Holiday rentals in Nottingham

When one of your many monikers is “Queen of the Midlands,” you have quite a lot to live up to. And Nottingham doesn’t disappoint. It’s crammed full of architectural gems, hidden treasures, and historical wonderments. But there is one tights-clad character who looms large over the city. Think of Nottingham and you think of Robin Hood, who is represented throughout the area with tours, museums, and experiences. Head to the rather quaintly sized castle to see the statue of the renowned outlaw, while Sherwood Forest sits nearby. In amongst all of this history is a city with a vibrant arts and music scene and a lively student community. The residents of Nottingham delighted in digging into the ground, and there’s a fascinating cave network sitting under the city, which was built on soft sandstone.

There’s so much going on all year round that there really isn’t a bad time to visit Nottingham. Though if you’re planning an excursion to Sherwood Forest or the Peak District, then it’s at its most glorious during spring and autumn. Like much of the United Kingdom, there’s always a chance of a shower at any time of the year, so have your waterproofs handy (June, surprisingly, is the wettest month). The city’s vibrant music scene has spawned a number of festivals throughout the year. The indie festival Dot to Dot takes place in May, while June has Sherwood Live in beautiful Sherwood Pines. July sees the Splendour Festival bring music to Wollaton Park, while folklore fans will appreciate the annual Robin Hood festival in August. The same month accommodates the city’s Food Festival, though apple fans have to wait until October for the Bramley Apple Festival in Southwell, the home of the original Bramley apple tree, and the city’s legendary Goose Fair, first held more than 700 years ago.

National Justice Museum

Based in the former Nottingham courthouse and county gaol, this museum dedicated to crime and punishment is not for the fainthearted. You’ll follow the steps of condemned men from the former prison cells to the spot where miscreants were regularly hanged. As well as a variety of artefacts and exhibitions based on famous crimes and villains, you’ll see the cell where, possibly, Robin Hood was once incarcerated. Or so it’s claimed.

City of Caves

Take a trip underground and explore the extensive cave network carved out of the soft sandstone the city was built on, accessed from the unlikely vantage point of the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre. With 500 caves ensconced under the city centre, there’s a fascinating array of social history to witness, including medieval tanneries and World War II air raid shelters.

Sherwood Forest

It would feel careless to discuss Nottingham and not mention something dedicated to the famous man in tights. The Sherwood Forest visitor centre is located in the historic village of Edwinstowe, about 20 miles north of the city. Here you can stock up on Robin Hood ephemera before plunging into the forest and living out all of your Merry Men fantasies. The Major Oak, a tree that’s possibly 1,100 years old, is a must-see.