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16 Top Tourist Attractions & Places to Visit in Nottingham

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Nottingham, county town of Nottinghamshire, is built on a number of hills on the north bank of the River Trent. The city has a long tradition as a trading hub and manufacturing center and is known for its fine lace.

More recently, it has become a popular cultural destination boasting numerous attractions, including two large theaters and several art galleries. It also hosts many great festivals and events, one of the most popular being the annual Nottingham Goose Fair .

Known as the "Queen of the Midlands" on account of its broad streets and picturesque parks, such as the Arboretum, Embankment, and Colwick Park, Nottingham is a great base from which to explore nearby Sherwood Forest , legendary home of Robin Hood. In fact, the image of this most famous of English folk heroes is everywhere around the city, and although his once enormous woodland hangout is now considerably reduced, it lends the city a truly unique atmosphere.

To learn more about what is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in England, read our list of the top attractions and things to do in Nottingham.

See also: Where to Stay in Nottingham

1. Old Market Square

2. the lace market, 3. nottingham castle, 4. the city of caves, 5. national justice museum, 6. theatre royal & royal concert hall, 7. highfields park, 8. green's windmill and science centre, 9. d. h. lawrence birthplace museum, 10. the great central railway, 11. robin hood way and sherwood forest, 12. papplewick pumping station, 13. wollaton hall, 14. newstead abbey, 15. southwell minster, 16. framework knitters' museum, where to stay in nottingham for sightseeing.

Old Market Square

Nottingham's old city center boasts several important tourist attractions. It's here that you'll find Old Market Square, the largest such public space in England and home to the Nottingham Tourism Centre , an important first stop before exploring the city. On the east side of the square is the Neoclassical Council House, crowned by an imposing dome.

While strolling through the city's historic center, be sure to head over to the Nottingham Playhouse for a look at the remarkable Sky Mirror . Created by sculptor Anish Kapoor, this 19-foot-wide stainless steel dish points upwards and provides a unique look at the sky above.

Also of interest here is Nottingham Speaker's Corner, the first such public speaking venue outside London. The impressive Guildhall is also close by.

Location: Smithy Row, Nottingham

The Lace Market

Just a short walk away from the Old Market Square is the historic Lace Market. Once the heart of Britain's lace industry, this charming area is now protected as one of the city's most important heritage zones. Today, these former red brick warehouses and display rooms house numerous shops, restaurants, boutique accommodations - and yes, lace makers.

In addition to these fun things to do, the neighborhood is also home to some of the city's top sightseeing opportunities, including a visit to the former courthouse that now serves as the National Justice Museum. Great walking tours of the Lace Market are available and can be booked at the Nottingham Tourist Centre.

Nottingham Castle

Nottingham Castle affords excellent views of the town and is notable for its bronze statues of Robin Hood and his merry men by Nottingham-born sculptor James Woodford. Destroyed in 1651 by Parliamentary forces, the original castle was replaced by an Italian-style palace belonging to the Duke of Newcastle.

Today, it's home to two great collections: the Sherwood Foresters Regimental Museum, with its impressive collection of medals and regimental uniforms; and the Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery . Among the latter's treasures are beautiful 6th-century Anglo-Saxon brooches, medieval ceramics and alabaster carvings, and stoneware from the 17th and 18th centuries.

There's also an ethnographic gallery (including jade jewelry from New Zealand, Burmese bronze statues, and Indo-Persian steelware). The picture collection in the Long Gallery includes works by Charles le Brun, Richard Wilson, William Dyce, Marcus Stone, and Ben Nicholson.

The Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard , just a few yards away, is also worth a visit. This collection of 17th-century cottages houses displays portraying the history of the people of Nottingham.

Address: Lenton Road, Nottingham

Official site: www.nottinghamcastle.org.uk/

The City of Caves

Numerous caves exist in the sandstone underneath Nottingham, including the spectacular 322-foot-long Mortimer's Hole directly below the castle. Part of the excellent City of Caves attraction, this particular formation takes its name from Roger Mortimer, lover of Queen Isabella, wife of Edward II (legend has it Mortimer once hid here from the jealous king).

In all, more than 450 caves lie beneath Nottingham, the largest known grouping of caves in the country, and have been used for centuries for storage and defense. Accessed from Garner's Hill, fascinating public tours of the caves are available.

Location: Garner's Hill, Nottingham

Official site: www.nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk/venue/city-of-caves/

National Justice Museum

A must-see attraction in the Lace Market is the popular National Justice Museum . It's located in the city's former court and jailhouse, a building that has been in use since 1780.

Highlights of the museum include its courtrooms and a jail that dates from the 14th century. There are also fascinating exhibits relating to matters of crime and punishment. Be sure to check out the displays about Robin Hood.

Other nearby attractions worth visiting include Nottingham Contemporary , a modern art gallery, and the National Ice Centre , one of the country's largest ice-skating rink facilities.

Address: High Pavement, Nottingham

Official site: www.nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk

Nottingham's Theatre Royal

Since it opened in 1865, Nottingham's Theatre Royal has been a focal point of the city's social and entertainment life. Since then, this landmark building has expanded in size and function, and is now the centerpiece of a cultural facility that includes the more modern Royal Concert Hall.

In addition to theatrical productions including everything from musicals to murder mysteries and Shakespearian tragedies, locals and visitors alike are also treated to touring ballet performances and concerts. If you're traveling through Nottingham with kids in the Christmas period, be sure to check out their always popular pantomime, a tradition that's been running since 1971.

Address: Theatre Square, Nottingham

Official site: https://trch.co.uk

Highfields Park

Part of the University of Nottingham, Highfields Park is a splendid 52-acre green space full of exotic plants and trees. Fun things to do here include boating, walking, picnicking, lawn bowls, croquet, and putting. Children can burn off steam in the play area, and the Lakeside Arts Centre stages special events.

Another park worth visiting is the Arboretum , home to lovely gardens and some of the city's most popular festivals. Close by is the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, the city's oldest church, known for its 19th-century glasswork. It's also the city's second largest religious center after the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of St. Barnabas.

Address: University Boulevard, Lenton, Nottingham

Official site: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/HighfieldsPark

Green's Windmill and Science Centre

Lovely Green's Mill, once home of mathematical physicist George Green (1793-1841), was built in 1807 only to be rebuilt in the 1980s after a devastating fire in 1947. Today, the amazing inner workings of Green's Windmill can be seen over four floors, each of them providing an insight into the flour-making process (you can even buy some to take home with you).

The science center itself is aimed at youngsters and includes a discovery zone with fun interactive displays. Exhibits focus on light, magnetism, and electricity.

Address: Windmill Lane, Sneinton, Nottingham

Official site: www.greensmill.org.uk

D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum

The D. H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum in the Eastwood area of Nottingham combines three unique attractions focusing on the famous English author. The Blue Line Trail, a self-guided walking tour modeled on the Freedom Trail in Boston, links the Heritage Centre and the Birthplace Museum.

The museum is home to a fascinating exhibition on the social history of Eastwood during the writer's lifetime, including recreations of a Victorian schoolroom, a grocery shop, and a mock-up of a mine that visitors can crawl through. There's also an art gallery, bistro, and conference area.

Also of interest are displays about family life in the mining community that shaped Lawrence's formative years, as well as a chance to view the rooms where the family lived. Personal items and some of Lawrence's original watercolors are also on display.

Address: 8a Victoria Street, Eastwood, Nottingham

Official site: www.lleisure.co.uk/d-h-lawrence-birthplace-museum/

The Great Central Railway

Chugging along some 10 miles of track between Ruddington Fields station to East Leake and Loughborough, the Great Central Railway (GCRN) makes an excellent excursion when visiting Nottingham. Highlights of this heritage railway include a number of fully restored steam and diesel train engines and rolling stock, as well as fully functioning workshops, vintage buses, a café, and shops.

Model train enthusiasts will want to check out the attraction's large miniature railway layout. Those traveling with kids should plan ahead and try to catch fun events like the special Santa and Christmas trains.

Address: Mere Way, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire

Official site: www.gcrn.co.uk

Sherwood Forest

Stretching all the way from Nottingham Castle to Sherwood Forest, the 104-mile-long Robin Hood Way passes many attractions associated with the legendary Robin Hood. The trail also goes through the Clumber Country Park and past Rufford Abbey, as well as Robin Hood Hills, Thieves Wood, and Fountain Dale.

The highlight, of course, is spending time within famous Sherwood Forest, the most important area landmark associated with Robin Hood. Today, this famous woodland encompasses more than 1,000 acres surrounding the village of Edwinstowe, including the 450-acre Sherwood Forest Country Park .

Visitors come each year to enjoy events such as the week-long Robin Hood Festival . Highlights include its recreation of medieval times and characters, including knights and court jesters.

Other big draws include the Sherwood Forest Art and Craft Centre and the 1,000-year-old Major Oak . You can also visit Thynghowe, a medieval meeting place where people came to resolve disputes.

Address: Mansfield Road, Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire

Papplewick Pumping Station

Widely considered one of the finest examples of Victorian industrial design in Britain, the Papplewick Pumping Station is a superb example of 19th century craftsmanship. It boasts a range of original features including an ornamental cooling pond and a Boiler House complete with six Lancashire Boilers, all set amidst formal landscaped grounds.

The ornate Engine House is home to the original twin beam engines, built by James Watt in 1884. Here visitors find a combination of Victorian engineering and artistic design, including beautiful stained glass windows, elaborately decorated columns and polished mahogany and brass.

Another feat of engineering can be seen at Bestwood Country Park . The park is home to the Winding Engine House , the last remaining vestige of the large colliery that once dominated the landscape.

Address: Rigg Lane, Ravenshead, Nottingham

Official site: www.papplewickpumpingstation.org.uk

Wollaton Hall

Located near the university, spectacular Wollaton Hall is an Elizabethan mansion set amid a 500-acre deer park. Built around 1580 by a local coal mine owner, this attractive mansion now houses the Nottingham City Museums and Galleries' Natural History Collection, as well as the superb Nottingham Industrial Museum (the latter is housed in the estate's former stables).

Highlights include Nottingham's oldest pipe organ, plus the chance to explore the six galleries of the natural history museum. Admission is free, though a fee is attached to the excellent tours on offer here. There are also two on-site cafés, along with a gift shop.

Address: Wollaton Hall, Nottingham

Official site: https://wollatonhall.org.uk

Newstead Abbey, Nottingham

An easy 20-minute drive north of Nottingham is Newstead Abbey. This delightful attraction is the former family home of poet Lord Byron, whose tomb is in Newstead parish church. It was originally an Augustinian abbey founded in 1170 by Henry II, and many of the original structures can still be seen, including the west front of the church, the refectory, the chapterhouse (now a chapel), and the cloisters.

Byron's rooms have been preserved as they were in his lifetime, with many of his mementos on display. Be sure to also explore the lovely garden, with its many old and rare trees, as well as the Japanese, formal, and tropical gardens, and lakes and streams in the abbey grounds.

Location: Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire

Official site: www.newsteadabbey.org.uk

Southwell Minster

About 15 miles northeast of Nottingham, Southwell is a small market town that makes a good base for the exploration of Robin Hood country. Charles I stayed in the Saracen's Head before giving himself up to the Scots in 1646, thus beginning a long period of imprisonment ending with his execution.

Other historic buildings of note include the heritage houses lining Church Street and Westgate. The old Methodist Church is also worth seeing.

Of particular interest is 12th-century Southwell Minster (the nave and transepts of this period have been preserved, as have its three Norman towers). The most exquisite part of the minster is undoubtedly the 13th-century chapterhouse, with its wonderful doorway, a profusion of beautiful naturalistic leaves and flowers, vines, grapes, animals, and human figures.

Address: Church Street, Southwell, Nottinghamshire

Official site: www.southwellminster.org

Framework Knitters' Museum

Here's one for traveling knitters: the Framework Knitters' Museum. Set up as a "living museum" in the small village of Ruddington just a few minutes south of Nottingham, this fascinating museum celebrates a craft that's been a staple of the region for over 400 years.

As you stroll around the museum's collection of historic cottages and workshops, you'll see knitters at work, keeping things very much alive with displays and techniques that have been around for generations. A great tearoom is located on-site, along with a well-stocked shop.

Address: Chapel Street, Ruddington, Nottingham

Official site: https://frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk

If you're visiting Nottingham for the first time, the city center makes a great base. Here, you'll find attractions such as Old Market Square, Nottingham Castle, and Mortimer's Hole, as well as plenty of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Below are some highly rated hotels in this convenient and central location:

Luxury Hotels:

  • On a quiet cul-de-sac, a short stroll from the city center, the pet-friendly, boutique Hart's Hotel , with compact, contemporary rooms and a popular restaurant next door, lies a six-minute stroll from Nottingham Castle.
  • Less than 10 minutes on foot to Old Market Square and the castle, Crowne Plaza Hotel Nottingham has an indoor pool, fitness center, and comfortable guest rooms, while the contemporary Park Plaza Nottingham is even closer to the castle, near fabulous shops and restaurants.

Mid-Range Hotels:

  • A mere five-minute walk from the city center and steps from the popular Rock City music venue, Roomzzz Nottingham City offers fresh modern apartments with full kitchens. Breakfast is included in the rates.
  • Nearby, the glass-encased Premier Inn Nottingham City Centre Hotel has comfy, modern rooms in a quiet location.
  • A little closer to the city center, a short stroll from Old Market Square and the castle, Best Western Plus Nottingham City Centre is popular for its handy location, comfortable beds, and reasonable rates.

Budget Hotels:

  • In a fantastic location, steps from Nottingham Castle and Mortimer's Hole, the pet-friendly Travelodge Nottingham Central , with basic modern rooms, offers excellent value, as does the nearby Ibis Nottingham Centre , a little farther east.
  • Although a little farther from the city center, the Travelodge Nottingham Riverside Hotel is also worth considering and offers no-frills rooms and free parking.

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  • Wollaton Hall and Park
  • National Justice Museum
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  • Framework Knitters' Museum
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13 amazing places to visit in nottingham for a great day out [2024].

I think it comes as no surprise to anyone that I love Nottingham.

It’s such a great city, and there are so many unique things to do there.

However, it probably isn’t the first city that jumps to people’s minds when they’re considering a UK city break .

But that needs to change because I can guarantee that anyone who visits Nottingham will have a fab time there!

In this post, I’ve rounded up some of the very best places to visit in Nottingham.

So read on and start planning your weekend away.

1. Attenborough Nature Reserve

sunset-on-lake-at-attenborough-nature-reserve

Address: Barton Lane, Attenborough, Nottingham NG9 6DY

Phone number: 0115 972 1777

Yes, this nature reserve is named after our beloved Sir David Attenborough.

This automatically makes it one of the best places to visit in Nottingham, right?

In fact, he opened the park himself in 1966!

Best known for being home to a number of bird species, Attenborough Nature Reserve provides many rarely sighted birds with a home.

The reserve covers an enormous 350 acres and is located on the site of what was once a former gravel pit.

It has since been converted into a hub for flora and fauna.

The reserve is run by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust who do fantastic work to help preserve the wonderful wildlife in Nottinghamshire.

Located less than 4.5 miles away from Nottingham city centre, it’s one of the best places to visit in Nottingham for those able to travel a little bit out.

2. Old Market Square

city-centre-shopfronts-with-fountain-in-front-market-square-notingham-places-to-visit-in-nottingham

Address: Old Market Square, Nottingham NG1 2DT

Phone number: 0115 841 5554

This lovely square is the largest public space in the UK after London’s famous Trafalgar Square.

And it’s fair to say it rivals it in terms of beauty!

Front and centre of the square is the impressive Council House.

Crowned by a dome, it’s the focal point of this part of the city.

The square hosts events such as the city’s Winter Wonderland and a number of farmers’ markets throughout the year.

