Nottinghamshire is one of those counties where history and myth have become thoroughly tangled. This is Robin Hood country, where men in green tights still make occasional appearances, and Sherwood Forest whispers with centuries of slightly embellished tales. But beyond the legends, Nottinghamshire offers grand estates, old market towns, industrial heritage, and a landscape that rolls along in a quietly agreeable way.
It is a county where England’s stories feel especially well-worn, and rather good company.
Nottingham, castles and outlaws with very good PR
Nottingham itself mixes medieval history with modern bustle. The castle sits on its sandstone rock, rebuilt as a stately mansion but still enjoying its lofty view over the city. Beneath it, a network of ancient caves honeycombs the sandstone, once used for everything from storage to escape routes.
The city’s Robin Hood connections remain front and centre, with statues, walking tours and souvenir shops gently encouraging visitors to suspend disbelief for a while. Whether or not Robin ever existed quite as the ballads suggest, Nottingham plays its part with great enthusiasm.
Sherwood Forest, oaks and a bit of folklore
A short drive north brings you into Sherwood Forest, once much larger, now carefully preserved as a country park full of ancient oak trees, winding paths and a sense of quiet mystery. The Major Oak – reputed hiding place of Robin Hood and his band – still stands, held up by wooden supports like a venerable old actor propped up for one final curtain call.
The forest may no longer echo with the clash of swords, but the sense of history lingers, especially on misty mornings when it feels as though anything might step from behind the trees.
Grand houses, ducal estates and plenty of chimneys
Nottinghamshire does stately homes with a certain northern confidence. Welbeck Abbey, once a grand ducal estate, remains partly private but offers glimpses into its impressive past. Clumber Park, managed by the National Trust, offers wide open parkland, lakeside walks and one of the longest ornamental avenues of lime trees you will find anywhere.
Newstead Abbey, once home to the poet Lord Byron, sits quietly among gardens and lakes, its romantic ruins and slightly scandalous backstory making it one of the more poetic stately homes in the country.
Market towns, quiet lanes and very solid stonework
Outside the city, Nottinghamshire’s towns tick along with steady charm. Newark-on-Trent offers a handsome market square, riverside walks and a rather fine ruined castle that has watched over the River Trent for centuries. Southwell boasts one of England’s most beautiful cathedrals (technically a minster), complete with intricate stone carvings that have been admired for nearly 900 years.
Villages like Edwinstowe, Retford and Worksop offer peaceful streets, proper butcher’s shops and pubs where the Sunday roast is not so much a meal as a tradition.
Mines, industry and the coal that fuelled an empire
Much of Nottinghamshire’s recent history is tied to its coalfields. The mining industry once dominated life here, shaping communities and skylines alike. Though the mines have long since closed, their legacy remains an important part of local identity, remembered in museums, memorials and the determined pride of former pit villages.
Where England’s stories still feel close
Nottinghamshire may not shout quite as loudly as some of its neighbours, but it offers a county full of stories — some true, some cheerfully embroidered — and a landscape where history feels surprisingly close at hand. After a few days here, you may find yourself half-expecting to see an outlaw slip quietly into the woods, longbow in hand.
Top 10 reasons to visit Nottinghamshire
1. Robin Hood still lurks in the forest
You can’t move two feet in Nottinghamshire without bumping into Robin Hood. Sherwood Forest is where it all began, with the hulking Major Oak still standing like a pensioner oak with stories to tell. There are tours, festivals, and the occasional fellow in tights, all delightfully earnest about keeping the legend alive.
2. A city that wears its history well
Nottingham has a knack for mixing the old with the lively. The castle has been blown up, rebuilt, and reinvented, the Lace Market is all cobbles and character, and the shops and nightlife buzz with energy. It’s the sort of place where you can admire medieval ruins one minute and find yourself in a rooftop cocktail bar the next.
3. Sherwood Forest, minus the arrows
Even if you couldn’t care less about outlaws, Sherwood Forest is still a rather wonderful tangle of ancient oaks and woodland trails. You’ll find walkers, cyclists, and dogs that look far too pleased with themselves. It’s peaceful, green, and every bit as atmospheric as you’d hope.
4. Pubs carved into caves
Nottingham claims Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem as England’s oldest inn, which has been serving pints since the Crusades were considered current affairs. Built into sandstone caves beneath the castle, it’s the sort of pub where you expect knights to stroll in for a quick half.
5. Caves galore
Speaking of caves, Nottingham has more of them than seems entirely reasonable, over 800 in fact. They were once homes, breweries, and wartime shelters, and now you can wander underground like a happy mole, marvelling at how entire streets have been hollowed out beneath your feet.
6. Literary ghosts
Nottinghamshire has a strong line in literary heavyweights. D.H. Lawrence brooded in Eastwood, Lord Byron misbehaved spectacularly at Newstead Abbey, and the city itself is a UNESCO City of Literature. It’s the only place where you can buy a book, a pint, and a Robin Hood fridge magnet within three steps of each other.
7. Newstead Abbey and Wollaton Hall
Byron’s old pad at Newstead Abbey is dripping with Gothic atmosphere and surrounded by romantic gardens that make you feel as if you’ve wandered into a period drama. Not far away, Wollaton Hall looks suspiciously like Batman’s house, which makes sense, since it actually was in the films.
8. Sport everywhere you look
Nottingham is ridiculously sporty. There’s football at the City Ground, cricket at Trent Bridge, ice hockey at the National Ice Centre, and even watersports along the Trent. If you can’t find a match to watch, you’re probably standing in the wrong county.
9. The River Trent on a good day
The Trent isn’t exactly the Seine, but it’s big, bold, and quite wonderful for a waterside stroll. There are leafy paths, bridges to amble across, and plenty of benches for sitting and pondering life – or at least deciding where to head for dinner.
10. Food worth travelling for
Nottinghamshire is a quietly brilliant foodie spot. The sausages are famous, the farmers’ markets bustle, and the city’s restaurants punch well above their weight. You can go from hearty pub grub to fine dining without moving more than a few streets.
