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The Top Attractions to Visit in Nottingham

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Dec 02, 2021
The Top Attractions to Visit in Nottingham

Lying in an area of low hills on the north banks of the River Trent, Nottingham is a thriving city with plenty of possibilities. Dive into its rich history as you unravel the stories of Robin Hood or wander around the natural beauties of Sherwood Forest. Whether you’re visiting from a neighbouring area such as East Leake or Newark, or you’ve been living in Notts your whole life – here we’ve highlighted some of the top attractions you simply cannot miss.

Nottingham Castle

Sitting at the top of Castle Rock, with a 40-metre-hight cliffs to its eastern and western sides, Nottingham Castle is a real piece of living history. Once an important royal fortress and mansion, it was largely destroyed in 1651 by Parliamentary forces and built up again in the 1870s to house an art gallery museum. Today, the castle hosts two great collections: the Sherwood Foresters Regimental Museum and the Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery.

Nottingham Cathedral

A renowned landmark for more than 50 years, Nottingham Cathedral lies right in the heart of Nottingham’s Old Market Square. It was originally built in the 1800s and first consecrated in 1844. Today, the cathedral hosts a great range of choirs, concerts and events, and choral scholarships are available to students from up to 18 years of age.

Old Market Square

Famous for being the largest remaining market square after Trafalgar in London, Nottingham’s Old Market Square is the heart of the city. In the Middle Ages, the square was the midway point between the Norman settlement and the older Anglo-Saxon town around the Lace Market. Home to many events throughout the year – Winter Wonderland and German-style's Weihnachtsmarkt to name a few the – the Old Market Square is one of Nottingham's cornerstones.

The Lace Market

Just a stone’s throw from the Old Market Square, the Lace Market was once the heart of Britain’s lace industry. The beautiful red-brick buildings are today home to some of the best shops and restaurants in Nottingham. And lace-markets, of course! Have a walk around the area and visit the National Justice Museum, just off High Pavement Street.

The City of Caves

If you’re walking around Nottingham Castle, then you can’t miss out the City of Caves. This incredible 322-foot-long Mortimer’s Hole lies below the castle and is one of the 450 caves that exist in the sandstone underneath the city. This is the largest known grouping of caves in the country and has been used for storage and defence purposes for many centuries.

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

Built into the castle’s sandstone crag, this pub is believed to date back to 1189. Yes, 1189! This would make it the oldest pub in England, but unfortunately, there is no real evidence to this. It is undeniable though that the pub does look really old, with loads of cosy nooks and crannies to take you back in time. If you’re craving a good pint, make your way down here and unwind.

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