It seems there is always something happening in this beating heart of Nottingham.

The square is filled with shops, bars, coffee shops and more, making it is the perfect place to start your day in Nottingham.

Make sure you try out one of the best bottomless brunches in Nottingham or vegan restaurants in Nottingham before you leave.

The Tourism Centre is also located by the square, just in case you need any additional info during your time here!

3. Wollaton Hall & Deer Park

view-of-wollaton-hall-country-house-from-behind-bush-across-park

Address: Wollaton Hall & Deer Park. Nottingham NG8 2AE

Phone number: 0115 876 3100

Wollaton Hall is a spectacular Elizabethan mansion set on extensive grounds where deer can be found roaming freely.

The Hall was the setting for Wayne Manor in the Batman film The Dark Knight Rises .

And with all its grandeur it’s not hard to see why.

The Hall is also home to Nottingham’s Natural History Museum, which has been located here since 1926.

It also houses the Nottingham Industrial Museum, meaning there’s plenty of history to explore inside the walls of this stunning building!

Daily tours of the Hall are available to visitors, and while wandering through the rooms of the Hall, you’ll feel like you’re living in your very own period drama. Trust me!

Wollaton Hall also has its very own walled botanical garden, which is situated by the stable block and is maintained by volunteers.

4. The Lace Market

city-centre-street-with-orange-buildings-the-lace-market

The Lace Market area of Nottingham was once the centre of the lace industry in Britain.

These days, it is one of Nottingham’s most important heritage zones, and the beautiful red-brick buildings are home to some of the city’s best shops and restaurants.

As well as lace-makers, of course!

Along with Hockley, the Lace Market is the oldest area of Nottingham city, having over one thousand years of history coursing through its streets.

You can book a walking tour of the streets at the Tourism Centre if you so wish.

But it’s equally fun to roam the pretty district of your own accord, keeping an eye out for one of the many hidden gems.

people-walking-in-front-of-hockley-broadway-cinema-at-night

Hockley is Nottingham’s bohemian hotspot, and its Victorian buildings house everything from tattoo parlours and record stores to second-hand bookstores and vintage clothing stores.

Some of the most amazing places to visit in Nottingham are tucked away in the streets of Hockley.

So it should certainly be on your list of places to visit while you’re in Nottingham.

One such gem can be found in the shape of Broadway Cinema , which is a cultural leader for independent cinema, arts and technology in the Midlands.

Hockley hosts various festivals and events throughout the year, including the popular multi-venue music festival Hockley Hustle .

The district is also brought to life during the city’s Pride event each year.

6. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

ye-olde-trip-to-jerusalem-the-oldest-inn-in-england

Address: Brewhouse Yard, 1, Nottingham NG1 6AD

Phone number:  0115 947 3171

No trip to Nottingham would be complete without paying a visit to the oldest inn in Britain, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem .

One of the best indoor activities in Nottingham , you can tie it in with a trip to Nottingham Castle, as it’s nestled below the castle, tucked into the towering sandstone cliffs.

There are loads of cosy nooks and crannies in this lovely little venue that take you back in time.

When you visit, you really feel as though you can feel the history of the place seeping out of the walls.

It’s quite fun to think you could be sat in the same seat as a famous knight once sat before heading off to battle!

History aside, it’s just an all-round nice pub.

So if you’re craving a good pint after a long day of seeing the sights, then make your way down here and relax.

7. Nottingham Castle

Address: Nottingham Castle Trust, Lenton Road, Nottingham NG1 6EL

Phone number: 0115 876 1450

The striking Nottingham Castle sits atop Castle Rock and has 40-metre-high cliffs to its eastern and western sides.

It has been around in some format or another since 1067, so if you want to walk through a piece of living history, then this is the place to do it.

The castle has staged many a historical event in its time, including the final showdown in the legends of Robin Hood.

Fine art from across Europe can be seen in the Long Gallery of the Castle, and the display includes some fantastic works created by artists from Nottinghamshire itself.

The castle has also been used as a royal residence from time to time in the past.

So if you want to follow in the footsteps of royalty, then make your way to Nottingham Castle for a dose of royal life.

8. The Arboretum

autumn-yellow-leaves-on-branch-during-daytime

Address: Nottingham Arboretum, Waverley Street, Nottingham NG7 4HF

This beautiful Victorian park was opened by the Sheriff of Nottingham in 1852, and it has a certain magical quality about it.

It is Nottingham’s oldest public park and has remained largely unchanged since it was designed over a century and a half ago.

The park is home to over 800 trees from sixty different species.

And as you wander through the trees you will come across small lagoons and cannons from times gone by.

There’s also a stunning pagoda-style war memorial in the park’s centre which houses a bell, said to be looted from a Cantonese temple.

J.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, lived and worked in Nottingham in the 1880s, and it’s widely believed that the beautiful Arboretum inspired Barrie’s fictional setting of Neverland.

What could be closer to a real-life fairy tale than that?

9. Sneinton Dragon

Photo Credit: Black and White

Address: Sneinton Hermitage, Nottingham NG2 4BT

This striking 7-foot-tall stainless-steel creation is a sculpture by Nottingham born artist, Robert Stubley.

The impressive dragon has a 15-foot wingspan, and it is perched on the corner of Manvers Street and Sneinton Hermitage.

The sculpture was commissioned in 2006 during an urban regeneration project in the city.

During the project, local residents were asked what piece of street art they would like to represent the vibrant community of Sneinton, to which they naturally responded that they wanted a dragon.

There is some discussion that the dragon is meant to be representative of a metaphorical monster called “Slum”.

This monster was dreamed up in the Edwardian period as a symbol of the high mortality rates and poverty rates in the area.

During this time, overcrowding had become an issue after the village had been absorbed into the city of Nottingham.

Whether it’s a representation of that monster or the locals just liked the idea of having a dragon on the corner is up to you to decide.

10. Nottingham’s Caves

caves-inside-hillside-city-of-caves-places-to-visit-in-nottingham

Address: 18 Angel Row, Nottingham NG1 6HL

Phone number: 0115 947 5241

Nottingham has an extensive network of underground caves below its streets.

One of the known entrances into the gloomy underground world of the caves is through The Bell Inn , a pub that has stood at the edge of the city’s Old Market Square for nearly 600 years.

The pub is rumoured to be haunted.

And it’s no wonder that such rumours about it have circulated given the spooky atmosphere you feel when you descend into the depths of the caves below it.

Nottingham has the highest number of man-made caves in all of Europe.

And while the Bell Inn Caves are lesser known than some of Nottingham’s other caves, they are equally as mysterious and well worth the trip for anyone who wants to take a peek into the city’s history.

The caves were used for various reasons including as dormitories for monks and for brewing and storing ale.

A relatively large portion of the network is well-preserved to this day.

To access the Bell Inn Caves, you need to go through a storeroom which is next to the men’s toilets in the pub.

From here, follow the stairs to sink deep into the caverns, and slip through the trap door if you dare go still further.

“At your own risk” tours can be taken of this spooky maze.

Enquire at the bar during quieter hours or at the Nottingham Tourism Centre.

11. Green’s Windmill

greens-windmill-sneinton-on-grassy-hill-on-sunny-day-places-to-visit-in-nottingham

Address: Windmill Ln, Sneinton, Nottingham NG2 4QB

Phone number: 0115 915 6878

Green’s Windmill can be found in Sneinton.

It was built by the father of notable scientist and mathematician, George Green, in 1807.

And over 200 years later it is still a thing of great beauty and public interest.

In 1947, the mill suffered bad fire damage, and it was not restored until the 1980s.

In 1986, the windmill became a working mill again, and to this day it can be seen at work.

As well as making a pretty picture, the mill is also a museum and science centre which teaches new generations about the work of George Green.

It’s definitely one of the best places to visit in Nottingham for families!

12. Clumber Park

historic-house-with-green-lawn-and-pond-in-clumber park-places-to-visit-in-nottingham

Address: Worksop, Nottinghamshire S80 3AZ

Phone number: 01909 476592

This beautiful National Trust property is open throughout the year to visitors.

With over 3800 acres of parkland, farmland and woodland for you to roam through, Clumber Park is easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in Nottingham.

Much of the original Clumber Park estate has survived, including some beautiful 19th-century glasshouses, despite the mansion being demolished in 1938.

Ticket prices are £4 for adults and £2 for children.

And if you don’t fancy exploring on foot, you can hire bikes to cycle across this beautiful park.

Prices start at £8 for two hours.

13. University Park Campus and Highfields Park

river-and-historic-building-nottingham-university-park-campus-and-highfields-park-places-to-visit-in-nottingham

Address: University Park Campus, Nottingham NG7 2RD

The University of Nottingham has one of the most beautiful campuses in England if I do say so myself!

Highfields Park is the crowning jewel of the campus, with a huge lake that is delightful to walk around.

On summer days, you can take a rowing boat out onto the lake. It’s the perfect way to see more of this gorgeous park.

The stunning Trent Building looks out over the park.

And there are ample opportunities for a good Instagram photo in this beautiful part of Nottingham.

Be sure to spot the small waterfall and stepping stones you can use to cross the lake!

As you can see, there are so many fantastic places to visit in Nottingham.

Whether you’re a tourist spending the weekend there or you’ve lived there all your life but haven’t got out to explore much of the city and its surroundings, I hope this list prompts you to go and see what this lovely city has to offer!

13 Amazing Places to Visit in Nottingham for a Great Day Out. There are so many fun things to do in Nottingham and this post shares some of the best of the best! Click through to read more...

What's On In Nottingham

Things to do in nottingham.

Wollaton Hall and Deer Park

Attractions and Places to Visit In Nottingham

Famous for the legend of Robin Hood , as well as being the former home of Lord Byron, Nottingham is a city which is proud of its rich heritage. Historical and cultural credentials include a 17th century castle and a medieval labyrinth of caves. A pair of stone lions watch over the 1920s Council House in the Old Market Square, while a statue of Robin Hood stands proudly below the castle.

In the heart of the city , you’ll find the mid-Victorian Theatre Royal. A splendid theatre, it hosts touring West End shows, and its pantomime is a draw for big celebrities, with David Hasselhoff appearing in the 2013 production of Peter Pan. The Nottingham Playhouse is one of the country’s top contemporary theatres, and even if you don’t feel like catching a show, is well worth a visit to see Turner Prize Winner Anish Kapoor’s Sky Mirror, an incredible open-air sculpture that locals voted as the city’s best landmark.

Nottingham is home to a particularly vibrant music scene , and its range of venues mean that you’ll have no trouble finding something to suit your tastes. The Capital FM Arena is often visited by pop stars, bands and comedians, from Kylie to Kasabian. If you like things a little more raucous, Rock City has seen plenty of the hottest acts pass through since it opened its doors in 1980,having hosted the likes of David Bowie, Oasis and Nirvana, and classical and comedy can be enjoyed in the majestic surroundings of the Royal Concert Hall and Albert Hall. Whatever you fancy seeing, a stay in a cheap hotel in Nottingham makes catching a show completely fuss-free

Nottingham is proud of its connection to the Robin Hood, and Sherwood Forest sits to the north of the city. However, this ancient woodland has so much more to it than legendary men in tights; it was a former royal hunting ground, and is home to the 1000 year old tree, the Major Oak, the Sherwood Forest Golf Club, which is one of England’s best courses, and some great Nottingham hotels.

City of Caves

City of Caves

Discover a hidden world beneath your feet underneath the streets of Nottingham. Explore our original and historic site with sandstone caves with our actor led tours and meet friendly characters Archie & Annie. Read More

Nottingham Contemporary

Nottingham Contemporary

Nottingham Contemporary is an international art centre with a strong sense of local purpose. Built on an historic site in the Lace Market area of the city, it's one of the few major contemporary art UK spaces. Read More

places visit nottingham

Wollaton Hall & Deer Park

Set within a 500-acre deer park, Wollaton Hall is a spectacular Elizabethan mansion, built by Sir Francis Willoughby & was chosen by Warner Bros as the set of Wayne Manor The Dark Knight Rises Batman film. Read More

Belton House in Nottingham

Belton House

Belton House is a Grade I listed country house in Belton near Grantham, Lincolnshire, England. The mansion is surrounded by formal gardens and a series of avenues leading to follies within a larger wooded park. Read More

Grantham House

Grantham House

Grantham House is a handsome town house, built in 1380, one of the oldest buildings in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England. It has a riverside walled garden. The House is situated in Castlegate and its... Read More

Woolsthorpe Manor in Nottingham

Woolsthorpe Manor

Woolsthorpe Manor in Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, near Grantham, Lincolnshire, England, is a modest farmhouse and the birthplace and family home of Sir Isaac Newton. He was born there... Read More

The Workhouse in Nottingham

The Workhouse

The Workhouse, also known as Thurgarton Hundred Incorporated Workhouse and later Greet House, in the town of Southwell, Nottinghamshire, England, is a museum operated by the National Trust. Read More

Newstead Abbey in Nottingham

Newstead Abbey Historic House

Newstead Abbey, in Nottinghamshire, England, was formerly an Augustinian priory and converted to a domestic home following the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It is now best known as the ancestral... Read More

Nottingham Castle in Nottingham

Nottingham Castle

Nottingham Castle is a castle in Nottingham, England. It is located in a commanding position on a natural promontory known as "Castle Rock", with cliffs 130 feet (40 m) high to the south and west. Read More

Grantham Museum in Nottingham

Grantham Museum

Grantham Museum is located at St Peter's Hill, Grantham, Lincolnshire, England in the building provided for it in 1926. The building also housed the public library, and was partly funded by the Carnegie... Read More

Nottingham Industrial Museum in Nottingham

Nottingham Industrial Museum

Nottingham Industrial Museum is situated in part of the 17th-century stables block of Wollaton Hall, located in a suburb of the city of Nottingham. The museum won the Nottinghamshire Heritage Site of the Year... Read More

Attenborough Nature Reserve in Nottingham

Attenborough Nature Reserve

Attenborough Nature Reserve is a nature reserve at Attenborough, Nottinghamshire, England, located 7 Kilometres south west of Nottingham city centre. It is managed by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust... Read More

Mansfield Quakers Heritage Trail in Nottingham

Mansfield Quakers Heritage Trail

It was the faith of two US presidents and several prominent UK industrialists, yet the origins of the Quaker religion are little known today by people living in the English town where it began. Read More

Sherwood Forest Country Park in Nottingham

Sherwood Forest Country Park

Centuries in the making, the legend of Sherwood continues to grow, with every generation adding to its legacy. Today, the forest is a magical destination for everyone who wants to enjoy this beautiful... Read More

Rufford Abbey Country Park in Nottingham

Rufford Abbey Country Park

Rufford Abbey is a country estate in Rufford, Nottinghamshire, England, some 2 miles (4 km) south of Ollerton. Originally a Cistercian abbey, it was converted to a country house in the 16th century... Read More

Bestwood Country Park in Nottingham

Bestwood Country Park

The 650 acres of Bestwood have a richly varied landscape, wildlife and industrial heritage. This serene oasis, now popular with walkers, cyclists and bird-watchers, was once home to one of Britain’s... Read More

Cotgrave Country Park in Nottingham

Cotgrave Country Park

Risen from the site of an old Colliery, Cotgrave is an area of rolling terrain, book-ended by wooded hills. We developed from reclaimed land and pit heaps, which surrounded the old coal mine. Read More

Holme Pierrepont Country Park in Nottingham

Holme Pierrepont Country Park

Holme Pierrepont Country Park, home of The National Water Sports Centre is located in Holme Pierrepont near Nottingham, England and on the River Trent. It is used for many different types of sports... Read More

Heckington Windmill in Nottingham

Heckington Windmill

Heckington Windmill is the only eight-sailed tower windmill still standing in the United Kingdom with its sails intact. Heckington is located between Sleaford and Boston in Lincolnshire, England. Read More

