Nottinghamshire has a rich history, lively towns, and green spaces that feel worlds away from city crowds. Whether you’re keen on legends, love nature, or want a cosy pub lunch, this county has lots to offer.
Always follow the Countryside Code, to keep all creatures safe.
Sherwood Forest: The Home of Robin Hood
Sherwood Forest sits at the heart of Nottinghamshire’s folklore. Known worldwide as Robin Hood’s stomping ground, this ancient woodland offers peaceful trails, wildflower meadows, and massive oak trees, including the legendary Major Oak.
Did you know that oak trees are toxic to horses, livestock and other animals? Acorns and conkers should also be kept away from pets.
With a canopy spreading over 28 metres and a trunk diameter measuring nearly 11 metres, it dwarfs all surrounding trees, experts estimate Major Oak is between 800 and 1,000 years old, making it much older than most trees in the UK. Its vast age means it was already standing tall during the time of Robin Hood, adding to its legendary status.
Stories say Robin Hood and his band of outlaws used the Major Oak as a hideout. Some tales claim they camped beneath its branches or even hid inside its hollow trunk.
Today, a system of wooden and steel supports props up its heavy branches, keeping the ancient tree safe for future visitors to enjoy.
Not only is the Major Oak a wonder of nature, but it’s also a vital haven for wildlife. Owls, bats, beetles, and many rare insects call it and its nooks home.
The rare diamond-backed spider—known for its striking marks—calls the old woodland home. As do 1500 species of beetles.
Robin Hood and his merry men lived in Sherwood Forest, which has 900 oak trees, and covers over 1,000 acres of protected woodland.
It’s known Robin Hood went to Mass. Lincolnshire Cathedral manuscript writes ‘Robyn hode in scherewode stod’ (which magazine Beano translates as old-timey for ‘Robin Hood in Sherwood Stood’)
Nottingham: Highlights, History, and Hidden Gems
From medieval castles to modern galleries, Nottingham offers plenty for every visitor. Whether you want to see world-famous legends come to life or discover something new, you’ll find it here.
The city of Nottingham (that still uses tram transport) is home to ‘Little John’, a 10-ton clock that is ‘Big Ben’s little brother!’
Old Market Square is Nottingham’s social centre. Crowds gather for public events, street performances, and festive markets. The square links the main shopping streets and local landmark, the Council House with its famous lions.
The Lace Market was once the global hub of lace production. Today, its red-brick warehouses and Victorian buildings house chic apartments, shops, and bars.
Beneath the city lie over 800 caves carved into sandstone. Guided tours take you through dark tunnels used over centuries as homes and World War II shelters.
The Park Estate is a quiet neighbourhood just minutes from the city centre. Famous for its Victorian townhouses and gas street lamps, the area feels a world away from busy streets.
Laxton: England’s Last Open Field Village
Tucked away in northern Nottinghamshire, Laxton is one of the villages left to practice open field strip farming, which divides parcels of land between villagers (so everyone gets access to equal share of food). Robin Hood would have approved!
Care must be taken (to ensure diseased plants and animals don’t end up on neighbouring farms). But if done well, it’s a great way for small farmers to empower themselves against huge landowners.
England’s biggest landowners today are the government, Crown Estate, Monarchy, National Trust and RSPB. The Duke of Westminster also owns a huge portion of land, much of which he rents out for friends to go on shooting parties. Aristocrats own almost a third of our farmland.
D.H. Lawrence: The Man Behind the Words
DH Lawrence stands out as one of England’s most provocative and influential writers. He made his mark with daring novels, clever poetry, and honest essays that shook up early twentieth-century literature.
This list breaks down key facts about Lawrence, helping you see why he’s still talked about and read today.
We think his nature poems are sublime – far better than his cheeky novels. Read Snake, his most famous poem, written while living with his wife in Sicily.
It talks of his regret at missing an opportunity to revel in looking at one of the ‘great lords of life’ – a poisonous snake who came to drink at his water trough.
David Herbert Lawrence was born in 1885 in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire. He grew up in a working-class family where his father was a coal miner and his mother was a schoolteacher.
