Places of interest in Nottinghamshire

Whilst visiting Nottinghamshire, visit the City of Nottingham , firstly via the university;

www.nottingham.ac.uk/

Nottingham is regional capital and one of the UK 's most stylish cities. Set within a county of outstanding natural beauty that includes Sherwood Forest , lively market towns and wonderful historic buildings. It's also home to the world's best-loved outlaw, Robin Hood.

Nottinghamshire's heritage is rich and varied. Our heroes are legendary and our innovations have helped change the world. From well loved outlaw Robin Hood to literary great Lord Byron. From footballing hero Brian Clough to international designer Paul Smith.
And let's not forget the Bramley apple, HP Sauce, Ibuprofen, the Raleigh Chopper, shin guards, and MRI scanning, all originated from Nottinghamshire

. Creswell Crags , near Worksop, will take you back in time thousands of years. At this unique site, with its network of limestone caves and rocky crags, you can see one of the most northerly places on Earth to have been visited by our prehistoric ancestors. The recently discovered cave paintings at this outstanding archaeological site have led to it being dubbed ‘the Sistine Chapel of the Ice Age'.
Yet Nottingham too has its own remarkable caves. Most of these were cut by hand from the local sandstone in early medieval times and used for storage and industries like tanning. They proved useful again in the last century when they were used as safe havens during the World War II bombing raids. You can explore some of the caves for yourself at the City of Caves attraction.
As well as its caves, Nottingham is also world famous as home to the Sheriff of Nottingham, but its story goes far beyond its association with a certain outlaw in green tights. The original castle was constructed



in the years following the Norman invasion and was to see a turbulent history. Completely destroyed by the Parliamentarians after the English Civil War, the present day ‘castle' was built in 1674 as a mansion house for the first Duke of Newcastle. Although badly damaged when it was set on fire by Reform rioters in 1831, all was not lost: it was eventually sold by the Duke to Nottingham Corporation and opened to the public as a museum and art gallery in 1878.

Interesting Facts for you;

The biggest antique fair in Europe is held near Newark six times a year.

The gigantic Major Oak stands proud in Sherwood Forest , the legendary hideout of Robin Hood and his merry men.

Mr Straw's House in Worksop is a 1930s time capsule.

Nottinghamshire covers just under 850 square miles.

Ibuprofen was discovered in Nottingham .

Newark

The District of Newark and Sherwood has many hidden delights. Famous throughout the world for its Robin Hood connections, there are many other treasures to discover.

Sherwood Forest

The legend of Robin Hood is one, which is known to millions of people all over the world and a number of the villages and towns in our District have reminders of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws.
Why not go and visit Sherwood Forest , which in 1200 was one of the largest forests in the country, covering about 7,800 acres. Part of the ancient landscape is today preserved in the 450 acre Sherwood Forest Country Park .
Its most famous tree is the Major Oak, the largest tree in the forest, thought to be between 500 and 600 years old. Legend has it that its hollow trunk was once a hideout for Robin Hood and his Merry Men. The tree trunk has a circumference of about 33 feet, the branches 260 feet and it is about 90 feet high.
Each summer the Robin Hood Festival takes place in the Sherwood Forest , when costumed characters roam, and where music, jousting and theatre bring the legend to life.

Newark on Trent

Newark-on-Trent is an attractive market town situated along the river Trent . It offers the visitor a wealth of history, interesting buildings and museums.

Its most famous period in history was during the Civil War in which it was a Royalist stronghold and withstood three sieges. Many reminders of that period can still be seen in the town, including its imposing 12th century castle.

Many architecturally beautiful buildings can be found around the square and in the interesting streets, nearby; some with royal, others with literary connections.