Cogglesford Watermill in Nottingham

Cogglesford Watermill

Cogglesford Mill (sometimes referred to as Coggesford) is a Grade II listed working watermill in Sleaford, Lincolnshire. It is possibly the last working Sheriff's Mill in England. The mill sits... Read More

Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum in Nottingham

Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum

Discover the fascinating story of the historic Royal Air Force College Cranwell and become a pilot on the Jet Provost flight simulator. Royal Air Force College Cranwell is probably one of the most... Read More

Navigation House in Nottingham

Navigation House

The construction of the Sleaford Navigation linked the town with the navigable waters of the River Witham and so with the expanding canal network. In an era when navigable waterways were at the forefront... Read More

Southwell Minster in Nottingham

Southwell Minster

Southwell Minster is a minster and cathedral, in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, England. It is situated six miles from Newark-on-Trent and thirteen miles from Mansfield. It is the seat of the Bishop of Southwell... Read More

Newark Castle and Gardens in Nottingham

Newark Castle and Gardens

Newark Castle, in Newark, in the English county of Nottinghamshire was founded in the mid 12th century by Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln. Originally a timber castle, it was rebuilt in stone towards... Read More

Sherwood Pines Forest Park in Nottingham

Sherwood Pines Forest Park

Sherwood Pines is a fantastic and inspiring place to experience the outdoors. There is something for everyone all year round, from walking and family cycling to mountain biking, Go Ape and adventure play. Read More

Sherwood Observatory in Nottingham

Sherwood Observatory

Sherwood Observatory is an amateur astronomical observatory in Nottinghamshire, England, owned and operated by Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society. The main dome is 6.5m in diameter... Read More

Woodthorpe Thorpe Grange Park in Nottingham

Woodthorpe Thorpe Grange Park

Woodthorpe is a suburban area of Arnold, Nottinghamshire. It is part of the Borough of Gedling and lies next to the city boundary. It is next to the areas of Mapperley, Daybrook, Sherwood and the main... Read More

Clumber Park in Nottingham

Clumber Park

History. Clumber Park is a country park in the Dukeries near Worksop in Nottinghamshire, England. It was the seat of the Pelham-Clintons, Dukes of Newcastle which is owned by the National Trust... Read More

Mr Straw in Nottingham

Mr Straw's House is a National Trust property in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom. The Edwardian semi-detached house and its contents have remained largely unchanged since the 1920s. Read More

Mattersey Priory in Nottingham

Mattersey Priory

Mattersey Priory is a former monastery of the Gilbertine order, located near the village of Mattersey, Nottinghamshire, England. It is currently managed by English Heritage. The priory was founded... Read More

Grantham Canal in Nottingham

Grantham Canal

The Grantham Canal is a canal that runs for 33 miles (53 km) from Grantham, falling through 18 locks to West Bridgford where it joins the River Trent. It was built primarily to allow for the transportation... Read More

Belvoir Castle in Nottingham

Belvoir Castle

Belvoir Castle (pronounced “beaver”) is a stately home in the English county of Leicestershire, overlooking the Vale of Belvoir. It is a Grade I listed building. A corner of the castle is still used... Read More

National Justice Museum in Nottingham

National Justice Museum

The National Justice Museum (formerly the Galleries of Justice Museum), also known as the Shire Hall, is an independent museum on High Pavement in the Lace Market area of Nottingham, England. Read More

Colwick Country Parks in Nottingham

Colwick Country Parks

On the outskirts of Nottingham city, the park is accessible via public transport and is well placed just off one of the region's key cycle routes. The park is owned, operated and maintained by Nottingham... Read More

Mansfield Museum in Nottingham

Mansfield Museum

Mansfield Museum is a local authority museum run by Mansfield District Council in Nottinghamshire. The brainchild of William Edward Baily, a wealthy local collector and natural historian, the museum opened... Read More

Nottingham Cathedral

Nottingham Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of St. Barnabas in the city of Nottingham, England, is a cathedral of the Roman Catholic church. It is the mother church of the Diocese of Nottingham and seat of the Bishop of Nottingham. Read More

Old Market Square in Nottingham

Old Market Square

The Old Market Square is an open, pedestrianised city square in Nottingham, England. It is the largest such surviving square in the United Kingdom, forming the heart of the city. Located in the heart... Read More

The National Ice Centre in Nottingham

The National Ice Centre

The National Ice Centre (NIC) is located in Nottingham, England. It is situated just east of the city centre, close to the historic Lace Market area. The NIC was the first twin Olympic-sized (60m x 30m)... Read More

Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham

Trent Bridge Cricket Ground

Trent Bridge is a cricket ground mostly used for Test, One-day international and County cricket located in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, England, just across the River Trent from the city of Nottingham. Read More

Greens Mill in Nottingham

Greens Mill

The Mill was built shortly after 1807 by the father of 19th-century mathematical physicist George Green, whose name was also George Green. It is located on the site of a previous post mill and there were... Read More

Golf Clubs

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A performer in front of Nottingham Castle

Why we love Nottingham

Steeped in the legends that surround Robin Hood, Nottingham is home to literary greats and a thriving independent arts’ scene. Discover what this city has to offer, including a labyrinth of underground caves, complete with a bar. Find its cultural quarter, The Lace Market, fusing old-world architecture with the cool indie vibes of restaurants and bars. Take a ghoulish tour under one of England’s oldest pub or set yourself loose in the wilds of parklands and adrenaline-filled fun in the acres of Nottingham’s famous Sherwood Forest. And for sports’ lovers – enjoy a mix of top quality football and cricket.

VisitNottingham/Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery

A group of children attaching drawings to a wall at the Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery

Nottingham contemporary art gallery

Nottingham’s contemporary art gallery is worth seeing for the building alone. In the cultural Lace Market spot, its actually decorated in traditional Nottingham lace pattern and hosts a cultural menu that doesn’t hold back form the bold and the daring.

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Cultural Quarter

Discover where Nottingham’s lace industry once flourished, its red-brick Victorian warehouses have been refashioned into indie shops, gastropubs, and hang-out for creatives.

Justice Museum

An actor in shackles outside The Justice Museum in Nottingham

National   Justice Museum

Discover Georgian gaols and ancient cells. See Oscar Wilde’s cell door. Explore mass of sandstone caverns and up to five floors around themes on social justice, giving an insight into law like never before all from this handsome Grade II listed hall .

Things to do in Nottingham

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Wollaton Hall

Calling all Batman fans! Welcome to ‘Wayne Manor’, where the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises was filmed.

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Wollaton Hall

Sherwood Forest

With its tranquil walking trails and 1,000-year-old ‘Major Oak’ tree, this historic forest is a joy to explore.

Andrew Hallsworth @ Marlow Photographic

Robin Hood pictured in Sherwood Forest.

Trent Bridge

One of the world’s best-loved cricket grounds, Trent Bridge offers behind-the-scenes tours and fine dining too.

VisitNottinghamshire/Trent Bridge Cricket Ground

A child posing with a squirrel masket at Trent Bridge on a cricket family day out

City of Caves

Did you know that Nottingham is home to Britain’s biggest network of caves? Step inside them on this tour…

An actor putting on a performance at Nottingham City of Caves.

Nottingham Contemporary

Immerse yourself in film screenings, dance workshops and candlelit concerts at this vibrant creative hub.

A group of children attaching drawings to a wall at the Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery

Restaurant Sat Bains

One of Nottingham’s most lauded restaurants, this elegant bistro has been awarded two Michelin Stars.

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Restaurant Sat Bains

Featured things to do

Spring-Underground haunts at England's oldest(perhaps) pub

Underground haunts at England’s oldest (perhaps) pub

Damp, dimly lit, and decorated. Add a few skulls, and the odd stuffed animal and you have this quirky 800-year-old drinking cut into the city’s underground cave network.

Nottingham City Council/Splendour Festival

Summer-splendour festival

Splendour Festival

A late July weekend at the Gothic manor where Batman was once filmed - Wollaton Hall and Deer Park becomes home to stacked line-up of music at Nottingham’s biggest music festival.

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Adrenalin Jungle is set in 150-acre Sherwood Forest for anything from axe throwing to blindfolded driving.

People around wooden chalets and a lit-up helter skelter in the background at Nottingham Christmas Market

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Explore the Old Market Square’s magical transformation for a festive fix of Bavarian-proportions. Complete with ski lodges and mulled wine by twinkling lights, an ice rink and ice bar.

Places to stay in Nottingham

This large town south west of the city centre is very popular with students. You’ll find budget-friendly places here as well as lots of lively bars and pubs, as well as woodland walks and lake views.

In the north of the city, it’s the place for great for shopping, cafes and pubs, though is largely residential, and being hilly offers great views too. Just a 15-minute walk to the centre, yet it’s a conservation area too, so has a parkland feel to it.

If you want to stay with in the affluent side of the city, it’s here. This big-budget area is full of Victorian homes, and is just a five minute walk from the castle.

Explore nearby

An industrial hub with a vibrant, creative heart and a whole host of quirky adventures.

West Midlands Growth Company

Historical building, with a clock tower, beside a fountain

Peak District

For hikers, cyclists, horse riders and thrill seekers, the Peak District offers adventures galore.

VisitBritain/Becky Stacey

A woman with her arms raised enjoying the view from high

Getting to Nottingham

Nottingham is easy to get to from the UK’s major cities, with international, domestic and European connections avaialble via Birmingham Airport. Train operators also provide direct services to London and the Eurostar hub at St Pancras Station.

Getting around

You will not be short of buses to get you around the county. Most bus services from the city operate from Nottingham’s Broad Marsh and Victoria bus station and are mostly run by Nottingham City.

Nottingham’s compact and often car free centre means it’s the perfect place to explore by foot.  Walkit.com is a great planner and helps you get to know the city well.

East Midlands Rail connects around the north, while East Coast Trains and Cross-Country Trains also stop at a number of Nottinghamshire towns and surrounding areas. Northern Rail provides local and direct train services.

There are a few registered taxi companies in the city centre, situated outside of Nottingham Station, Victoria Centre, and next to the Old Market Square.

Nottingham Express Transit (NET ) forms good connections for shopping, leisure and tourist attractions. Running every seven minutes, the trams provide a quick and easy way to zoom across the city.

Citycard Cycles offer bike hire from £1 an hour. There’s plenty of cycle routes, including anything from mountain biking in Sherwood Forest to the car-free Big Track route that runs alongside the River Trent and canal.

Want to know more?

Check out Visit Nottingham for top insider tips and travel inspiration. 

Things to Do in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire - Nottingham Attractions

Things to do in nottingham, explore popular experiences, tours in and around nottingham.

places visit nottingham

Unravel the Secrets: Nottingham's Robin Hood Treasure Hunt!

places visit nottingham

Maid Marian and Robin Hood Outdoor Escape Game in Nottingham

places visit nottingham

Pony trekking 45mins - PT45

places visit nottingham

Watson Fothergill Walk: Architecture of Victorian Nottingham Guided Tour

places visit nottingham

Oxford Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK

places visit nottingham

Fun and Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Nottingham with Hidden Gems

places visit nottingham

Nottingham Quest: Self Guided City Walk & Immersive Treasure Hunt

places visit nottingham

Alpaca Experience - trek around our farm then meet the alpacas

places visit nottingham

Baroness Bolsover's Town Tour with Afternoon Tea

places visit nottingham

Hunted in the Peak District

Private sightseeing tours.

places visit nottingham

Top Attractions in Nottingham

places visit nottingham

Other Top Attractions around Nottingham

places visit nottingham

Tours & Sightseeing

places visit nottingham

Walking & Biking Tours

places visit nottingham

Cultural & Theme Tours

What travelers are saying.

Ryan T

  • Wollaton Hall and Park
  • National Justice Museum
  • The City of Caves
  • The Arboretum
  • Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall
  • Bestwood Country Park
  • Burntstump Country Park
  • Framework Knitters' Museum
  • Sherwood Forest Activity Centre
  • Skirmish Paintball Games Nottingham
  • meetspaceVR (ft Zero Latency) - Nottingham
  • Games Workshop Warhammer World

places visit nottingham

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Places to Visit in Nottingham

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Tourist Places To Visit In Nottingham

Here are some of the best places to visit in nottingham :, old market square.

Old Market Square

Old Market Square is one of the places to see in Nottingham that serves as a meeting place for locals and tourists alike, providing a respite from the hustle and bustle of the day. It is the second-largest public area in the United Kingdom and serves as a focal point for the city's social scene and transportation linkages.

The Lace Market

The Lace Market

One of the historic tourist places to visit in Nottingham known as the Lace Market that encompasses a quarter mile square. During the time of the British Empire, this area, which is now a designated heritage area, was the epicentre of the lace industry around the world.

Nottingham Castle

Nottingham Castle

Nottingham Castle is a fortified castle that was replaced with a ducal palace during the Stuart Restoration period. In 1068, work on the Castle's first Norman structure started, and during the Middle Ages, it underwent significant additions. It is one of the well-known tourist attractions in Nottingham around the world as the setting for Robin Hood's conflicts with the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham.

The City of Caves

The City of Caves

There are more than 800 caves beneath Nottingham's streets, making it the city with the greatest cave network in the United Kingdom. The City of Caves is one of the unusual tourist attractions in Nottingham where you'll find the most accessible part of this massive cave system. In the depths of this underground marvel, you can get a once-in-a-lifetime historical experience.

National Justice Museum

National Justice Museum

One of the historical places to see in Nottingham is National Justice Museum, a freestanding museum located on High Pavement in the Lace Market. The museum is located in what was once a Victorian-era courthouse, prison, and police station, making it a historic place where criminals were arrested, tried, convicted, and maybe executed. Both the jail and the courthouse were built in the 14th century.

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

The Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall are two world-class entertainment places to go in Nottingham where you can catch the best West End musicals, dramas, operas, ballets, concerts of pop, rock, and classical music, as well as family-friendly performances and laugh-out-loud comedy.

Highfields Park

Highfields Park

The 21-hectare Highfields Park is one of the places to go in Nottingham that boasts numerous impressive trees, rare plants, and a variety of water elements. There are a number of things to do right there, such as renting a boat and exploring the lake, playing adventure golf or croquet, entertaining the kids at the playground, enjoying a meal at the cafe, or checking out one of the many performances at the Lakeside Arts Centre.

Green's Windmill and Science Centre

Green's Windmill and Science Centre

Green's Mill, the 1807 residence of mathematician and physicist George Green (1793-1841), burned to the ground in 1947 and had to be reconstructed in the 1980s. It is one of the places to see in Nottingham that has been restored to its former glory and now offers a fascinating four-story look at the flour-making method.

D. H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum

D. H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum

The controversial novelist D.H. Lawrence's childhood house is one of the key tourist attractions in Nottingham that is now a museum; and it's located in the former mining town of Eastwood, surrounded by beautiful surroundings that had a profound impact on Lawrence's life and writing. In its museum form, it is available to everyone interested in learning more about Lawrence, regardless of whether or not they have read any of his works.

Papplewick Pumping Station

Papplewick Pumping Station

Papplewick Pumping Station is one of the tourist places to visit in Nottingham, located on open agricultural area roughly three miles by road from the settlement of Papplewick that was constructed between 1881 and 1884 by the Nottingham Corporation Water Department; to pump water from the Bunter sandstone in order supply drinking water to the city of Nottingham in England. There were two beam engines housed in Gothic Revival structures, with steam provided by six Lancashire boilers.

The Great Central Railway

The Great Central Railway

Leicestershire is home to one of the best tourist places to visit in Nottingham, the heritage railway known as the Great Central Line (GCR), named for the firm that constructed the original railway there. It connects Loughborough to a new northern Leicester station, a distance of 8.25 miles. It features locomotives, signalling, and train stock from the era.

