Rich in heritage and culture, our county is not just about Sherwood Forest. Among the legendary landscapes are literary giants, hidden caves and a crucial role in the development of Britain's history. Here’s just a few highlights of some places to visit when you’re taking a holiday in Nottinghamshire.
Sometimes the most captivating features of an area are not those which stand out immediately. To discover these gems, you must delve a little deeper. Of any city in Britain, this is perhaps most true of Nottingham, with its vast underground network of curious man-made caves.
Including The City Of Caves, Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem to Cave Escape, there are tons of fantastic venues and activities to explore in our hidden network of underground caves.
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Nottinghamshire is the home of Robin Hood and you’ll find plenty of places to visit in the city and county if you’re looking to live the legend and walk in the footsteps of England’s most captivating folklore hero. We recommend the award winning Robin Hood Tour as well as a trip to Sherwood Forest to see the Major Oak!
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If you are a cultural magpie who likes nothing better than wandering around galleries, hunting for art and craft supplies, or finding unique handmade treasures, you’ll have lots to explore in Nottingham. There are a few gems within the cinematic streets of The Lace Market, the most notable being Nottingham Contemporary, a free modern art gallery with a constantly inventive exhibition programme.
For more arts, craft and gallery attractions, click here.
Including Nottingham Cathedral and Southwell Minster and Archbishop's Palace, there are a range of stunning cathedrals and churches in Nottinghamshire. Explore our unique history at spots like St Mary's Church, which is the largest remaining Medieval building in Nottingham, with notable gravesites and a legacy that stretches all the way back to the Robin Hood tales.
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Nottinghamshire’s country parks and gardens are always a popular place to explore outdoors and take in a breath of fresh air. With some attractions open almost all year round, our country parks and gardens are great if you want a family day out with a picnic in the summer, get active on a bike or foot, spot wildlife and enjoy annual events and festivals.
As well as Sherwood Forest, we recommend Thoresby Park, Wollaton Hall & Deer Park and Creswell Crags.
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There's a whole host of fabulous attractions to visit across Nottinghamshire that are perfect for all the family to enjoy. Including theme parks like Sundown Adventureland and free venues like Stonebridge City Farm, there is something for everyone.
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Nottinghamshire is packed with amazing historical homes, ancient castles, and grand country estates.
Nottingham may be world-renowned as the home of Robin Hood’s arch enemy, but it also has some other very worthwhile claims to fame too. Firstly, you’ll find caves dating back to Anglo Saxon times underneath the city centre - you’ll be able to find out more at Nottingham Castle, venturing down to Mortimer's Hole. Charles I raised his standard at Nottingham Castle to effectively signify the start of the conflict, while Newark Castle was held under siege at several points during the war.
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Nottingham’s rich history, fabulous collection of historical homes, and art galleries amount to a brilliant assortment of museums to explore in the county. For a day of educational fun there is a lot to do and see, and with free entry to lots of attractions, you won’t break the bank.
Some of the most popular museums in our region include the free Natural History Museum at Wollaton Hall, the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum and the National Justice Museum.
Click here to find more museums in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Whether you want to wander through wildflower meadows, explore ancient woodland or watch the wildlife while you get away from it all, Nottinghamshire has an abundance of green, open spaces.
The 450-acre country park, Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, was designated a National Nature Reserve in 2002 and is home to hundreds of species of bird, insect, mammal, fungi, tree and plant. Attenborough Nature Reserve is just a short drive or bus ride from Nottingham city centre, close to the bustling town of Beeston. You will find 145 hectares of lakes, wetland and grassland which is a natural habitat and attracts all sorts of wildlife from herons to pine martins.
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Including renowned theatres, music venues and comedy nights perfect for date nights or the whole family, Nottinghamshire is the place to be!
The city and county boast some spectacular theatre venues. Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham Arts Theatre and the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall all offer a variety of diverse performances throughout all seasons to name just a few.
For live music, the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham has hosted world-renowned musical stars such as Sir Elton John, Oasis, and Duran Duran as well as comedic legends Lee Evans and John Bishop. Metronome sees a diverse line-up of moving image, live performance and spoken word from across the country and beyond.
The Cornerhouse, located in the city centre, is one of Nottingham's best-loved entertainment venues. At this unique venue, you can also visit The Lost City Adventure Golf for a spot of crazy golf or enjoy a veriety of games at Funstation. For those feeling more adventurous, you can also try axe throwing at Axed Nottingham!
For more theatre and entertinament recommendations, click here.
Do you have the makings of a Houdini? Will you beat the clock and avoid a terrible fate? Can you escape without throttling your teammates? There's only one way to find out!
Combining adrenaline, creativity and adventure, escape rooms have become all the rage in recent years and Nottinghamshire is lucky to have a bucketful for you to try. Perfect for rainy days, alternative dates, or when you just fancy trying something completely different, choose from the curious, the clever, or the downright creepy.
Click here to learn more and explore our escape rooms.
We've rounded-up the best accessible attractions in our region, ready to explore. Many of our attractions have worked to ensure that their building and facilities are accessible for all, with some also providing specialised events such as relaxed sessions or performances.
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Dogs are curious little creatures and certainly a good companion on adventurous travels, so bring along your canine friend and go on an endeavour to explore all the best of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Click here for our recommendations for pet friendly attractions and venues.
Nottinghamshire’s stories by rebel authors and lovelorn poets have been intriguing visitors for many years. Today Nottingham is a UNESCO City of Literature, recognising not only the astonishing impact these writers have made to the literary world, but also celebrating its appeal to visitors from across the globe.
Nottinghamshire is home to a wealth of literary greats. The novelist DH Lawrence came from the humble beginnings of Eastwood and the surrounding landscapes were an inspiration for much of his work. You can find out more at the DH Lawrence Birthplace Museum.
The notorious poet Lord Byron had two ancestral homes around Nottingham. Newstead Abbey is now a country park and you can also access the historic house. Or if you want to stay at a venue with style then you can try Colwick Hall Hotel, a grade II listed Georgian manor, and another former Byron family home.
Click here to explore our literary sites and tours in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
There is a wealth of cultural experiences to explore through our market towns and villages. Try Southwell, home to Southwell Minster, making it the smallest cathedral town in the UK, and here you'll also find a National Trust managed Victorian Workhouse & Infirmary telling the story of this 'welfare institution'.
In the north of the county there's another National Trust property in Worksop and at Mr Straw's House the 1920s seem frozen in time. Or why not head to Babworth and Scrooby and pick up the Mayflower Trail to discover more about the Pilgrim Fathers origins before they left for the New World.
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