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. While exploring, don't miss the Rebellion Gallery which delves into Nottingham’s history of protests and uprisings – and consider booking onto a Cave Tour, to explore the dungeons and secret passageways under the castle (tours depart every hour, from 11am).  

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. Every hand-made patty is given the star treatment – whether it's the Bacon Stilton Blue, slathered with Nottinghamshire stilton and crispy bacon rashers, or The Lemmy with melted cheddar, grilled jalapeños and bourbon-infused mustard. 

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. You’ll learn the real history behind this 700-year-old tale, visiting the places intertwined with the “Prince of Thieves” story: from the old County Gaol to spooky ancient caves beneath the city. Don’t forget to stop for a selfie with the statue of the famous man himself, Robin Hood, in the Castle Quarter. 

Happily, the Robin Hood Town Tour ends at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem – which according to legend is the oldest inn in England, dating back to the 12th century. It’s located near Nottingham Castle and the Museum of Nottingham Life. While there, you can explore the pub's unique cave rooms carved into its sandstone foundations, which are said to have been where Nottingham Castle’s beer was once brewed. The pub counts ghosts among its regulars, so keep your eyes peeled… 

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. For dinner, book a table at its restaurant Byron’s Brasserie, whose seasonal menu champions local ingredients. Think butter-soft braised lamb shank, spiced cauliflower fritters with tomato chutney, and cheeseboards loaded with Nottinghamshire’s finest fromages. 

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. At 11am, join the Hidden History Tour to snoop inside its secret corners – such as the beautiful Prospect Room, the Tudor Kitchens, the basement and the Admiral’s Bath caves. 

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 – such as COW Thrift and White Rose for vintage clothes, and Rough Trade for vinyl records. 

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. Pre-booking is essential, but you can stroll solo inside the caves – venturing deep underneath the city to the hidden corners that have served as a medieval tannery, wartime air-raid shelters and much more.  

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 cuisine is also proudly low-waste – so will you choose the three-course Dinner Menu, the seven-course Saturday Lunch Menu, or the 15-course Tasting Menu? It may be extravagant, but the restaurant is homely and welcoming too. 

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 – from Primal Scream to Razorlight and Supergrass. 

Start day three in one of England’s most famous forests – Sherwood Forest, the legendary home of folklore outlaw Robin Hood. Pick up a map from the visitor centre and take a walk, ride, or cycle around its traffic-free trails. Keep an eye on its events listings, too – maybe you’ll take a walking tour with the “Sheriff of Nottingham”, or try your hand at archery with the “Sherwood Outlaws”? 

Visit the main attraction in Sherwood Forest – The Major Oak, which is estimated to be around 1,000 years old., According to folklore, it provided shelter and sanctuary for Robin Hood and his Merry Men. While once you could trample right up to it, now it’s protected; snap a pic from a safe distance, and marvel at all of the things it has witnessed, from battles and two world wars to more than 50 different monarchs.

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 supposed to have married, and stop in at Launay’s restaurant for lunch. Set in a 16th-century cottage, it sources ingredients from nearby farms and producers – with a menu ranging from home-made pie of the day, to wild garlic linguine and thyme-baked camembert. There are plentiful veggie and vegan options, too. 

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 to 1814 and you can admire his apartments, manuscripts and possessions on a self-guided tour, as well as the magnificent themed gardens: Japanese, American, sub-tropical and more. To delve even further, look out for guided tours and ghost walks – and it hosts an open-air theatre in summer, featuring works by the likes of Shakespeare, Austen and Lord Byron, of course. 

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, and the town has lots of charming cafes and shops to explore, such as Violet Rose (for clothes) and Burley’s (for locally-inspired gifts).