Wollaton Hall

Wollaton Hall

Wollaton Hall, an Elizabethan country house built in the 1580s is one of the places to visit in Nottingham, sits on a modest but visible hill in Wollaton Park. Nottingham's Natural History Museum is housed in the original home, while the city's industrial history is displayed in the adjacent stables. There is a herd of deer in the nearby park, which is also utilised frequently for huge outdoor events including concerts, festivals, and sporting competitions.

Robin Hood Way and Sherwood Forest

Robin Hood Way and Sherwood Forest

The Robin Hood Way is a long-distance pathway that passes through parts of Nottingham and is one of the tourist places to visit in Nottingham that has a connection to the infamous outlaw. The route travels through lowland agriculture and heathland, as well as the grand houses and gardens of the Dukeries and woodlands, notably Sherwood Forest. The 84-mile path from Nottingham Castle to Edwinstowe Church was opened to the public in 1985 with the goal of connecting all of the locations in Nottinghamshire that had some role in the spreading of the legend of Robin Hood.

Newstead Abbey

Newstead Abbey

The former Augustinian priory of Newstead Abbey can be found in England which is one of the classical places to visit in Nottingham. Since its conversion to a private residence during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, it has become famous as the birthplace and childhood home of Lord Byron. 

Southwell Minster

Southwell Minster

Located in the English town of Southwell, Southwell Minster is both a minster and a cathedral. It's a 13-mile (21-kilometer) drive from Mansfield and just 6 miles (9.7 kilometres) from Newark-on-Trent. The Southwell and Nottingham Diocese and its bishop reside there.

Framework Knitters' Museum

Framework Knitters' Museum

Located in the picturesque village of Ruddington, this well-preserved museum delves into the background of framework knitting, a significant aspect of the textiles industry that helped give rise to the Nottingham lace industry.

The Arboretum

The Arboretum

The neighbourhood called Arboretum is one of the finest tourist places to visit in Nottingham. It was named after the arboretum that was the first public park to be declared in Nottingham according to the Enclosure Act of 1845. Samuel Curtis, a horticultural publisher, and botanist led the planning and design of the park, and was first opened to the public on May 11, 1852.

Nottingham Industrial Museum

Nottingham Industrial Museum

Located in a suburb, the Nottingham Industrial Museum is one of major places to visit in Nottingham staffed entirely by volunteers and housed in a section of Wollaton Hall's 17th-century stables block. The museum is the 2012 recipient of Experience Nottinghamshire's Nottinghamshire Heritage Site of the Year Award.

Stonebridge City Farm

Stonebridge City Farm

The Stonebridge City Farm is an urban oasis in the middle of the bustling city of Nottingham. The Farm is open all year long and welcomes visitors who want to get up-close and personal with animals living here through activities like feeding and interacting with them.

National Ice Centre

National Ice Centre

The NIC, or National Ice Centre, is a popular ice skating facility in Nottingham, England. Located to the east of the downtown area, near to the old Lace Market district. The NIC "heralded a new era in the growth of ice skating" being the first UK facility to have twin Olympic-sized 60m × 30m ice pads.

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Top Things to Do in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Places to visit in nottingham, explore popular experiences, tours in and around nottingham.

places visit nottingham

Unravel the Secrets: Nottingham's Robin Hood Treasure Hunt!

places visit nottingham

Maid Marian and Robin Hood Outdoor Escape Game in Nottingham

places visit nottingham

Pony trekking 45mins - PT45

places visit nottingham

Watson Fothergill Walk: Architecture of Victorian Nottingham Guided Tour

places visit nottingham

Oxford Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK

places visit nottingham

Fun and Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Nottingham with Hidden Gems

places visit nottingham

Nottingham Quest: Self Guided City Walk & Immersive Treasure Hunt

places visit nottingham

Alpaca Experience - trek around our farm then meet the alpacas

places visit nottingham

Baroness Bolsover's Town Tour with Afternoon Tea

places visit nottingham

Hunted in the Peak District

Private sightseeing tours.

places visit nottingham

Top Attractions in Nottingham

places visit nottingham

Other Top Attractions around Nottingham

places visit nottingham

Tours & Sightseeing

places visit nottingham

Walking & Biking Tours

places visit nottingham

Cultural & Theme Tours

What travellers are saying.

Ryan T

  • Wollaton Hall and Park
  • National Justice Museum
  • The City of Caves
  • The Arboretum
  • Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall
  • Bestwood Country Park
  • Burntstump Country Park
  • Framework Knitters' Museum
  • Sherwood Forest Activity Centre
  • Skirmish Paintball Games Nottingham
  • meetspaceVR (ft Zero Latency) - Nottingham
  • Games Workshop Warhammer World

Top 20 tourist attractions in Nottingham

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Tourist Attractions in Nottingham

Nott what you expected!

From Robin Hood’s hideout to Batman’s home, Nottingham is home to some amazing tourist attractions. Intrigued? You should be! If the University of Nottingham is the only reason this city is on your radar, then you need to take a look at what else it has to offer. This large city has something for everyone, so without further ado, let us take you through the top 20 tourist attractions in Nottingham. 

Museums in Nottingham 

Nottingham has deep roots in England’s history, and the artefacts and pieces here give a look into the city’s past 500 years of history. From cultures across the globe, the thousands of items here are preserved for history lovers that come here to visit these museums in Nottingham. From the city’s lace trade history to Greek and Roman history, it has it all. The museums in Nottingham have a rich history ready to be explored.

1. The Haunted Museum and Oddities Collection

Location: BasementHopkinsons, 21 Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3AJ

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Entry fees: £8

Top review: “Had a great time at thus museum with my daughter. Lots of interesting items with lots of information about them too. For £8 entry it's well worth the visit. Got to hold a real human skull which I found interesting. If your into your odd and strange things I recommend this place.”

Looking for a frightfully good time? The Haunted Museum is just one of the exciting places to visit in Nottingham for a twisted soul. From Voodoo skulls to devils to boxes, visit the museum and have a look at some of the coolest and creepiest collections of haunted items from around the world. With over 1000+ items on display, this is one of the best museums in Nottingham. 

2. DH Lawrence Birthplace Museum

Location: D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum, 8a Victoria Street, Eastwood, Nottingham, NG16 3AW

Opening hours: Thursday - Saturday 10:00 - 16:00 

Entry fees: £5.00

Top review: “Lovely little museum and unexpected gem that we came across. It gives you a great insight into life in a mining town all those years ago and of course D H Lawrence himself.”

One of the most well-known museums in Nottingham, the D. H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum is an Eastwood, near Nottingham, writer's house museum dedicated to D. H. Lawrence. It is one of the four residences the family called home in Eastwood and the home where he was born in 1885. Visitors can take a guided or self-guided tour of the building, which is now a museum. Afterwards, you can stop for a snack at one of the 20 best cafes in Nottingham.

3. National Justice Museum

Location: National Justice Museum, High Pavement, Nottingham NG1 1HN, United Kingdom

Opening hours : Monday - Sunday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Entry fees: £10.95-£12.05

Top review: “A great museum - interesting exhibits around issues related to justice, crime and punishment. A lot to see, including the various varieties of cells, execution area, laundry ... Also, there are enactments of trials and even executions which are brought to life by staff - interesting and educational. One of the great places to visit in Nottingham!”

Located in a former Victorian Courtroom, The National Justice Museum is an independent museum on High Pavement in the Lace Market neighbourhood of Nottingham, England. It was formerly known as the Galleries of Justice Museum and, historically, as the Shire Hall and County Gaol. This is one of the best museums in Nottingham for anyone looking to learn more about the history of the justice system in the UK. 

4. Wollaton hall

Location: Wollaton Rd, Nottingham NG8 2AE, United Kingdom

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday, 9:00 am - 8:30 pm

Entry fees: Free entry

Top review: “OH what a night woollaton hall light show absolutely fantastic and the drinks and food were reasonably priced will definitely go again next year well done to everyone involved you made the season very festive”

“You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” Sound familiar? Well, if you recognise this quote, you’ll love these next tourist attractions in Nottingham! The Wollaton Hall is an Elizabethan country house from the 1580s and is also featured as the Wayne Manor in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. The house is now the Nottingham Natural History Museum, and the outbuildings are home to the Nottingham Industrial Museum. 

Love history? Check out our full guide to the 21 Best Museums in Nottingham .

Sightseeing in Nottingham

If you're making a list of sightseeing places to visit in Nottingham, here are some places you should not miss. From science centres to castles and caves, Nottingham has something for everyone. 

1. Sneinton Dragon

Location: Sneinton Hermitage, Nottingham NG2 4BT

Opening hours: Open 24x7, 7 days a week

Top review: “ Best place for all age groups”

This is one of the Nottingham sightseeing places that may not breathe fire when you yell “Dracarys”, but the Sneinton Dragon is still impressive in its own right. A seven-foot-tall stainless steel structure built by a local artist named Robert Stubley, the Sneinton Dragon with a 15-foot wingspan has been standing since 2006. If you’re super hungry after a day of sightseeing in Nottingham, grab a bite at one of the 20 best restaurants in Nottingham.

2. Green's mill and science centre

Location: Windmill Ln, Sneinton, Nottingham NG2 4QB, United Kingdom

Opening hours: Wednesday - Sunday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm ‍

Top review: “ My 7 years old granddaughter had a Scone baking session and loved it so much. Then the science centre for kids so captivating. Highly recommended”

Not familiar with George Green? Well, he was one of the most outstanding scientists of his time, but unfortunately, not many people are familiar with his work. Learn about George Green's incredible life and accomplishments in the modest science centre next to the mill and engage in experiments involving the phenomena that captivated him, such as light, electricity, and magnetism. One of the more relaxing tourist attractions in Nottingham, visit Green's Mill on a nice breezy day and watch the windmill in action. 

3. Nottingham Castle

Location: Nottingham Castle Trust, Lenton Road, Nottingham, NG1 6EL

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm 

Entry fees: £12 once and can visit all year

Top review: “ I brought two friends from Sri Lanka for a guided tour around Mortimer's Hole. Keri really brought the history of the cave, and Nottingham, to life. Really enjoyed it. Will be even better when Brewhouse Yard is open at the bottom.”

One of the most well-known tourist attractions in Nottingham, any history enthusiasts would jump at the chance to visit the castle thanks to the fantastic exhibitions and tours that will teach them more about the tales associated with this castle's past. Beyond the tours, Nottingham's Castle is also recommended because of its verdant green gardens, where you may relax with a warm beverage from one of their cafes. This should definitely be one of the best places to visit in Nottingham. If you're planning on moving here, this is the cost of living in Nottingham: A comprehensive guide.

4. The Arboretum

Location: Waverley St, Nottingham NG7 4HF, United Kingdom

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 4:30 pm 

Top review: “ A hidden gen, well worth the visit to pass the time and enjoy some chill time. Well kept a real gem in our city centre.”

The beautiful Arboretum is a tourist attraction in Nottingham that attracts both locals and visitors. The Arboretum was chosen as Nottingham's first official public park by the Inclosure Act of 1845. Botanist and horticultural publisher Samuel Curtis oversaw the park's layout. The park made its formal debut on May 11, 1852. It was classified as Grade II* by Historic England in 1986. This park has won a Green Flag Award and is home to over 800 trees, perfect for a day out with friends or even a nice date. 

5. The City of Caves

Location: Garner's Hill, Nottingham NG1 1HF, United Kingdom

Opening hours : Monday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 4:30 pm 

Entry fees: £7.65-£8.40

Top review: “ A hidden gem, well worth the visit to pass the time and enjoy some chill time. Well kept a real gem in our city centre.”

Located right next to the National Museum of Justice, The City of Caves is a collection of the UK’s largest collection of caves - and is our personal favourite Nottingham tourist attraction on this list. These caves have been carved out of sandstone and have served a variety of purposes over the years, including tanneries, beer cellars, and air raid shelters.

With our list of top 20 attractions, our guide will be your Nottingham compass.

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6. The Great Central Railway 

Location: Mere Way, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, NG11 6JS

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Entry fees: £12.00-£22.00

Top review: “ Had a great time at this steam railway and enjoyed our ride through the lovely countryside. The sun shone for most of the day and we sampled delicious refreshments at Rothley Station. The trip fulfilled an ambition for our steam train mad daughter!!”

One of the more practical tourist attractions in Nottingham on the list, the Nottingham Heritage Railway, is a heritage railroad and transportation museum on the south side of the village of Ruddington in Nottinghamshire. It was formerly known as the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) and the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre and is one of the amazing tourist places to visit in Nottingham. 

7. The Lace Market

Location: 2 Barker Gate, Nottingham NG1 1JS, United Kingdom 

Opening hours: The Lace market has a variety of shops and bars that usually open by 11 am and close by 5 pm

Entry fees: £5.50

Top review: “One of the most interesting places to visit in Nottingham; Nottingham lace is beautifully worked and not overpriced - that said it isn't 'cheap', but well worth the prices and experience.”

The Lace Market is a historically quarter-mile square in Nottingham and has been deemed as a designated heritage area and served as the epicentre of the global lace industry during the British Empire. The Lace Market is now home to a variety of taverns, eateries, and stores. This is the perfect tourist attraction in Nottingham for students looking for a lively area to spend their weekends. 

8. Theatre Royal & royal concert hall

Location: Theatre Square, Nottingham NG1 5ND, United Kingdom

Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Entry fees: £2-£3

Top review: “ Visited to see Jon Richardson, well organised theatre staff, comfy seats for a theatre. Nice change to be able to take a drink in to watch the show. Drinks are a bit pricey but it's a theatre.”

The theatre royal & royal concert hall is known for hosting a variety of different events all year round, from musical performances to plays. If possible, you should definitely try and get tickets to a show playing while you’re here. Even if you’re unable to find a show, the theatre is a beautiful structure and always has a fun, vibrant atmosphere making it one of the must-visit tourist attractions in Nottingham.

9. Papplewick pumping station

Location: Rigg Ln, Ravenshead, Nottingham NG15 9AJ, United Kingdom

Opening hours: Wednesdays & Sundays, 11:00 am-3:00 pm

Entry fees: £4.00

Top Review: “A really interesting place. Lots going on to entertain the whole family

Friendly staff. Nice cafe. Lots of parking just over the road”

This lovely location was created in the early 1880s to pump millions of gallons of fresh, pure water daily to Industrial Nottingham's fast-expanding population. You can still visit the most magnificent, preserved water pumping station in the British Isles today, thanks to the efforts of The Papplewick Pumping Station Trust. Located next to a beautiful lake, this is one of the most picturesque tourist attractions in Nottingham and is even a popular wedding destination. 

Looking for a complete guide to the city? Check out our Student City Guide: Nottingham 2023 for a deep dive into the city!

Top 20 tourist attractions in Nottingham

Parks in Nottingham

Nottingham is very green and full of nature. Its parks and gardens are some of the more popular tourist attractions in Nottingham. With fresh air on a sunny day, and a stroll in one of the parks, nothing can go wrong so go out and explore nature in Nottingham.

1. Highfields park

Location: University Blvd, Lenton, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom

Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Entry fees: £5.50-£4.50

Top Review: “Free parking for a good play area, walk and picnic spot.

Vs surrounding options of Holme pierpont and Wollaton park at £5 parking, Highfields has a decent play area, nice walk round the lake, boating and paid options like crazy golf. Good family spot for an hour or 2”

One of the popular tourist attractions in Nottingham for students of the University of Nottingham, the original Highfields House was included in the school as a staff annexe and has been a part of Highfields Park ever since 1921. The fish pond at the centre of the park is one of the most beautiful places in Nottingham to spend an afternoon with friends and family. 

