Nottingham offers a mix of historic landmarks, underground attractions, cultural venues, independent shopping streets and green spaces, making it a worthwhile destination for a city break or day out in the East Midlands. Known internationally for its connections with Robin Hood, the city also has a rich industrial heritage, an established arts scene and attractions that appeal to families, history enthusiasts and outdoor explorers.
Visitors can explore Nottingham Castle, discover the city’s underground caves, walk around the grounds of Wollaton Hall or spend time in the historic Lace Market. There are also museums, theatres, traditional pubs and parks within easy reach of the city centre.
The wider Nottinghamshire area offers further opportunities, including Sherwood Forest, historic country houses and nature reserves. Whether you are planning a short visit or a longer stay, there are plenty of things to do in Nottingham throughout the year.
1. Explore Nottingham Castle
Nottingham Castle is one of the city’s most recognisable historic attractions. Situated on a sandstone outcrop overlooking the city, the site has played an important role in Nottingham’s history, including its connections with medieval England and the English Civil War.
The castle has undergone several transformations over the centuries. The original medieval fortress was destroyed following the English Civil War, and a later ducal mansion was built on the site. The present building now houses museums and galleries exploring the city’s history, art and cultural heritage.
Visitors can discover exhibitions about Nottingham’s lace industry, local craftsmanship and the stories associated with the castle. The site also has connections with the Robin Hood legend, making it an obvious stop for anyone interested in the city’s folklore.
The surrounding Castle Quarter provides opportunities to explore historic streets and enjoy views across Nottingham. The famous Robin Hood statue outside the castle entrance is another popular stopping point for photographs.
2. Discover the Underground City of Caves
One of Nottingham’s more unusual attractions lies beneath its streets. The city has an extensive network of man-made caves carved into sandstone, with some spaces dating back centuries.
The City of Caves offers visitors an opportunity to explore sections of this underground network and learn how the spaces were used over different periods. Their purposes included storage, workshops and other everyday activities.
The caves provide a different perspective on Nottingham’s development. While many visitors associate the city with its medieval castle and historic streets, the underground network reveals how people adapted the sandstone landscape to meet practical needs.
Guided visits help explain the history and uses of the caves, making the attraction particularly interesting for people who enjoy local history. It is also a useful indoor activity when the weather is unsuitable for exploring the city above ground.
Visitors should check admission arrangements and tour availability before travelling, as access is organised around scheduled visits.
3. Visit Wollaton Hall and Deer Park
Wollaton Hall is among Nottingham’s most impressive historic buildings. The Elizabethan mansion stands within a large park on the western side of the city and combines architectural interest with opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Built in the 16th century, the hall houses Nottingham’s Natural History Museum, where visitors can explore collections relating to wildlife, geology and the natural world.
The surrounding Wollaton Park is equally important to the visitor experience. Its extensive grounds include open grassland, woodland, gardens and a lake. Red and fallow deer can often be seen roaming across the parkland, although visitors should observe them from a safe distance.
The hall is also familiar to international film audiences. It served as Wayne Manor in Christopher Nolan’s 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises, bringing the building to the attention of Batman fans.
Wollaton is suitable for a range of visits, from a short walk through the grounds to a longer afternoon exploring the historic building and museum. Check the council’s website for current opening arrangements and admission information.
4. Walk Through the Historic Lace Market
The Lace Market is one of Nottingham’s most distinctive neighbourhoods. Its buildings reflect the city’s history as an important centre of the British lace industry during the Industrial Revolution.
During the 19th century, Nottingham developed a significant manufacturing economy around lace production. Warehouses and commercial buildings were constructed to support the trade, many of which remain part of the neighbourhood’s architectural character.
Today, the Lace Market combines historic buildings with independent businesses, restaurants, cafés, creative workplaces and cultural venues.
Walking through the area offers an opportunity to appreciate Nottingham’s industrial heritage while experiencing a different side of the modern city. Visitors can also explore nearby Hockley, known for its independent shops, cafés, bars and creative businesses.
The National Justice Museum is another major attraction in this part of Nottingham, making the neighbourhood particularly suitable for visitors interested in combining history, architecture and culture.
5. Learn About Crime and Punishment at the National Justice Museum
The National Justice Museum occupies the historic Shire Hall on High Pavement in the Lace Market.
The museum explores the history of law, justice and punishment in Britain through exhibitions, objects and interactive displays. Its setting adds to the experience because the building previously served as a courthouse and was associated with the administration of justice in Nottingham.
Visitors can learn about the development of the legal system, historic punishments and the experiences of people who passed through the courts. The attraction uses its historic surroundings to explain how justice operated in earlier periods.
The museum is particularly suitable for visitors who enjoy social history and want to understand how British institutions developed. Its location also makes it easy to combine a visit with Nottingham Castle, the City of Caves and a walk around the Lace Market.
6. Explore the Green Spaces at Nottingham Arboretum
Nottingham is not only about historic buildings and museums. The city also has several public parks, with Nottingham Arboretum among the most accessible.
Opened in 1852, the Arboretum is recognised as Nottingham’s oldest public park. Its landscaped grounds contain a varied collection of trees, pathways, open spaces and historic features.
The park offers a quieter alternative to the busy shopping streets and is suitable for a relaxed walk, photography or a short break during a city visit.
Its location near the city centre makes it relatively easy to reach without arranging separate transport. The changing seasons also give the park a different appearance throughout the year, particularly during spring and autumn.
Other outdoor options include Victoria Embankment beside the River Trent, Forest Recreation Ground and Colwick Country Park.
7. Visit Green’s Windmill and Science Centre
Green’s Windmill in Sneinton provides an opportunity to explore Nottingham’s scientific and industrial history.
