Nottinghamshire is known for its forests, stately manors and the legend of Robin Hood. The county capital of Nottingham played a huge role in the country’s Industrial Revolution with its tobacco and lace trades and is now a thriving urban hub. Experience the energy of the county’s main city and the calm of the countryside around it.
Among the most famous sites in the county is Sherwood Forest Country Park, in northern Nottinghamshire. Stroll through the 450-acre (180-hectare) forest, enjoy a picnic and watch for red kites above. Admire some of the 900 veteran oak trees and find the Major Oak, whose hollow trunk is said to have sheltered a fleeing Robin Hood.
South of the forest is Rufford Abbey, which was converted into a country house in the 16th century. Explore the park and nature reserve surrounding the mansion.
Farther south again is Southwell Minster, a large 12th-century cathedral that towers over the surrounding village. Admire the impressive Norman architecture and the Romanesque design of the towers and nave.
The city of Nottingham is packed with historical and cultural attractions. Peruse the stately chambers of Wollaton Hall, which was used for the filming of a 2012 Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises. The mansion’s vast parkland is ideal for picnics.
Trace the evolution of the legend of Robin Hood at the Galleries of Justice Museum, a former court, police station and prison with eerie dungeons. The Lace Market area of town, full of Victorian warehouses used during the 19th-century lace trade, has attractions ranging from the old Saxon-era St. Mary’s Church to the new Nottingham Contemporary art center. Don’t leave without trying the Bakewell tart, a sweet pastry specialty.
Like most of England, weather here can be unpredictable. Winters are cold and wet, while summers are generally warmer. Nottinghamshire is located in the Midlands region of England. To get here, fly into the East Midlands Airport or travel by train.
Legend, heritage and scenery come together in the forested county of Nottinghamshire.