Itinerary Planner

History Lovers Itinerary

If you fancy yourself a bit of a history buff there’s a lot to check out in Nottinghamshire. Explore ruinous castles destroyed in the Civil War and quaint houses that have remained unchanged in a century, discover antiquated artefacts and stories of those who came before us in excellently maintained museums, or sleep and dine in historic settings.

This three-day itinerary 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. Be warned – there is a lot included here and you will have a jam-packed day if you want to include every attraction!

Please note: from this list we have omitted attractions relating to both Nottinghamshire’s literary history and the Robin Hood legend. If you are interested in these areas of the county’s heritage, please click here to browse our other itineraries.

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. Don’t forget to check the listing to see if your chosen attractions are open on the day you are visiting.

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. 

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Day 1 | North Nottinghamshire

Begin your day with a wander around the scenic ruins of Newark Castle. Standing on the banks of the River Trent for over 900 years, much of the castle was destroyed in the English Civil War.

If that has piqued your interest, its time to head to the National Civil War Centre, an excellently maintained museum which documents this tumultuous era in British history with exhibitions for both children and adults.

After the museum if lunch is on your mind, Newark has some excellent eateries to try out. If you want to enjoy a locally made meal in a traditional pub, why not head to The Organ Grinder? You can enjoy not only delicious food such as pork pies & pickles, and traditional Ploughman's Lunch but also real ales, craft ales, ciders and lagers along with competitively priced wines & spirits.

Moving on to 20^th century history, Newark is also home to The National Holocaust Museum a memorial and museum dedicated to honouring the victims of the Holocaust. Hear stories of the survivors and take in exhibitions that provide perspective on pre-war Jewish life in Europe, the rise of National Socialism, the Holocaust survival and post-war justice. (Please note: this attraction is closed on Saturdays. There are some exhibitions specifically tailored to children, but some areas have age restrictions)

Looking for somewhere to stay in the north of Nottinghamshire? We recommend the quaint Dukeries Lodge in the pretty village of Edwinstowe. While you’re there, why not have a look around Saint Mary’s Church, an 800-year-old church connected to the Robin Hood legend.

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Day 2 | North Nottinghamshire

Your second day in North Nottinghamshire takes you through the Victorian era to the 20^th century. Please be aware that some of the attractions on this day are closed throughout the winter, so don’t forget to check the opening times before heading out!

The wonderful Museum of Timekeeping is open on Fridays between April and October (as of 2024 – opening times vary so please check with the museum before visiting), or through privately booked tours. This Grade II listed hall is a treasure house of horological delights features the General Post Office’s first Speaking Clock and the watch worn by Captain Scott on his ill-fated polar expedition of 1912. 

Just a three minute drive away is The Workhouse, an austere building which was pioneering in its design when it was built in 1824. Hear the stories of hard-up and hungry Victorians with regular living history events, tours and exhibitions. 

Back in Southwell town centre, food can be enjoyed at The Refectory, family owned tearooms located in the grounds of Southwell Minster serving up traditional British dishes.

If you fancy more sights from the past and don’t mind a drive, head to Mr Straw’s House 23 miles north of Southwell. This extraordinary time capsule of a house has remained virtually unchanged since Mr Straw and his family lived here in the 1920s.

As you head south towards Nottingham, stop off at the grand Papplewick Pumping Station. A feat of Victorian engineering, and exquisite in its aesthetic, visitors are taken aback by the sheer splendour of the stained-glass windows, elaborately decorated columns and polished mahogany and brass.

Arriving in Nottingham, if you’d like a historic location to rest your head, check out The Lace Market Hotel which has views of Nottingham’s oldest church, Saint Mary’s, and is conveniently located just opposite your first illustrious destination of Day 3.

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Day 3 – Nottingham city

In and around the city there are lots of historical sites to explore, and everything suggested for this day is located within a 15-minute drive from the city centre. But the first stop is the National Justice Museum. With a riveting and bloody history dating back over 500 years, this labyrinthine building served as Nottingham’s gaol and prison for many centuries. Today they hold a great variety of events and tours, or you can take a wander around exhibitions detailing Nottingham’s grisly history of law and order. You can even dine in the old Police Station cells at the Michelin recommended Iberico World Tapas!

If you fancy digging really deep into the history of Nottingham, it is worth picking up a joint ticket for both the National Justice Museum and its affiliate museum, The City of Caves. Descend underground and discover why Nottingham developed a peculiar subterranean landscape featuring over 800 man-made caves.

After a lunch at the city’s beautiful Victorian music hall The Malt Cross, hop in the car and head to Nottingham Industrial Museum at the grand Wollaton Hall. Here you can discover the city’s rich history of textiles, transport, communication, mining and power. 

If you aren’t distracted by taking a stroll around Wollaton Hall’s beautiful grounds or going inside to admire Nottingham’s Natural History Collection, next up is The Framework Knitter’s Museum in the picturesque village of Ruddington, a 20-minute drive away. This unique collection of restored cottages and workshops demonstrates how many of Nottingham’s residents would have lived when the lace and hosiery industry was Nottingham’s biggest export.

Room for a little more? Before you leave book an appointment at the William Booth Museum, just outside of the city centre. Hear how The Salvation Army was conceived by Booth at his childhood home, which has been restored to appear as it would have in 1829. (Please note: this museum is accessible by appointment only – see listing for more details).