2. Robin hood way

Location: The Meadows, Nottingham

Opening hours : Open to the public 24x7, 7 days a week

Entry fees: £12

Top Review: “A lovely experience after visiting the castle in Nottingham, great for school age kids, a good set of questions to keep them occupied and to teach them about this great Nottingham legend, a great discussion point for the family too. Some aspects a bit creepy, scary for very young children but all in all a reasonably priced enjoyable experience.”

Named after the thief with a heart of gold, the Robin Hood Way is a long path through the Midlands and is the perfect tourist attraction in Nottingham for nature lovers. The path runs from Edwinstowe to Nottingham castle and is over 150 metres long. 

3. Sherwood Forest

Location: Edwinstowe, Nottingham

Opening hours: Open to the public 24x7, 7 days a week

Top Review: “ Was on limited time when visited,only completed one walk,(Robin Hood walk) ….but it was enchanting…truly beautiful and the ancient oak trees were breathtaking !

Magical walk …one of the best Iv been on and one which will remain with me.”

Another attraction made famous thanks to Robin Hood, the Sherwood Forest, is a very large forest spanning over 1000 acres. The legendary hideout of Robin Hood is the perfect tourist attraction in Nottingham for students who want to escape into a fairytale for a day. Go with your friends and explore all the fun things to do in Nottingham this weekend.

4. Stonebridge city farm

Location: Stonebridge Road, Nottingham, NG3 2FR

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 10:00 am - 4:15 pm

Top Review: “ Lovely urban setting with farm animals, cafe, toddler playground and shop. Gardens to walk around and a relaxed family friendly atmosphere. Free to enter with suggested donation options.”

Do you love adorable farm animals? If the answer is yes, the Stonebridge city farm is one of the perfect tourist attractions in Nottingham for you. You can enter the farm free of cost and visit their farm animals and gardens or just take a walk around the area. 

5. The Adrenalin Jungle

Location: ​​Deerdale Ln, Newark NG22 8SY, United Kingdom

Opening hours: Monday - Saturday, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm

Entry fees: £20-£45

Top Review: “Had a fantastic time at Adrenaline Jungle - chose Archery and the Assault course for our family of five (17, 14 and 13). Don was endlessly patient teaching us archery and encouraging us over/under/through the obstacles on the assault course. A great couple of hours of family fun, thank you!”

Paintball, Archery, Knife throwing, laser tag, and so much more, the Adrenalin Jungle is a large open space with a ton of fun things to do in Nottingham this weekend. Grab a group of friends and visit one of the most exciting tourist attractions in Nottingham on a nice sunny day and enjoy the fun and games!

The night is always young in Nottingham! Check out our guide to the Top 20 Clubs in Nottingham

‍Events in Nottingham

From Christmas markets with handmade items, mulled wine and German style markets to a fair with all kinds of food and games; there are a lot of fun things to do in Nottingham.

1. Nottingham Christmas Market

When: Mid-November to 31st December

Where: Nottingham Market Square

Top Review: “We were delighted to find a traditional Christmas market held here against the background of delightful old buildings. The market had all of the usual stalls selling tasty snacks as well as fairground rides for all ages and a skating ring.”

When you hear the sleigh bells ringing and children singing, that's when you know its time to visit the Nottingham Christmas Market! Nottingham's Winter Wonderland is a classic German-style market that features all the delectable holiday fare, mulled wine, handcrafted items, and decorations one would want to see during Christmas.

2. Nottingham goose fair

When: First week of October

Where: Nottingham’s Forest Recreation Ground

Top Review: “Enjoyed a lovely, relaxing stroll around the park and woodland areas, taking in ghe sights and sounds. Pleasant places to stop for a coffee and cake to take out. Choice of playground areas for younger children to play while you sit and relax. Plenty of parking space. Set just outside the city centre. Well worth a visit.”

One of the more strangely named tourist attractions in Nottingham, the Goose fair is an annual funfair that attracts over  400,000 visitors. The event had initially started off as a way to trade livestock - hence the name - however it has since evolved into a fair with games and rides for everyone to enjoy. 

A beautiful city full of life, art and culture, there are so many things to do in Nottingham for both its tourists and its residents. From museums in Nottingham to events here, you will always have many fun things to do in Nottingham. We hope you found this guide to the top tourist attractions in Nottingham helpful. Let us know your favourite attractions in the comment section down below! You can also check out our blog on the student housing guide in Nottingham .

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Top 21 Places to Visit and Fun Things to Do in Nottingham, England

Nottingham is a city in Nottinghamshire county in the East Midlands of England. The city sits 180 km from London and on the banks of River Trent. Some of the most fun things to do in Nottingham include exploring the history of the city, the lace-making industry, and the tobacco industry.

The city is also closely linked to the legend of Robin Hood. Many of the best places to visit in Nottingham tell you tales of Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham. You will see the hiding spot of Robin Hood. You will also see the castle where the Sheriff resided among things to see in Nottingham .

The city is also closely associated with two renowned writers in English literature. You can visit the house museums of D.H. Lawrence, Alan Sillitoe and Lord Byron during Nottingham travel.

The city also has interesting history besides the legends as well. The most intriguing among Nottingham tourist attractions is the network of underground caves. It is called the city of caves. These were carved during the middle ages and served various purposes.

You will come across many spots during Nottingham sightseeing to access these caves. These include museums, public places, and pubs. Another major historical Nottingham attraction is the oldest pub in England. You can come here to get a drink, enjoy history, and access the historical caves.

Aside from this, you can get to explore the history and buildings concerned with the once-flourishing lace-making and tobacco industry of the city when you visit Nottingham.

But, there are also many fun activities in Nottingham . The city is known for the Nottingham Beach event where people come together by poolside for outdoor activities to do in Nottingham . There are several top things to do near Nottingham for families including nature trails and farms.

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Table of Contents

Top 21 Tourist Places to Visit in Nottingham

1. the lace market.

This historic area preserves the heart of the lace industry of the British Empire. It is one of the best places to visit in Nottingham City to admire history. You will see buildings from the Victorian era and the 19th century.

You will see industrial buildings, warehouses, sales rooms, warehouses, and retail stores. These red-brick buildings are tightly packed. There are quite a few interesting things to see in Nottingham.

You will hallmarks of the era such as iron railings, vintage gas lamps, red phone booths, and more. You will need about an hour or so to tour this area when you visit Nottingham.

The Lace Market

2. City of Caves

These caves were carved into sandstone during the Middle Ages. It is a labyrinth of more than 500 ancient caves. Exploring these is one of the most fun things to do in Nottingham’s city centre.

You can take a guided tour to explore the history of these caves. You will how people used them as shelters, cellars, workshops, dwellings, tanneries, etc. You will need about an hour from Nottingham travel to tour these caves.

City of Caves

3. Old Market Square

This is the historical heart of the city. It is the largest public square of its kind in the UK and the second-largest public place in Britain. This square has witnessed over 700 years of history and you will be surrounded by historical Nottingham tourist attractions. You will need about an hour to explore this square.

Old Market Square

4. Nottingham Castle

This castle sits atop a 40 meters high cliff and dates back to 1067. It was rebuilt in 1768. This is one of the top things to do in Nottingham for families. You can explore the castle and the caves beneath it.

Some of the biggest Nottingham attractions you will see while touring the castle includes King David’s dungeon, Duke of New Castle’s Wine Cellar, the Haunted Cave of Sir Roger Mortimer, and so on.

The castle is also associated with incredible people and events including Prince John, King Richard I, Sheriff of Nottingham, and so on. These people have made it one of the most interesting places to see in Nottingham.

This castle is also associated with the legend of Robin Hood and you will see his statue in the castle. You will need about 2 hours from Nottingham sightseeing to tour this magnificent castle.

Nottingham Castle

5. Highfields Park

Spread over 121 hectares, this park dates back to the 18th century. People come here for leisure and outdoor activities to do in Nottingham. It is best known for its boating lake and lakeside arts centre. It takes about an hour to explore this park.

Highfields Park

6. Wollatan Hall

This Elizabethan mansion is one of the most opulent places to visit near Nottingham. The mansion is surrounded by 500 acres of gardens. The house was built during the 1500s and renovated in the 1800s. It still retains much of its original splendour in exterior architecture and interior decor.

The mansion houses the Natural History Museum which focuses on various species of birds and animals.

The collection also features minerals, fossils, and insects. Alongside the museum, you can also tour the mansion to see the life of the elite during the Elizabethan period. It is one of the most interesting places to go in Nottingham and you need 2 hours to tour the place.

Wollatan Hall

7. Green’s Windmill and Science Centre

This restored windmill dates back to 1807. It was built by Mr. Green who was a baker in Sneinton. This is the largest and most powerful among the 20 historical windmills of the town.

It is one of the most important historical places to go in Nottingham. The science centre is dedicated to Mr. Green’s son George Green who published a famous scientific essay.

The science centre focuses on explaining scientific principles through exhibits and interactive games. It has fun indoor activities to do in Nottingham for children. You will need an hour to tour these two places.

Green’s Windmill and Science Centre

8. Nottingham Beach

This is perhaps the most happening spot in the city. It is not actually a beach, but rather an event. You have a large pool surrounded by sand and fun activities in Nottingham.

There are also quite a few beaches near Nottingham facing an actual ocean. The most popular among them are Skegness Beach, Hunstanton Beach, Filey Beach, and Whitby Beach.

You can enjoy a variety of beach and water games. The place has waterpark-like slides, pool games, chairs in the sand, and more.

It also hosts a market selling street food, beverages, and handicraft items. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying at this beach when you visit Nottingham.

Nottingham Beach

9. National Justice Museum

This place has over 600 years of history associated with law enforcement. It is believed to date back to the Normans using the place in 1375. It is one of the best things to do in Nottingham City for those interested in history and some spookiness.

This place is believed to be haunted and many people visit the museum for this reason alone. But, the museum itself is incredible. It has some amazing interactive exhibits that shed light on the history of law enforcement with interesting artefacts.

You will see actors dressed in era-appropriate uniforms narrating their role in the justice system of the time. It is a fun indoor activity to do in Nottingham for families. You will need about an hour and a half to tour this museum.

National Justice Museum

10. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

First established in 1189, this is the oldest pub in England. It was first built into the sandstone crag of the castle. The pub has seen more history than many of the city’s museums and has evolved an interesting character.

It is one of the most interesting places to see in Nottingham. You can enjoy history and a nice drink. Not many places to do that. You should take 30 to 45 minutes to enjoy this pub.

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

11. Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery

This is one of the largest contemporary arts centre in Britain. It is one of the best places to visit in Nottingham for those who admire art. The gallery hosts events exhibiting works of rising and established contemporary artists of Britain.

The gallery has hosted exhibitions of Linder Sterling, David Hockney, Frances Stark, Lara Favaretto, and more. It also pays homage to the lace-making industry of the city. You will need about an hour from Nottingham travel to tour this museum.

Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery

12. D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum

This museum was the birthplace of the renowned English writer D.H. Lawrence. He is best known for the novels Sons and Lovers, The Rainbow, and Women in Love. Lawrence is considered one of the most influential English writers. This makes the museum one of the most important Nottingham tourist attractions.

This museum looks at personal and family life. The house still retains some of the belongings of the Lawrence family. You will get to see some of the artefacts concerning his work as well.

These are some of the most interesting things to see in Nottingham for admirers of literature. You will need about an hour to tour this museum when you visit Nottingham.

D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum

13. St. Mary’s Church

This church dates back to the 14th century. It has been in the lace market since the Saxon times. The church is the largest medieval monument in the city. It is one of the most important historical Nottingham attractions.

The majority of the church is built in Gothic style. The oldest part of the church dates back to 1370. The church is full of historical artefacts, artworks, and architectural features. You will need 30 to 45 minutes from Nottingham sightseeing to tour this place.

St. Mary’s Church

14. Nottingham Industrial Museum

As the name suggests, this museum focuses on the industrial history of the city. You will get to see equipments, photographs, machinery, vehicles, and more. The museum sheds light on textile trade, lace making, knitting, steam engines, ploughing, and more. It is an interesting place to go in Nottingham if you are interested in history. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

Nottingham Industrial Museum

15. Stonebridge City Farm

If you are looking for fun things to do around Nottingham with your family, this farm is a great spot. Here you can experience the English pastoral life. You can interact with a variety of farm animals including pigs, cows, dogs, sheep, goats, ducks, rabbits, and ponies.

The farm also has some fun outdoor activities to do in Nottingham on the farm. You can also get freshly produced food items and prepared meals at this place. You can spend an hour or so at this farm.

Stonebirdge City Farm

16. Newstead Abbey

This mansion is the ancestral home of Lord Byron, the legendary English poet. It is one of the best places to visit near Nottingham. The Abbey dates back to the 12th century. Byron lived at this place on and off.

The Abbey itself is renowned for its historical Gothic architecture and Tudor-style interior decor. You can learn about the various people who once lived here. You will need about an hour to explore this place.

Newstead Abbey

17. Attenborough Nature Reserve

This beautiful nature reserve is a great place for birdwatching. It has boardwalks that let your tour the reserve and see a variety of birds in their natural habitat. The reserve has a variety of landscapes including marshes, lakes, grasslands, woodlands, and mud flats.

Alongside birdwatching, the nature reserve is also quite popular for its nature trails. People love to come here for hiking. It is one of the best things to do near Attenborough for nature lovers. You will need at least 2 hours to explore a trail in this nature reserve.

Attenborough Nature Reserve

18. Sherwood Forest

This is yet another wooded area for fun activities in Nottingham. This forest is best known for being the hideout of Robin Hood. The forest has many attractions related to him, including the famous Major Oak.

The forest also has great walking, hiking, and bicycle trails. It also plays host to the popular Robin Hood Festival, which is one of the best times to visit Nottingham. You can spend an hour or so exploring the paths in this forest.

Sherwood Forest

19. The Exchange (Exchange Arcade)

This opulent Greek architecture-inspired building was constructed in 1920. It is one of the most stunning things to see in Nottingham. The tall pillars and pantheon-like structure give this building a distinct look.

Inside the building is a mall with a variety of high-end outlets. It is one of the best places to visit in Nottingham for fashion shopping. You can easily spend an hour or so at this place, either shopping or admiring the architecture.

The Exchange

20. Meadow Lane Stadium

This stadium is the home ground of English Premier League team Nottingham Forest. If you truly want to experience the local sports culture, catch a home game at this stadium. You can also pick out the team’s jersey from the city to really mingle with the crowd. It is one of the most fun things to do in Nottingham. You will need at least 3 to 4 hours to enjoy an entire match when you visit Nottingham.

Meadow Lane Stadium

21. Hockley

This neighbourhood is considered the creative quarter of the city. It is one of the most popular Nottingham tourist attractions for shopping, dining, and art. The area has several art galleries, trendy cafes and restaurants, theatres, and a happening nightlife scene. You can spend an hour or so from Nottingham sightseeing exploring the place.

Hockley

If you are looking for more places to go in Nottingham, check out the sections below. We have put together an exhaustive list of places to visit and things to do in and around Nottingham.

Things to do in nottingham, monuments, museums & historical places to visit in nottingham.

