix in the Harley Gallery, which shows contemporary exhibitions by leading visual artists, and see the Portland Collection with its internationally significant historical treasures. Don’t forget to pick up some artisan local produce from the Welbeck Farm Shop, too.

A short drive away is the breath-taking Creswell Crags, a limestone gorge honeycombed with caves. Experience their incredible archaeological discoveries, such as stone tools, the remains of ancient animals and Britain’s only verified Ice Age rock art. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any cooler, they also discovered a massive concentration of ‘witches marks’ at the end of 2018, which were believed to protect against evil spirits in the underworld. See them for yourself on their brand-new tour.

Day 1 | Evening

Just next door is the Coloured Cob Equestrian Centre. Set within 35 acres of land, it’s the perfect excuse to find yourself a noble steed and saddle up for a horseback hack across the stunning countryside and woodland. All abilities are welcome and you’re sure to be taken care of by the highly qualified, experienced instructors and their friendly and gentle equine companions.

Head to Ye Olde Bell restaurant for a fancy evening meal to round off your day in style. You can treat yourself to one of the high-end dishes from their extensive menu (such as loin of lamb crepinette with rosemary farce, pink fir apple potato, celery and mint tuilleplus) or play it safe with a traditional favourite such as steak and ale pie; there’s something for all tastes here!

Day 2 | Morning

Be sure to pack your swimsuits in the car before heading for a brisk morning stroll around the stunning grounds of Thoresby Park, which cover over a thousand acres of rich unspoilt English countryside. Next, head back to the courtyard café for a breakfast of Danish pastries and a cup of strong coffee. If the weather’s nice, why not sit outside? Don’t forget to visit the other shops in the Victorian courtyard and pick up some charming, artisan souvenirs while you’re there.

Next it’s time for a trip to the Water Meadows Swimming and Fitness Complex, one of the premier indoor water attractions in the East Midlands, where you can swim, ride the flumes and jump the waves! The centre offers a fun day out for the whole family with three water flumes, a wave machine, fun pool and water features for young children and babies.

Day 2 | Afternoon

Grab some lunch at the award-winning Ollerton Water Mill and Teashop. Situated on the edge of Sherwood Forest, Ollerton Mill dates back to 1713 and is the only working watermill in Nottinghamshire. Indulge in sandwiches, scones and cakes while gazing over the river through the glass viewing panel. Booking in advance is strongly recommended, as their afternoon tea is pretty famous in the local area…

Next, visit Bilsthorpe Heritage Museum to learn about the local coal mining history and the fascinating story of how it changed the landscape and the social development of Bilsthorpe village. The story is told through a great collection of artefacts and memorabilia dedicated to the mining industry along with knowledgeable staff (often ex-miners) on hand to guide you through the displays.

Day 2 | Evening

Finish your day with a delicious meal at the Fox and Hounds, Blidworth. This popular family owned establishment is an up to date version of the traditional English country pub. Well-known for its home-cooked British food, real ales and excellent wine, there’s always a warm welcome inside and sunny evenings draw visitors to the huge beer garden and terraces. While away the evening with one of their delicious sharing platters; seafood lovers will adore their Taste of the Sea sharer, which offers a range of smoked, grilled and fried fish teamed with cucumber pickle, sour cream and brown bread.

Day 3 | Morning

Kick off your third and final day with a visit to White Post Farm, which offers a unique day out with plenty of opportunities to get up close to the animals! There are farm animals such as cows, goats and pigs, as well as some more exotic animals such as llamas, wallabies and reptiles. There’s an outdoor play area, with a large play fort, adventure trail, den building area, trampolines and a go-kart track, and indoor play areas including a sledge run, soft play and sand pit.

If you're needing to recharge your batteries after all that excitement, then drive to the Garden Teahouse at Clumber Park. Try their Maid Marion Rarebit or the freshly made Clumber Apple Sausage Roll for a real local treat, and take a stroll around the expansive gardens and serpentine lake at this National Trust property before you leave. Be sure to visit their famous avenue of limes, a breath-taking 2 miles long.

Day 3 | Afternoon

Next it’s off to Adrenalin Jungle; with its unrivalled choice of activities, from ATV quad biking to assault courses to archery and much, much more, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a fearless daredevil or just want to dip your toe in, you’re sure to have a fun-filled afternoon here. It’s also the perfect way for kids to burn off some energy before the drive home.

Why not finish your trip on a high with dinner at Cockliffe Country House Restaurant? This stunning 17^th Century Country House is set in three acres of mature gardens within a private wood. Enjoy a dish from their superb menu, such as the fillet of beef with baby onions, pancetta and spinach, perhaps sitting out on the patio to admire some final breath-taking views over Nottinghamshire. You won’t be able to resist coming back soon…