Nottingham Attractions and Activities
Set in the ancient €ceremonial county' of Nottinghamshire not far from the remains of the once extensive Sherwood Forest, the city of Nottingham may not be the most obvious choice for tourists searching for a fascinating and fun few days' stay. However, those who do arrive can't fail to be amazed at the variety of activities and attractions, both historic and natural, set in and around this city. From a medieval castle, through its prideful place as a lace-making centre to diverse architectural delights from past centuries and ultra-modern restaurants, shopping and nightlife, Nottingham is geared up to provide a great visitor experience.
Think €Nottingham' and the classic English legend of Robin Hood's battles with the medieval city's corrupt sheriff springs immediately to mind. The subject of countless movies and TV series, the outlawed noble's exploits redistributing the sheriff's wealth to the deserving poor of the parish have fascinated and entertained for many years. Sherwood Forest, at that time covering vast swathes of the English countryside, was the home of Robin and his Merrie Men, with its remaining acres a favourite visitor destination and the brigand himself immortalised in bronze just outside the walls of the castle.
For visitors interested in the architectural development of the city, 12th century Nottingham Castle, more a stately home than a defensive structure, now holds a fascinating museum documenting the history of the ancient market town, set in lovely landscaped gardens. At around the same advanced age, the charming Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Inn, quaintly named for the crusade from which England's King Richard returned in time to disenfranchise the wicked sheriff, contests for the title of the oldest pub in the country with the Olde Salutation and the Bell Inn. Another must-see is the Lace Market with its heritage buildings and nearby Shire Hall, redolent with memories of the craft for which the town was famous.
Nottingham's Market Square is the largest in England, lined with historic buildings, restaurants and shops and set close to Nottingham City Centre hotels. Just to the west of the downtown district is the city's St Barnabas Cathedral, designed by Pugin and set amongst Georgian and Victorian terraces. The major thoroughfares of Queen Street and King Street display impressive Victorian buildings by other famous architects of the period. The Galleries of Justice, set in the Shire Hall, give a chilling glimpse of the rough justice handed out by the harsh legal system in years gone by.
An interesting tour to a lesser-known attraction in the city takes visitors underground to the excavated caves used as pub cellars, tanneries and storage areas during the past several centuries and as air-raid shelters during WWII. For a relaxing evening out, several warehouses and tenement buildings in the Lace District have been converted to eateries, bars and clubs offering various cuisines and a choice of music.
The Lace Market Theatre, the Theatre Royal and the Nottingham Playhouse present a variety of performances including drama and concerts, with summer open-air performances held in the grounds of the castle.
Surrounding the city are areas of natural beauty, with the best known the former Royal hunting grounds of historic Sherwood Forest, stretching up to the border with South Yorkshire and the home of the Major Oak, reputed to be the hideaway of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws. Just outside the city is the Elizabethan stately home of Wollaton Hall, set in beautifully landscaped grounds and sympathetically restored to near-original condition. Newstead Abbey, the home of poet Lord Byron, is 18kms from the city centre in Hucknell, with the literary giant's grave inside the village's pretty church.
Think €Nottingham' and the classic English legend of Robin Hood's battles with the medieval city's corrupt sheriff springs immediately to mind. The subject of countless movies and TV series, the outlawed noble's exploits redistributing the sheriff's wealth to the deserving poor of the parish have fascinated and entertained for many years. Sherwood Forest, at that time covering vast swathes of the English countryside, was the home of Robin and his Merrie Men, with its remaining acres a favourite visitor destination and the brigand himself immortalised in bronze just outside the walls of the castle.
For visitors interested in the architectural development of the city, 12th century Nottingham Castle, more a stately home than a defensive structure, now holds a fascinating museum documenting the history of the ancient market town, set in lovely landscaped gardens. At around the same advanced age, the charming Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Inn, quaintly named for the crusade from which England's King Richard returned in time to disenfranchise the wicked sheriff, contests for the title of the oldest pub in the country with the Olde Salutation and the Bell Inn. Another must-see is the Lace Market with its heritage buildings and nearby Shire Hall, redolent with memories of the craft for which the town was famous.
Nottingham's Market Square is the largest in England, lined with historic buildings, restaurants and shops and set close to Nottingham City Centre hotels. Just to the west of the downtown district is the city's St Barnabas Cathedral, designed by Pugin and set amongst Georgian and Victorian terraces. The major thoroughfares of Queen Street and King Street display impressive Victorian buildings by other famous architects of the period. The Galleries of Justice, set in the Shire Hall, give a chilling glimpse of the rough justice handed out by the harsh legal system in years gone by.
An interesting tour to a lesser-known attraction in the city takes visitors underground to the excavated caves used as pub cellars, tanneries and storage areas during the past several centuries and as air-raid shelters during WWII. For a relaxing evening out, several warehouses and tenement buildings in the Lace District have been converted to eateries, bars and clubs offering various cuisines and a choice of music.
The Lace Market Theatre, the Theatre Royal and the Nottingham Playhouse present a variety of performances including drama and concerts, with summer open-air performances held in the grounds of the castle.
Surrounding the city are areas of natural beauty, with the best known the former Royal hunting grounds of historic Sherwood Forest, stretching up to the border with South Yorkshire and the home of the Major Oak, reputed to be the hideaway of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws. Just outside the city is the Elizabethan stately home of Wollaton Hall, set in beautifully landscaped grounds and sympathetically restored to near-original condition. Newstead Abbey, the home of poet Lord Byron, is 18kms from the city centre in Hucknell, with the literary giant's grave inside the village's pretty church.
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