  • Nottingham Castle
  • Wollaton Hall
  • National Justice Museum
  • Newstead Abbey
  • Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery
  • City of Caves
  • Green’s Windmill and Science Centre
  • Nottingham Industrial Museum
  • Lakeside Arts
  • Nottingham Heritage Railway
  • New Art Exchange
  • Papplewick Pumping Station
  • Framework Knitters Museums
  • Bestwood Country Park
  • The Haunted Museum & Oddities Collection
  • Bennerley Viaduct
  • Nottingham Canal
  • The Robin Hood Experience
  • St. Mary’s Cathedral
  • Djanogly Art Gallery
  • St. Barnabas Cathedral
  • D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum
  • Erewash Museum and Gardens
  • Bromley House Library
  • V21 Artspace
  • Museum of Nottingham Life
  • Nottingham Museum of Archeology
  • Nottingham City Council
  • The Fletcher Gate Art Gallery
  • Canalside Heritage Centre
  • Bestwood Winding Engine House
  • St. Peter’s Church
  • Ruddington Village Museum
  • Bishop of Nottingham Church
  • Museum of Mercian Regiment
  • William Booth Birthplace Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Nottingham

  • Attenborough Nature Reserve
  • Wollaton Hall Gardens and Deer Park
  • Rushcliffe Country Park
  • Colwick Country Park
  • Forest Recreation Ground
  • Manor Farm Park and Woodlands
  • Cotgrave Country Park
  • Grantham Canal
  • Netherfield Lagoons
  • Straws Bridge
  • Skylarks Nature Reserve
  • Hemlock Stone
  • Broxtowe Country Park

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Nottingham

  • Holme Pierrepont Country Park
  • Trent Bridge Cricket Ground
  • Wollaton Park
  • National Ice Centre
  • Highfields Park
  • The Lost City Adventure Golf
  • Gedling Country Park
  • Nottingham Winter Wonderland
  • Attenborough Nature Centre
  • Red Kangaroo Trampoline Park
  • Long Eaton West Park
  • Woodthrope Grange Park
  • Felley Priory
  • Cave Escape Nottingham
  • Spring Lakes Watersports and Leisure Centre
  • Alea Casino
  • Dusk till Dawn Poker Club
  • Arnot Hill Park
  • Floralands Farm Park
  • Brewhouse Yard
  • Grosvenor Casino
  • Clip and Climb Nottingham
  • Burnstump Country Park
  • Eden Softplay
  • Logiclock Escape Room
  • Bramcote Hills Park
  • Bulell Hall Park
  • Nottingham Climbing Centre
  • Nottingham Bowl
  • Teamsport Go Karting
  • St. Ann’s Allotments
  • Mr. Mulligan’s Pirate Golf
  • Nottingham Greyhound Stadium
  • Highfields Park Boating Lake
  • Holme Pierrepont White Water Course

Shopping in Nottingham

  • The Exchange
  • Castle Marina Retail Park
  • Sneinton Market
  • Bridlesmith Gate
  • Intu Victoria Centre
  • Victoria Centre Market
  • The Lace Market
  • Old Market Square
  • Intu Broadmarsh
  • Flying Horse Walk

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Nottingham

  • River Rafting

Sightseeing in Nottingham

  • Robin Hood Statue
  • Stonebridge City Farm
  • Sky Mirror Public Art
  • Beston Lock
  • Lady Bay Bridge
  • Wilford Suspension Bridge

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Nottingham

  • Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem
  • George’s Great British Kitchen
  • The Maharaja’s Retreat
  • Cleaver and Wake
  • Hart’s Kitchen
  • Veryday People
  • Annie’s Burger Shack
  • Bar Iberico
  • The Pudding Pantry
  • Little Brickhouse
  • The Cod’s Scallops
  • Perkins Bar & Bistro
  • The Alchemist

Where to Stay in Nottingham?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Nottingham. You can check the below-listed hotels for your perfect stay in Nottingham.

Luxurious Hotels

  • Hart’s Hotel & Kitchen
  • Lace Market Hotel
  • The Orchard Hotel & Restaurant
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Nottingham – Gateway
  • Colwick Hall Hotel
  • The Jubilee Hotel & Conferences
  • Roomzzz Aparthotel Nottingham City
  • Bestwood Lodge

Mid-Range Hotels

  • Delta by Marriott Hotel Nottingham Belfry
  • Leonardo Hotel Nottingham
  • Crowne Plaza Nottingham, an IHG Hotel
  • Mercure Nottingham City Centre George Hotel
  • Mercure Nottingham Sherwood Hotel
  • Best Western Plus Nottingham City Centre
  • Lace Market Apartments
  • Hilton Nottingham
  • Holiday Inn Nottingham
  • St James Hotel, BW Premier Collection

Budget Hotels

  • Travelodge Nottingham Central Hotel
  • Premier Inn Nottingham City Centre (Chapel Bar) hotel
  • Nelson and Railway Inn and Hotel
  • Travelodge Nottingham Riverside Hotel
  • Ibis Nottingham Centre
  • Travelodge Nottingham Wollaton Park Hotel
  • Premier Inn Nottingham South
  • Premier Inn Nottingham City Centre (Goldsmith Street) Hotel
  • Dwell City Living
  • Premier Inn Nottingham Arena (London Road) Hotel

TripAdvisor

Custom Tours Package in Nottingham

How to reach nottingham.

The closest airport to visit Nottingham is the East Midlands Airport. This airport also serves Leicester and Derby. The airport is about an hour away by bus. The airport receives direct flights from Belfast , Burgas, Paris , Malaga, Alicante, Berlin , Budapest , Dublin , Faro, Krakow , Sofia , Prague , Riga , Barcelona , Marseille , Rome , Valencia , and several other cities of Europe.

You can get direct trains for Nottingham travel from London , Birmingham , Leicester, Crewe, Leeds, Sheffield, and Derby. You can get buses to reach Nottingham from several cities and towns in the UK.

There are no direct water routes to visit Nottingham.

Image Reference

  • The Lace Market – Zoe Clarke / Flickr
  • City of Caves – Immanuel Giel / Wikimedia Commons
  • Old Market Square – Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar / Flickr
  • Nottingham Castle – It’s No Game / Flickr
  • Highfields Park – Arran Bee / Flickr
  • Wollaton Hall – ian kelsall / PixaBay
  • Green’s Windmill and Science Centre – Arran Bee / Flickr
  • Nottingham Beach – Shrini / Flickr
  • National Justice Museum – Karen Bryan / Flickr
  • Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem – rozsagab / Flickr
  • Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery – John Lord / Flickr
  • D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum – nick macneill / Wikimedia Commons / Geograph.org.uk
  • St. Mary’s Church – Billy Wilson / Flickr
  • Nottingham Industrial Museum – Martin Pettitt / Flickr
  • Stonebridge City Farm – David Hallam-Jones / Wikimedia Commons / Geograph.org.uk
  • Newstead Abbey – Tom Parnell / Flickr
  • Attenborough Nature Reserve – Arran Bee / Flickr
  • Sherwood Forest – F. E. Greene / PixaBay
  • The Exchange (Exchange Arcade) – Billy Wilson / Flickr
  • Meadow Lane Stadium – The Stadium Guide / Flickr
  • Hockley – It’s No Game / Flickr
  • 10 Cool Tourist Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Ostend, Belgium
  • 12 Unforgettable Places to Visit and Things to Do in Kitzbühel, Austria

Mustafa Natalwala

Mustafa is a content writer and digital marketing expert at WideWorldTrips.com His mainly interests are into travelling, photography, film-making

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7 Places to Visit in Nottingham – Is it worth visiting?

There are plenty of great places to visit in Nottingham, but before diving into them. If you’re wondering if Nottingham is worth visiting…

The truth is that I’ve visited many places close to Yorkshire , and I wanted to travel somewhere not too far and not too close, so I decided to look into Nottingham.

I remember a friend telling me that Nottingham is a charming place to visit, but I had heard mixed reviews – from “It’s lovely!” to “It isn’t worth a visit”.

However, you must go to Nottingham to create your own opinion of the city. Personally, it’s a great city to visit for a day trip because you have a bit of everything (museums, parks, a good variety of restaurants, monuments, etc.) The city isn’t very big, so that will help you visit almost everything in one day.

In this blog, I’ll tell you some of the reasons why Nottingham should be on your UK bucket list, seven must-see places to visit in Nottingham in a day and my food recommendations.

pin that reads the best places to visit in Nottingham, England

This post contains affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click through and purchase something, I receive a small commission on the price at no extra cost to you. This helps me keep the content up to date and make other improvements to the blog.

Table of Contents

Top Reasons To Visit Nottingham

  • It’s home to the oldest pub in England
  • It’s close to beautiful natural spots
  • Its interesting legends about Robin Hood
  • Its historic buildings
  • Its amazing cafes and restaurants
  • It’s less crowded than other UK destinations

7 Best Places To Visit In Nottingham

1. nottingham castle.

A view of the entrance to Nottingham Castle on a sunny day

One of the best things to do in Nottingham is to visit Nottingham Castle.

Nottingham Castle has been a desirable castle by kings and lords in England, and as a consequence, it has gone through many turbulent events, such as the British Civil War.

This is the perfect place for any history lover as you’ll learn more about the history of this castle and its legends in the great exhibitions and tours.

Apart from the tours, Nottingham’s Castle is also worth visiting for its lush green grounds, where you can enjoy a nice hot drink from one of their cafes.

2. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, the oldest pub in Nottingham

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem , located beneath Nottingham’s Castle Cliff, is the oldest inn and pub in England . Not only can you enjoy a delicious meal, but take their cellar tour to learn more about this pub – where the pub got its name from and much more.

3. City of Caves

City of Caves in Nottingham

City of Caves is a must-see attraction because you’ll learn so much about the history and culture of this city. Nottingham is well-known for its caves, which were used in different ways through the years.

Some of these caves were houses for poor families, but as time passed, it was used for many other reasons, such as a place to have meetings to carry out illegal activities, a place to protect yourself from explosions during the Second World War, a place to make fabric…

This is a 45 minutes guided tour with a history expert that will tell you everything you want to know about the history behind the caves. However, you’ll also have some take to take pictures and wander by yourself.

I loved how informative the tour was and the little breaks between the talks to take pictures and enjoy exploring the caves.

Also, before starting your tour, while you’re waiting, you can glimpse the little souvenir shop near the ticket office. They have beautiful shiny gemstones to purchase.  

Overall, visiting Nottingham Caves is a great experience.

4. Robin Hood Statue 

Robin Hood Statue in Nottingham

If you’re walking around the castle, you won’t miss the Robin Hood statue because it’s located near the castle entrance .

Apart from taking a picture of this statue, you can also see and read the wall plaques that illustrate scenes from the tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men.

📌 Related post : What To Do In Lincoln UK In 2 Days , another great city to visit in the Midlands.

5. Arboretum Park 

Woman in a park in Nottingham

This park is a bit further away from the city centre but within walking distance.

It’s also near the city cemetery, as I found out, to my surprise! It seems like you can access the park from the cemetery too, but when I went, they had closed the back gate.

The park is a great place to relax and enjoy a picnic on a sunny day . As you walk in, you can find the small lake and birdcages on the left. 

The birdcages didn’t have any real birds as expected, but maybe this is because I visited Nottingham in March, and it was still cold.

One of the best things to do is enjoy the squirrels’ company! There are many friendly squirrels running around the trees, so you can be lucky to feed them or take a close picture of them.

6. Old Market Square 

Old Market Square in Nottingham

The main meeting point for locals and tourists , Old Market Square, is where you can find your way to shopping streets and the tourist centre if you want to buy a souvenir or ask for any information.

This square is very impressive, spacious and beautiful, and somehow reminds me of London . But, actually, it’s the largest public space in the UK after London’s Trafalgar Square.

On a sunny day, you can grab a takeaway, sit down and relax watching how people pass or interact with others as well as see how children play and run in the fountain area.

Also, this is where many important events, such as Christmas Winter Wonderland in the winter and Riviera Beach in the summer, take place.

7. Carlton Street

Woman in Carlton Street, Nottingham

If you love visiting vibrant and lively streets wherever you go, you must walk around Carlton Street. I didn’t find this street on anyone’s blogs or travel recommendations, but I always like getting lost in the city, and I found this one while I was there.

Not only is the street vibrant, but full of food options from little cafes to restaurants . One of my favourite things about this street is the LGBT rainbow pedestrian crossing too. It looks so good!

Places to eat in Nottingham

Annie’s burger shack.

Burger and chips from Annie's in Nottingham

I must admit that I look for restaurants and cafes before travelling anywhere. So, I looked in a couple of blogs and TripAdvisor and found Annie’s .   I saw that reviews and comments were positive, so I decided to try it.

The restaurant is a bit hidden in comparison to other restaurants that you can find on the main streets, and we arrived it was a bit empty. They have a big menu to choose from, and you can spend more than 5 minutes deciding what burger you want to have.

There are so many different burgers (Mexican fajita burger, German burger…), and the good thing is that they offer vegetarian and vegan options too.

I ordered the Mexican burger with skinny fries, and it was so good. I just need to warn you that portions are very big , so you’d better be hungry. 

We didn’t wait very long for our burgers, and the staff was very friendly. Also, I was glad we arrived a bit early for dinner because, after 5 minutes of being sat down, the restaurant was full!

Doughnotts 

I licked it so it's mine sign in a cafe

Fancy something sweet? Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Doughnotts ! It’s a little donut shop with a wide variety of tasty donuts, from the famous Homer donut to the salted toffee donut. 

I initially saw they do an avocado donut called the Avocadough, and I wanted to try it. But when I got to the shop, they didn’t have any. Instead of the avo donut, I had a red velvet one, and it was delicious!

You can eat it out or inside! If you go upstairs, they have a cosy area to sit down and enjoy your donut.

Places to stay in Nottingham

Leonardo hotel nottingham (formerly jurys inn).

Leonardo Hotel Nottingham is a 4-star hotel located less than 5 minute walk from the train station and not far from the city centre. It’s only 15 minute walk from Old Market Square where you can find a great variety of shops, restaurants and bars.

The hotel offers comfortable and modern rooms that are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, an ensuite bathroom, a safe, and free WiFi.

🏨 Check out availability and prices here

If you prefer to feel at home and stay somewhere spacious, this river facing townhouse with a balcony and parking at Trent Bridge is for you.

This cosy house includes two of the three bedrooms (a double and twin) that open out onto a beautiful balcony with seating where you can look down onto the riverside and look across to Trent Bridge itself.

This townhouse is also perfect if you plan to spend more than a weekend in Nottingham, as the owner offers good discounts for weekly and longer stays.

So, is Nottingham worth visiting?

Yes! Nottingham is a very underrated city. Most travellers will choose other cities over Nottingham, but this city can surprise you.

There are beautiful places in Nottingham and its surroundings. If you spend more than a day in the city, you should explore beautiful outdoor places like Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve , Wollaton Hall & Park , Newstead Abbey , or the Peak District National Park (one of the most beautiful places near Nottingham).

I hope I’ve inspired you to visit Nottingham and let me know in the comments if you’re adding these places to visit in Nottingham to your UK bucket list!

If you have any questions about Nottingham, don’t hesitate to reach me at cristina[at]mylittleworldoftravelling.com

Safe adventures!

P.S. Enjoyed reading this post? Share it with others.

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Top things to do before visiting Nottingham

  • Book accommodation in Nottingham with Booking or VRBO .
  • If you’re travelling to Nottingham by train,  check train prices here . Are you planning to rent a car instead? Check out Discover Cars for the best deals.
  • Are you planning to go on a day trip from Nottingham? Have a look at this guide .
  • Book travel insurance  for your trip. This is a must for any trip.

Frequently asked questions about Nottingham, UK

Which part of england is nottingham.

It’s part of the East Midlands, in the centre of England.

Is Nottingham a nice place to visit?

Yes, Nottingham is an underrated city, but it has fantastic things to do for everyone, whether you love visiting historical places or parks to eating delicious food.

Is Nottingham safe?

Yes, Nottingham is generally a safe destination for travellers.

Read more about the UK

  • Things to Do in Gretna Green, Scotland
  • Best Things to Do in Halifax, England
  • Great Things To Do in Harrogate in a Day
  • Leeds Attractions and Hidden Gems You Must See
  • 20 Incredible Day Trips From Leeds
  • Best Free Things To Do In Sheffield
  • Best Things to Do in Skipton, Yorkshire
  • Top Free Things To Do In York

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Hola, I’m Cristina, the founder and writer of My Little World of Travelling. I was born and raised in Malaga (Costa del Sol), and I’m passionate about showing you my hometown and other beautiful Andalusian destinations. I help other travellers plan their trips to Spain by providing local advice and unique insights.

