Places to visit in Nottingham

Begin your Nottingham mini-break at the revamped Nottingham Castle and discover 1,000 years of history at the historic site, rich in Robin Hood legends.

The Lace Market was once the industrial heart of Nottingham and is now part of its lively Creative Quarter. Enjoy one of the must-do things in Nottingham and wander the quarter, stopping for lunch at one of its restaurants, including Annie’s Burger Shack, a local institution.

After lunch, the best – and most entertaining way of seeing Nottingham – is via an Ezekial Bone Robin Hood Town Tour, one of the city’s most popular things to do. Don’t forget to stop for a selfie with the statue of the famous man himself, Robin Hood, in the Castle Quarter.

Leave time for a visit to the oldest inn in England – The Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem – which was built in the 12th century, near Nottingham Castle and the Museum of Nottingham Life. The pub counts ghosts among its regulars; keep your eyes peeled for paranormal pints.

Wondering where to stay in Nottingham? How about booking into the grand Colwick Hall Hotel, the Georgian country house that was once poet Lord Byron’s ancestral home.

Be wowed by Wollaton Hall – the grand Elizabethan mansion in a deer park, which is home to a Natural History Museum and a popular thing to do in Nottingham. Movie fans will recognise it as Wayne Manor from the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises.

Nottingham doesn’t hold back when it comes to great shops.  Fashion designer Paul Smith was born in the nearby town of Beeston, so visiting his flagship store in Willoughby House is a must-do. Have a wander around shopping centres such as the Victoria Centre and The Exchange, or the  independent shops of Cobden Chambers and Hockley.

Nottingham is famous for its cave network, so another top thing to do is to head underground. You can discover this magical other-world in the winding passageways of the City of Caves.

Treat yourself to the very best cuisine Nottingham has to offer, at two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Sat Bains, where you can also stay overnight, as it has eight stylish, cosy rooms. The innovative, seasonal menu is also proudly low-waste.

You can’t come to Nottingham and not visit its legendary music venue, Rock City, one of the top things to do after dark. It’s been hosting gigs and club nights since 1980.

Start day three in one of England’s most famous forests – Sherwood Forest, home to folklore outlaw Robin Hood. Pick up a map from the visitor centre and take a walk, ride, or cycle around its trails.

Visit the main attraction in Sherwood Forest – The Major Oak, which is estimated to be around 1,000 years old, famously shelter and sanctuary for Robin Hood and his Merry Men. While once you could trample right up to it, providing now it’s protected; snap a pic from a safe distance.

Next to Sherwood Forest, you’ll find ancient Edwinstowe, a pretty village with lots of Robin Hood links. Visit the church, where Robin and Maid Marian are meant to have married, and stop in at Launay’s restaurant for lunch.

Another top thing to do in Nottinghamshire is visit the other home of Lord Byron, Newstead Abbey. This medieval monastic abbey is where the poet lived from 1808 to1814 and you can admire his apartments, manuscripts and possessions, as well as the magnificent gardens and grounds.

Finish up at Southwell, the country town that reveals a lesser-known thing to do – a visit to the Cathedral of Nottinghamshire. Southwell Minster is renowned for its pepper-pot spires and medieval carvings. Explore the town’s charming cafes and shops.