The restored 19th-century windmill is associated with mathematician and physicist George Green, who was born in Nottingham in 1793. Green made important contributions to mathematical physics, including work that continues to influence scientific understanding.
The attraction combines the historic windmill with a science centre offering activities designed to make scientific ideas accessible to visitors.
The surrounding community garden adds another dimension to the visit. Together, the windmill, exhibitions and outdoor space make it a useful attraction for families and anyone interested in local history.
Entry to the attraction has traditionally been free, although opening arrangements and individual activities should be checked before visiting.
8. Discover Nottingham’s Robin Hood Connections
Robin Hood is closely associated with Nottinghamshire, and the city’s identity has long been connected with the legendary outlaw.
Although historians continue to debate the origins and historical basis of the Robin Hood stories, the character remains an important part of the region’s cultural identity.
Visitors can begin with the Robin Hood statue outside Nottingham Castle, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. The surrounding Castle Quarter provides further opportunities to explore the folklore and historic setting.
For a broader experience, Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve is located north of Nottingham. It is associated with the legend and offers woodland walks, wildlife watching and access to the famous Major Oak.
The Major Oak is an ancient tree that has become one of the most recognisable symbols of the Robin Hood tradition. The visitor centre also provides information about the forest’s natural environment and cultural history.
Sherwood Forest is outside Nottingham city centre, so visitors should allow additional time for travel.
9. Enjoy Art and Culture at Nottingham Contemporary
Nottingham has an established cultural scene, with Nottingham Contemporary playing an important role in its visual arts offering.
Located near the Lace Market, the gallery presents contemporary art exhibitions and associated cultural events. Its programme changes regularly, giving visitors opportunities to discover work by artists from different backgrounds and artistic disciplines.
The building itself is also worth seeing. Its exterior design incorporates a decorative pattern inspired by Nottingham’s historic lace industry, connecting the gallery’s modern architecture with the city’s manufacturing past.
Admission to the gallery’s main exhibitions is generally free, although certain events and activities may have separate charges.
Nottingham Contemporary can be combined with visits to nearby independent shops, cafés and other cultural venues, making it a useful addition to a walking itinerary.
10. Watch a Performance at Nottingham Playhouse or Theatre Royal
For visitors interested in live entertainment, Nottingham has established theatre venues offering productions throughout the year.
Nottingham Playhouse hosts drama, comedy, dance and other performances. Its programme includes established productions alongside work from contemporary theatre companies.
The Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall provide another important part of the city’s entertainment offering. Visitors can find touring theatre productions, musicals, concerts, comedy performances and other events.
The best choice depends on the dates of your visit and the type of performance you want to see. Checking the venues’ official programmes in advance is advisable, particularly during busy weekends and holiday periods.
Both venues are within reach of the central shopping and dining areas, making an evening performance easy to combine with a meal in the city.
11. Visit Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
A visit to Nottingham would be incomplete for many people without seeing Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem.
Built into the sandstone beneath Nottingham Castle, the pub is one of the city’s best-known historic drinking establishments. It is widely associated with claims of being one of England’s oldest inns, although its precise founding date is disputed.
Its unusual setting is a major part of its appeal. The building’s rooms and interior features reflect the sandstone rock face, creating a different atmosphere from a conventional city-centre pub.
The venue has strong connections with Nottingham’s local folklore and attracts visitors interested in traditional pubs and historic buildings.
It is worth remembering that the attraction is an operating pub rather than a conventional museum. Visitors can enjoy its historic surroundings while checking the venue’s current food and drink arrangements.
12. Explore Sherwood Forest and the Nottinghamshire Countryside
Those with additional time can explore the wider county beyond the city.
Sherwood Forest is one of the most recognisable destinations in Nottinghamshire. Its woodland landscape, walking routes and Robin Hood associations make it a popular choice for visitors looking for an outdoor day out.
The Major Oak is a particular highlight, while the surrounding reserve provides opportunities to explore the area’s wildlife and ancient woodland environment.
Other countryside destinations include Rufford Abbey Country Park, Clumber Park and Attenborough Nature Reserve.
Attenborough is particularly interesting for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Its lakes, wetlands and grasslands provide habitats for a range of birds and other wildlife.
These destinations require more travel planning than attractions in the city centre, but they offer a different experience for visitors who want to combine urban sightseeing with time outdoors.
Planning a Visit to Nottingham
Nottingham’s central attractions are relatively easy to explore on foot, particularly around Old Market Square, the Lace Market, Nottingham Castle and the city’s main shopping streets.
The tram network and local bus services provide additional connections to attractions further away, including areas around Wollaton and other parts of the city.
Visitors planning a single day should prioritise a small group of attractions rather than trying to cover the entire city and county. Nottingham Castle, the City of Caves and the Lace Market can form a convenient history-focused itinerary, while Wollaton Hall and its parkland can fill a separate visit.
For a longer stay, add Sherwood Forest, Attenborough Nature Reserve or one of the county’s historic country parks.
Opening times, admission charges and event schedules can change, so checking official attraction websites before travelling is advisable.
Discovering Nottingham Beyond Its Famous Landmarks
Nottingham offers more than its Robin Hood reputation suggests. Its underground caves, industrial architecture, historic museums, cultural venues and extensive green spaces provide a varied choice of activities for different types of visitors.
The city is also relatively easy to explore without a car, particularly if the main attractions are included in a carefully planned walking route. Those staying longer can use Nottingham as a starting point for exploring the wider Nottinghamshire countryside.
Whether the interest is history, architecture, entertainment, nature or traditional pubs, Nottingham has enough variety to make a day trip worthwhile and a longer visit rewarding.