30 Comments

Nottingham looks so awesome Cristina! I totally want to go now and I love Robin Hood growing up. 🙂

I’m glad you like it! I think one of the main reasons I wanted to go was Robin Hood 🙂

Oh how great, I had no idea, I´m definitely putting it on the daytrips list for when I visit my friends in the UK again, thanks for sharing!

That’s great to hear 🙂 I think you’ll like it.

I love charming England towns and Nottingham surely looks like one! Especially since I watched Robin Hood too many times when I was young 😀

I think that small towns are more charming than some bigger cities in the UK 🙂

It looks like a nice city to discover! Must be perfect for a weekend getaway in the UK!

Yes, it’s a great place to spend your weekend 🙂

That mexican burger is giving me food envy!

You must try it 🙂 It was delicious

The food alone looks like it’s worth the trip! I’m a sucker for both good burgers and donuts, so I’ll keep those in mind if I ever visit! 🙂

I agree with you! You will love them 🙂

Looks like an interesting place. Awesome picures loved it

Thank you, Madhu 🙂

What a fun place to explore. I had no idea Nottingham had so many caves though. I would also have to visit the Robin Hood statue while I was there. But love smallish cities that you can see in a day or two. Thanks for the tips!

You are welcome, Kelly. I think UK small towns have so much to offer! Not only their city centres but their surroundings 🙂

Sounds like such a nice city! Good thing you decided to visit anyways and love your photos!

Thank you! I’m glad I visited it 🙂

Nottingham is my home city! I’m so glad you liked it, even though I’ve not lived there for several years, my parents still do and I love going back, especially to that Carlton Street area, there’s always new and interesting things that pop up there! Lovely guide xx

It’s great to have someone from Nottingham commenting on my blog 🙂 Carlton Street is one of my favourite places like you say, there are interesting things around. Thank you, Helena xx

Looks like such a nice place! I would love to visit one day when I’m back in Europe 🙂

That would be great!

Looks like a beautiful place to visit, love those caves! And I always love a good donut place 😁

The caves are amazing 🙂 I believe you’d enjoy visiting Nottingham.

Nottingham looks like such a cute place to visit! I love little towns outside of the big cities because you can really see the culture. When I was in England visiting London, on my day trip to Stonehenge we stopped in the town Bath and it was the cutest! Just like what you’d picture from a small town in England, Nottingham looks the same!

Great article! I can’t believe I didn’t know the oldest English pub is in Nottingham. I used to go Nottingham for lacrosse games and never took advantage of the great city. Looking forward to visiting again!

I am VERY not familiar with the UK, so thanks for pointing out where Nottingham was, because I have HEARD of it, but I had no idea where it was in relation to other things. ALSO OMG, the food looks so good! Makes me excited for an eventual UK roadtrip!

I’m so happy you visited Nottingham so you could share your opinion with us. I would love to visit! I’m all about history so would love Nottingham Castle, the caves look super cool and those donuts look amazing!

I hadn’t thought of visiting Nottingham before! It looks like a good idea for a day trip if you’re in the area, and I like the historic points of interest you can visit too.

I used to live in Nottingham, and would walk home through the Arboretum so it was a real trip down memory lane reading this. The Jerusalem is great too! To my shame (I’m pleading student poverty at this point) I never made it to the castle. I’ll have to go back and rectify this glaring omission now I can stretch to the entry fee.

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Home » Travel Guides » United Kingdom » England » 15 Best Places to Visit in Nottinghamshire (England)

15 Best Places to Visit in Nottinghamshire (England)

In the East Midlands, Nottinghamshire has one of England’s most-visited cities and a multitude of towns and villages where history and legend are sometimes hard to distinguish.

In the west of the county agricultural and industrial landscapes blend together, in a region where the novelist D.H. Lawrence grew up and based many of his most important works, and where the  Byron family vault is set.

And the southeast was where the Royalists were based during the English Civil War, and the monuments in the towns of Newark and Southwell still show damage from the fierce fighting that took place here during the deadliest war fought on English soil.

Lets explore the best places to visit in Nottinghamshire :

1. Nottingham

Nottingham

Among England’s top-ten picks for a city break, Nottingham has the shops, dining, entertainment and culture that you demand of a historic destination.

The revamped centre has been pedestrianised and is a breeze to get around on foot.

Nottingham also has the kind of attractions that don’t come along very often, like the Galleries of Justice, which gives you the chance to tour a Victorian gaol and courtroom, where people were sentenced and executed.

The City of Caves invites you to explore the 1,000-year-old man-made tunnels below the city centre, while Wollaton Hall is a spellbinding Elizabethan palace that has been wowing visitors since 1580.

2. Newark-on-Trent

Newark-on-Trent Castle

In the east of the county, not far from the boundary with Lincolnshire, Newark is a town that many students of English history will recognise from the civil war in the 17th century.

During Britain’s deadliest conflict Newark was a royalist stronghold, and the base of their power was Newark castle, which is in good shape remembering that it was partially destroyed and  left to crumble after the war ended.

In the centre of the town at Appleton Gate is the National Civil War Centre, that will walk you through the causes and pivotal events in this conflict, while there’s also a Civil War trail around this handsome old town pointing you to the many riveting sites.

3. Southwell

Southwell Minster

In what may well be Nottinghamshire’s loveliest town, the showpiece in Southwell is the wonderful Norman and gothic Minster.

The pair of western towers are held as one of England’s romanesque masterpieces, while the 14th-century choir screen is also a marvel for its dainty traceries.

Southwell saw vicious fighting in the Civil War and landmarks like the Minster and Episcopal Palace bear 400-year-old damage from this conflict.

As you potter around these streets with local shops and pubs in flat-fronted and timber-framed houses, keep the Saracen’s Head in mind.

This inn was where King Charles I spent his last night of freedom in 1647 and the end of the war.

4. Mansfield

Mansfield Market Square

If you know and love the works of D.H. Lawrence you can see a slice of industrial Nottinghamshire described in novels like Sons and Lovers around Mansfield.

A brief drive west is the Pleasley Colliery, which operated up to 1983 and since then has been cleaned up and conserved as a museum.

The Victorian engine house, chimney stack and headstocks are a part of the region’s legacy that has almost disappeared.

A sightseeing tour of Mansfield will focus on Market Place, where the town’s 700-year-old market sets up.

In the 1800s this was moved from the Buttercross to the west, which was marked by a stone pillar in the 1500s.

5. Sherwood Forest

Major Oak

Everybody has heard of Sherwood Forest from the Robin Hood tales, but what you may not know is that Sherwood was actually known as Birklands and Bilhaugh in medieval times.

This was a vast royal hunting forest that spread into several counties and covered a quarter of modern Nottinghamshire’s territory.

Some 430 hectares of heath and woodland of birch, pines and oak have been preserved outside the village of Edwinstowe.

The county is keen to play up the Robin Hood angle, putting on the medieval-themed Robin Hood Festival in August, with jousts, minstrels and markets.

Any other time be sure to see the ancient Major Oak, cited as one of England’s natural wonders and dated to the 11th century.

Mr Straw's House

On the northern side of the Sherwood Forest, Worksop is also bounded by a district of stately  homes known as the Dukeries, which we’ll come to next.

One of the most compelling attractions in Worksop is a slightly more modest building: Mr Straw’s House.

This is an ordinary Edwardian home that was bequeathed to two brothers when their parents passed away in the 1930s.

It remained untouched for the next 60 years until it was opened as a National Trust property in the 1990s and serves as a perfect time capsule of a middle class family in Edwardian times.

Outside Worksop you can hike through Creswell Crags, a limestone gorge with caves inhabited by prehistoric humans.

These dwellings have the most northerly examples of cave art in Europe.

7. The Dukeries

Thoresby Hall

It doesn’t get finer than this district in the northwest of the county, where four ducal estates are found close together just south of Worksop.

So if grand houses and country gardens are up your alley the Dukeries should be in your plans.

The trouble with Worksop Manor, Clumber House, Thoresby Hall and Welbeck Abbey is picking just one or two to visit, because they all have something  to recommend them, whether it’s history full of intrigue or beautiful walled kitchen gardens.

Another property, Rufford Abbey, wasn’t a ducal seat, but is part of the trail, having been turned into a country house after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1500s.

Open Field - Laxton

Far from Nottinghamshire’s main roads and motorways, Laxton would be any other sleepy country village, but for a system of land management that is straight out of the medieval period.

Laxton has the last open field system in Europe, where the village’s three fields are divided into strips and farmed by different landowners.

It’s not easy to explain, but there’s a heritage centre at the Dovecote pub in the village explaining everything you need to know.

Just north of Laxton you can make out the earthworks of what used to be Laxton Castle, a Norman motte and bailey fortress from around the start of the early-1200s.

Tuxford - St Nicholas

An idyllic village with a peculiar history, Tuxford was once vital to the transport system in the East Midlands.

It is on the Great North Road, a coaching route that ran from Smithfield Market in London to Newcastle.

Today the A1 road traces much of this route.

Tuxford was a coaching town, where stagecoaches would change mounts or where people travelling cross country would spend the night.

You don’t need to look hard to see signs of this role: The Museum of the Horse is in a former coach house and tells you all about the history of horse-drawn transport in England.

Unmissable in the countryside just north of the village is the Tuxford Windmill, which still mills flour for you to buy, and has a sweet tearoom in its outbuilding.

10. Retford

Chesterfield Canal - Retford

In the county’s northernmost reaches, Retford is a distinguished market town centred on a large market square with regal Georgian townhouses and little shopping streets that invite you to see what you can discover.

If the Town Hall on the square looks a little out of place, that’s because it’s slightly newer than the buildings around it, and was built in Victorian times in the French renaissance style.

The littlest holidaymakers will be crazy about Sundown Adventureland, an acclaimed amusement park aimed exclusively at u10s.

And for grown-ups there’s the Bassetlaw Museum where you can investigate the ties between northern Nottinghamshire and the USA.

11. Babworth and Scrooby

St. Wilfrid's Church - Scrooby

A rather large number of the people who were on the Mayflower for its momentous voyage to America in 1620 came from a couple of villages just west of Retford.

People like William Brewster were Brownists, who were disaffected with the Anglican Church and wanted to make further reforms on top of the ones that had taken place in the previous hundred years.

So for anyone who’d like to unearth the very roots of America you could spend some time visiting All Saints’ Church in Babworth and St Wilfrid’s in Scrooby where Separatist ideas were first shared.

12. Hucknall and Eastwood

St Mary Magdalene - Hucknall

Just five miles apart, in Nottinghamshire’s mining region, are two towns associated with three of the most influential figures of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Start with the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Hucknall, which is where the Bryon family vault is found.

So not only is the romantic writer Lord Byron interred here, but also his daughter Ada Lovelace, who is considered the first computer programmer.

Then, Eastwood is where  the early-20th-century novelist D. H. Lawrence was born in 1885: His first home is the D. H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum and has everyday items belonging to what was a working class mining family.

Kelham Hall

After that last night of freedom in Southwell in 1647, Charles I surrendered and was duly brought to Kelham Hall where he was held by the Scots.

Kelham Hall is a Grade I property that got a gothic-revival facelift in the 19th century.

Today the estate is a 20-hectare country park, with pristine gardens and even a campsite by the River Trent if you’d like to stay a night or two in summer.

The Hall meanwhile is hired out for events like weddings, but you can call in at the tea rooms for a cuppa in a location imbued with a riveting history.

14. East Markham

East Markham, St John the Baptist church

In the Bassetlaw district, East Markham is a small and very peaceful village with not much more than a single pub.

A strange characteristic here is that the Parish Church of St John the Baptist is on the southern edge of East Markham and not surrounded by it.

The explanation for this is that the entire village was shifted during medieval times because of plague.

As the village is nestled in a conservation area, East Markham has some of Nottinghamshire’s most pleasing countryside, a patchwork of orchards, vegetable and cereal farms crossed by remote country lanes, footpaths and bridleways.

The Square, Gotham

We know you’ve heard this name somewhere before.

Well the relationship between an idyllic village in Nottinghamshire and Batman’s city isn’t as coincidental as you might think.

DC’s Gotham is named after New York, and New York got the complimentary nickname “Gotham” in the early 19th century from the writer Washington Irving.

He recalled a famous story about residents of the original Gotham’s ingenuity in medieval times, in which they feigned madness (then believed to be contagious) to avoid having the king’s road built through the village, and so avoiding all the obligations that came with it.

And as for the name’s meaning, it’s “Goat’s Home”, which doesn’t sound so glamorous!

15 Best Places to Visit in Nottinghamshire (England):

  • Newark-on-Trent
  • Sherwood Forest
  • The Dukeries
  • Babworth and Scrooby
  • Hucknall and Eastwood
  • East Markham

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You are here > Explore > Nottingham

Known throughout the world for the famous legend of Robin Hood, today Nottingham is one of the UK’s most thriving and creative cities. A destination alive with dynamic culture; our castles, caves and cultural attractions unite the past and present, providing a fascinating place to explore, whatever your interests.

Presiding over the city on a rocky cliff, the legendary Nottingham Castle , fresh off the back of a £30m transformation, has been called the ‘Jewel in Nottingham’s Crown’. Carved into the craggy rock face below, you’ll find the 800-year-old Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem , said to be England’s oldest inn. It's an excellent traditional pub for procuring fine local ales. Venture deeper down and you can explore Nottingham’s subterranean cave network at the City of Caves , with the thrilling National Justice Museum nearby presenting an extensive and grisly history of crime and punishment.

Back above ground, the city centre is largely pedestrianised and compact, making Nottingham perfect for relaxed strolling, sight-seeing, and shopping.  Nottingham Contemporary is our free modern art gallery, with compelling exhibitions from international artists to explore, while Debbie Bryan’s studio merges heritage and modern arts and crafts in the Lace Market. You can also enjoy glorious tea, cake and mouthwatering sandwiches in their award-winning tea room.

Along with the  Victoria shopping centre , a great selection of high street favourites and independent boutique shops , Nottingham's rapidly growing independent retail scene is alive and thriving, ensuring you can find unique and inspiring treats and gifts.  Take an evening stroll and you’re be sure to come across a spot of entertainment to suit your taste. Whether you fancy art house movies at Broadway Cinema , gin tasting in The Malt Cross caves, a spectacular concert at Motorpoint Arena , or a spot of crazy golf at The Lost City  there’s always something going on – or just take your pick of shows at one of the four city centre theatres . For music lovers, Nottingham has some of the best venues in the country, and with a booming literary scene there are performances to be caught most nights of the week! If all that excitement is making you hungry, finding delicious food and drink in Nottingham has never been easier. A medley of fine dining, friendly cafes and award-winning eateries fill the streets, with choices from Michelin starred Sat Bains with Rooms to Annie’s Burger Shack to satisfy your hunger.

Whether you visit for a whistle stop cultural crawl or settle in for the weekend, there’s no doubt you’ll leave inspired and delighted by Nottingham’s unique charm. You may not want to go home!

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Beeston Marina

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Fox and Hounds

Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre & National Nature Reserve

Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre & National Nature Reserve

Hambleton bakery.

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What's On This Weekend

National Holocaust Museum

The National Holocaust Centre and Museum

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City of Caves

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Rufford Abbey Country Park

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East Midlands Designer Outlet

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Southwell Minster

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The Workhouse

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Ezekial Bone Tours

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Newark Castle

The Lace Market Nottingham

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Orchard Hotel

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Primrose House

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20 Crown Street

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Bar Iberico

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Josephine's Tea Room and Cafe

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Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem

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Colwick Hall

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Wollaton Hall

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Attractions around Nottingham

The top 10 attractions around nottingham.

