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Nottingham is the undisputed capital of the East Midlands. It is the 9th largest travel-to-work area in England with a population of 740,000 and 3 million people within an hour's drive. It is also the fastest growing major city in the UK in terms of job creation.
Nottingham is close to the centre of England at the heart of the East Midlands. It is approximately 120 miles from London and 50 miles north of Birmingham.
History is never far away however, with reminders of Nottingham's legendary hero Robin Hood and his historic adversary the Sheriff of Nottingham. The Sheriff of Nottingham along with the Lord Mayor of Nottingham is elected annually. to represent the city.
Among Nottingham's important historical sites and features are its unique labyrinth of caves under the city, the splendid mansion that is now Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery, with, close by, the spot where Charles I raised his standard to begin the English Civil War, and Wollaton Hall, one of the most ornate Tudor buildings in Britain, with its 500-acre deer park. They all have stories to tell about Nottingham's colorful past and the city's place in the history of this country.
Nottingham has one of the most sophisticated urban environments with a £200 million canal quarter, more café-bars and elegant restaurants than any comparable city, an enviable reputation for clubs, theatres, cinemas and galleries. It is one of the top four retail centers in the country.
Nottingham Castle
Commanding spectacular views of the city and as grand as Windsor Castle, the city fortress holds art galleries, a museum, caves and other attractions, not least of which is a statue to the famed outlaw in the fore courtyard.
Lace Market
Once Nottingham’s most famous industry, lace making has since declined in importance but is still one of the most fascinating attractions in the city, with everything from demonstrations of hand lace-making to exhibitions and of course a shop selling exquisite lace items.
Brew house Yard
A charmingly quirky museum offering exhibits on daily life of Nottingham citizens over the past 100 years. Tucked into the rocks at the base of the Castle, many of the exhibition rooms are actually in caverns once used to store beer from the local brewery.
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
Claiming to be the oldest pub in Britain, this is a popular attraction for thirsty visitors, not least because about half of it is set deep inside a cavern.
Nottingham Caves
Explore the city’s ancient past in the well-preserved exhibits found beneath the cities in this fascinating attraction. The caves, both man-made and natural, have been used as everything from beer cellars to bomb shelters.
Galleries of Justice
Experience the English justice system through the ages, see what kinds of punishments were handed out, join in the dramas of the court house.
Open Tue - Sun and Bank Holidays 10am - 5pm
Bestwood country park
650 acres of woodland, heath and water meadow. Popular for bird watching, country walks and woodland trails.
Colwick Country Park
A picturesque park with woodland trails meandering around the edge of grassland and lakes. Formed from former gravel workings the grasslands and watercourse are a haven for wildlife. In addition to sports and leisure activities, there is a playground shaded by trees.
Great Central Railways
A working museum offering steam train rides on the Great Central Main line, it has the only preserved double track mainline in the country.
Open daily 9am - 5pm (June - Sept trains run every day, at other times run at the weekends only)
Greens Windmill
A working 19th century windmill with museum and science centre. Once owned by George Green, physicist and mathematician.
Open Wed - Sun and Bank Holidays 10am - 4pm
National Water Sports Centre and Country Park
Events most weekends. Activities include rowing, flat water and slalom canoeing, sailing and water skiing, set in 270 acres of Country Park.
Wollaton Hall & Park
Set in 500 acres of parkland with a lake and deer herd. Wollaton Hall is a stately Tudor house which is home to the Natural History museum.
Hall open daily 11am - 4pm
Grounds open until dusk.
The Industrial museum and Yard gallery can be found in the grounds
Sherwood Forest
Home to Robin Hood and favored hunting ground of British kings, Sherwood Forest is possibly the best-known named woodland in the world. "Ancient Sherwood" is the name used by many historians, and ancient it is indeed. The Major Oak, (the oldest tree in Sherwood) is in the heart of the old forest.
Despite the ravages of land clearance, there are over 1000 acres of woodland left, with the highest concentration of truly ancient oak trees in England (some 900 trees being over 500 years old).
Robin Hood
Robin Hood, Nottinghamshire's greatest legend, is supposed to have lived and 'worked' in Sherwood, and there are hundreds of tales which place him here, many of which are told around the world. It is said of Robin that he "stole from the rich, gave to the poor", and whatever the truth of the stories, he has done much to put the Forest on the world map.
Most of the tales place him in the area during the late 12th century, and some attempts have been made to pin his presence here down to the years 1193-4. It is said of him that he once hid in the Major Oak whilst fleeing from the King's men. Whatever the truth of these tales, his notoriety has brought Sherwood Forest to life again in the 20th century, and hundreds of thousands of tourists visit each year. Whether he was a simple thief, poacher, common villain or folk hero, it is Robin who is associated with this great forest in the minds of many. |
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