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St. Peters Church

Hiking Highlight

St Peter's is one of the three mediaeval parish churches in Nottingham, the others being St Mary's and St Nicholas. The parish of St. James' Church, Standard Hill, founded in … read more

Wollaton Hall

A marvellous 16th-century Elizabethan country house, the striking symmetrical architecture of Wollaton Hall now houses a natural history museum. The park that surrounds the hall is a lovely place for … read more

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Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.

Robin Hood Statue

No visit to Nottingham is complete without a photo at the Robin Hood statue, which is located right outside the Nottingham Castle entrance. You can take your photo next to … read more

The Theatre Royal

Built in 1865 the theatre has had several owners of varying success over the years. In 1969 the council bought the theatre and have run it ever since. The current program can be found at trch.co.uk

The Left Lion

Beloved by locals as a famous ‘meeting place’, Nottingham’s Left Lion is one of two stone lions situated either side of the steps leading to the front entrance of the … read more

Highfields Park

Highfields Park was part of an estate built and landscaped in the late 18th and early 19th century. In 1920 Sir J Boot bought the estate and used it as … read more

University Park Lakeside Arts Centre

Running Highlight

Lakeside cafe and arts centre on the edge of the lake on the University of Nottingham's university park campus. Perfect spot to stop for a coffee with a view of … read more

Bulwell Hall

Built in 1770 by John Newton, Bulwell Hall is today in ruin and is surrounded by pleasant parkland boasting twin lakes and an 18-hole golf course. Two small areas of … read more

Tip by Alex Foxfield

Urban single track

Bike Touring Highlight

An urban single track parallel to Hucknall Rd. from Arnold Rd. to Bestwood Country Park. Once there you can have a mix of fire road and short flowy trails (usually used by horses) to spend a couple of hours.

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem pub

A trip to Nottingham would be incomplete without a trip to Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, which has the claim to be being the oldest inn in the England. It … read more

Map of the Top 10 Attractions around Nottingham

Popular around nottingham.

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Explore the most popular Tours around Nottingham

Still not found the Highlight you’re looking for? See guides of the top attractions in other regions:

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  • Castle Donington
  • Long Whatton And Diseworth
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  • Lincolnshire
  • Sutton Cheney
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  • Stoke Golding
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places visit nottingham

Places to visit in Nottingham

Looking for things to do in Nottingham? Follow in Robin Hood’s footsteps amongst the royal hunting grounds of Sherwood Forest with its centuries-old Major Oak. Or visit the city’s thriving independent shopping scene which bustles obliviously above a network of over 800 sandstone caves, carved out in the Dark Ages. Anyone for cricket? Fast bowlers spin at Trent Bridge test matches. Art lovers can visit the world-class Nottingham Contemporary arts centre. Nottingham’s truly got something for everyone.

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places visit nottingham

Try your hand at archery in Sherwood Forest

Get merry with your gang with an experience Robin Hood himself would have approved of, right in the heart of Nottingham’s famous Sherwood Forest.

Location: Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire

places visit nottingham

New Ways to see Sherwood Pines Forest

Discover Sherwood Pines Forest on two wheels, with Go Ape’s Segway tours through Robin Hood country.

places visit nottingham

Head off-road on two wheels in Sherwood Forest

From family cycle trails to extreme mountain biking, Sherwood Pines Forest offers the best when it comes to getting active on two wheels.

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Spring into action on a family adventure break near Nottingham

From picnics to paddles, Nottinghamshire is ideal for a springtime family adventure break, with an abundance of things to do and places to explore.

Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

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Swing through the treetops in Sherwood Forest

Connect with your inner monkey as you swing through the trees at Go Ape in Sherwood Forest.

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Get back to nature at Attenborough Nature Reserve

The tranquil waters of the beautiful Attenborough Nature Reserve in Nottingham set the landscape for discovering and watching wildlife at its best.

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Enjoy a camping weekend at the National Water Sports Centre

Take advantage of a budget break in Nottingham with a camping weekend at the National Water Sports centre, just 10 minutes from the heart of the city.

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Unlace Nottingham’s lacemaking heritage

Nottinghamshire was once the heart of the world’s lace making industry, and it has a proud industrial heritage still strong today.

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Find yourself on a farm in the heart of Nottingham

Stonebridge City Farm is a slice of the countryside in the heart of a city centre.

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Stay in a secret chalet in rural Nottinghamshire

Enjoy a romantic stay in a beautiful chalet in the grounds of Langar Hall, and explore the surrounding area including country walks and walled gardens.

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Immerse yourself in Byron's Nottinghamshire

Discover why notorious romantic poet Lord Byron was 'mad, bad and dangerous to know', with a sumptuous stay at his former home.

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Discover DH Lawrence country

Discover DH Lawrence country on the edge of Nottingham and follow in the footsteps of the county's most controversial literary hero.

Location: Eastwood, Nottinghamshire

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Lose yourself in Neverland at Nottingham Arboretum

The Arboretum just outside Nottingham’s city centre is said to be the inspiration behind J.M. Barrie’s classic children’s tale ‘Peter Pan’.

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October events: Get giddy at the Nottingham Goose Fair

The Goose Fair is one of Europe’s largest travelling fairs and is one of Nottingham’s oldest traditions, dating back more than 700 years.

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October events: Get merry on local brews at the Robin Hood Beer Festival

With its fine selection of beer and cider stalls, many of which offer local produce, Nottingham's Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival is a great place for drink connoisseurs.

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Hunt for ghosts at the National Justice Museum

Named one of the most haunted buildings in Britain, the National Justice Museum was once home to the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham.

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Join Nottingham's famous ghost walk

The Original Nottingham Ghost Tours will take you on a spine-tingling walk around a city which is steeped in history.

Rides and play area at Wheelgate Park in Nottinghamshire

Ride a unicorn at Robin Hood’s Wheelgate Park

From ball pits to soak zones and plenty of furry friends, Robin Hood's Wheelgate Park is a must-visit for fun-loving families.

Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

places visit nottingham

Enjoy a drink at England’s oldest pub

Built into a cave system underneath Nottingham Castle, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem (or ‘The Trip’ as locals call it) is a legend among English inns.

places visit nottingham

Visit the real Wayne Manor in Nottingham

Wollaton Hall took on a very special role in when it appeared as ‘Wayne Manor’ in The Dark Knight Trilogy.

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Make Christmas a family time with Forest Holidays

Gather your friends and family and start planning a memorable Christmas in one of Forest Holiday’s luxurious log cabins in Sherwood Forest.

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Grand listed buildings, riverside panoramas – and a city bursting with both pop and culture. Trips to this Merseyside city start at Liverpool Pier to snap the trio of iconic buildings.

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THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Nottingham

Things to do in nottingham, explore popular experiences, tours in and around nottingham.

places visit nottingham

Unravel the Secrets: Nottingham's Robin Hood Treasure Hunt!

places visit nottingham

Maid Marian and Robin Hood Outdoor Escape Game in Nottingham

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Pony trekking 45mins - PT45

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Watson Fothergill Walk: Architecture of Victorian Nottingham Guided Tour

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Oxford Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK

places visit nottingham

Fun and Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Nottingham with Hidden Gems

places visit nottingham

Nottingham Quest: Self Guided City Walk & Immersive Treasure Hunt

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Alpaca Experience - trek around our farm then meet the alpacas

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Baroness Bolsover's Town Tour with Afternoon Tea

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Hunted in the Peak District

Private sightseeing tours.

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Top Attractions in Nottingham

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Other Top Attractions around Nottingham

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Tours & Sightseeing

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Walking & Biking Tours

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Cultural & Theme Tours

What travellers are saying.

Ryan T

  • Wollaton Hall and Park
  • National Justice Museum
  • The City of Caves
  • The Arboretum
  • Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall
  • Bestwood Country Park
  • Burntstump Country Park
  • Framework Knitters' Museum
  • Sherwood Forest Activity Centre
  • Skirmish Paintball Games Nottingham
  • meetspaceVR (ft Zero Latency) - Nottingham
  • Games Workshop Warhammer World

IMAGES

  1. Nottingham Historic Two Day Itinerary • 4 Star Hotel

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  2. Top 16 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Nottinghamshire

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  3. 7 top Nottingham attractions

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  4. Top 16 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Nottinghamshire

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  5. Top 16 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Nottinghamshire

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  6. 15 besten Aktivitäten in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire, England)

    places visit nottingham

COMMENTS

  1. 16 Top Tourist Attractions & Places to Visit in Nottingham

    1. Old Market Square Old Market Square . Nottingham's old city center boasts several important tourist attractions. It's here that you'll find Old Market Square, the largest such public space in England and home to the Nottingham Tourism Centre, an important first stop before exploring the city.On the east side of the square is the Neoclassical Council House, crowned by an imposing dome.

  2. THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Nottingham

    2023. 1. National Justice Museum. 1,859. History Museums. A visit to the National Justice Museum tends to stay with people long after they've left. A museum of crime, punishment and social justice, we are based in the Grade II* listed Shire Hall in Nottingham. Over five floors, our building houses a Victorian courtroom, Georgian gaol, and ...

  3. 13 Amazing Places to Visit in Nottingham for a Great Day Out [2024]

    5. Hockley. Hockley is Nottingham's bohemian hotspot, and its Victorian buildings house everything from tattoo parlours and record stores to second-hand bookstores and vintage clothing stores. Some of the most amazing places to visit in Nottingham are tucked away in the streets of Hockley.

  4. 15 Best Things to Do in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire, England)

    Let's explore the best things to do in Nottingham: 1. Wollaton Hall. Source: Electric Egg / Shutterstock.com. Wollaton Hall. This marvellous Tudor house created a big stir when it was built in the 1580s. Commissioned by Sir Francis Willoughby, Wollaton Hall was a "prodigy house" in a bold Elizabethan/Jacobean style, influencing English ...

  5. Attractions and Places to Visit In Nottingham

    Attractions and Places to Visit In Nottingham. Famous for the legend of Robin Hood, as well as being the former home of Lord Byron, Nottingham is a city which is proud of its rich heritage. Historical and cultural credentials include a 17th century castle and a medieval labyrinth of caves. A pair of stone lions watch over the 1920s Council ...

  6. The Nottingham Bucket List: The Top 50 Things To Do and Authentic

    2. Have a pint in the oldest inn in England. No visit to Nottingham is complete without checking out Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem , the oldest inn in England. Built into the cliffside, the cosy rooms and nooks are carved from the rock on which Nottingham Castle stands - part museum, part thriving traditional pub, and utterly unmissable! 3.

  7. Nottingham Attractions & Places to Visit

    Find its cultural quarter, The Lace Market, fusing old-world architecture with the cool indie vibes of restaurants and bars. Take a ghoulish tour under one of England's oldest pub or set yourself loose in the wilds of parklands and adrenaline-filled fun in the acres of Nottingham's famous Sherwood Forest. And for sports' lovers - enjoy ...

  8. Things to Do in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

    A visit to Nottinghamshire gives you the chance to explore legendary landscapes like Sherwood Forest, dive into rich history as you unravel the stories of Robin Hood and Nottingham Castle, and enjoy shopping and dining in a modern, creative city. Go into the great outdoors and discover our fascinating network of caves and the enchanting ...

  9. THE 10 BEST Nottingham Sights & Historical Landmarks to Visit (2024)

    Peter's Square is St Peter's Church, a wonderful looking church that's one of the landmark buildings in Nottingham. 20. Lowdham Village Hall. 26. Points of Interest & Landmarks. By 625lynn. I can't wait until my next visit to the Village Hall. Plenty of parking at the front and side of the hall. 21.

  10. Attractions

    Visit the Lace Centre near the castle to find out more and in the Lace Market itself, there's St Mary's Church featured in ballads of Robin Hood, and the National Justice Museum which gives a tour of crime and punishment through the ages. Sometimes the most captivating features of an area are not those which stand out immediately.

  11. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Nottingham

    2023. 1. National Justice Museum. 1,859. History Museums. A visit to the National Justice Museum tends to stay with people long after they've left. A museum of crime, punishment and social justice, we are based in the Grade II* listed Shire Hall in Nottingham. Over five floors, our building houses a Victorian courtroom, Georgian gaol, and ...

  12. 20 Places to Visit in Nottingham, Tourist Places & Attractions

    4. Rufford Abbey - Rufford Abbey is one of the places to see in Nottingham, having a children's play village, a sandpit, and a maze in addition to ducks to feed and a collection of sculptures to discover around the grounds. Location - Rufford Abbey Country Park, Ollerton NG22 9DF, United Kingdom.

  13. 30 BEST Places to Visit in Nottingham (UPDATED 2024)

    2023. 1. National Justice Museum. 1,859. History Museums. A visit to the National Justice Museum tends to stay with people long after they've left. A museum of crime, punishment and social justice, we are based in the Grade II* listed Shire Hall in Nottingham. Over five floors, our building houses a Victorian courtroom, Georgian gaol, and ...

  14. Places to visit in Nottinghamshire

    Places to visit in Nottinghamshire. Looking for things to do in Nottinghamshire? You'll find deep forests steeped in folklore, bustling modern shopping centres, and a type of museum unique to Nottingham. Delve into the Robin Hood legend as you explore his home of Sherwood Forest. The forest and its surrounding landscape and park abbeys ...

  15. Top 20 tourist attractions in Nottingham

    One of the more relaxing tourist attractions in Nottingham, visit Green's Mill on a nice breezy day and watch the windmill in action. 3. Nottingham Castle. Location: Nottingham Castle Trust, Lenton Road, Nottingham, NG1 6EL. Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Entry fees: £12 once and can visit all year

  16. 21 Things to Do in Nottingham

    Top 21 Tourist Places to Visit in Nottingham 1. The Lace Market. This historic area preserves the heart of the lace industry of the British Empire. It is one of the best places to visit in Nottingham City to admire history. You will see buildings from the Victorian era and the 19th century.

  17. 7 Places To Visit In Nottingham

    Apart from the tours, Nottingham's Castle is also worth visiting for its lush green grounds, where you can enjoy a nice hot drink from one of their cafes. 2. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, located beneath Nottingham's Castle Cliff, is the oldest inn and pub in England. Not only can you enjoy a delicious meal, but take ...

  18. 15 Best Places to Visit in Nottinghamshire (England)

    Lets explore the best places to visit in Nottinghamshire: 1. Nottingham Source: flickr Nottingham. Among England's top-ten picks for a city break, Nottingham has the shops, dining, entertainment and culture that you demand of a historic destination. The revamped centre has been pedestrianised and is a breeze to get around on foot.

  19. Nottingham

    Nottingham. Known throughout the world for the famous legend of Robin Hood, today Nottingham is one of the UK's most thriving and creative cities. A destination alive with dynamic culture; our castles, caves and cultural attractions unite the past and present, providing a fascinating place to explore, whatever your interests.

  20. Attractions and Places To See around Nottingham

    There are plenty of places to see and visit around Nottingham. Whether you love hiking or cycling, Nottingham is a region where 10 hidden gems are waiting to be explored and visited. Check the top places to visit in the region and plan your next adventure today.

  21. Visit Nottingham for Historic City Breaks

    Places to visit in Nottingham . Looking for things to do in Nottingham? Follow in Robin Hood's footsteps amongst the royal hunting grounds of Sherwood Forest with its centuries-old Major Oak. Or visit the city's thriving independent shopping scene which bustles obliviously above a network of over 800 sandstone caves, carved out in the Dark ...

  22. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Nottingham

    2023. 1. National Justice Museum. 1,859. History Museums. A visit to the National Justice Museum tends to stay with people long after they've left. A museum of crime, punishment and social justice, we are based in the Grade II* listed Shire Hall in Nottingham. Over five floors, our building houses a Victorian courtroom, Georgian gaol, and ...