Nottingham Castle
Nottingham is better known world wide as the home of the Sheriff of Nottingham,
and the 'outlaw' Robin Hood. William Peverel, a grandchild of William the Conqueror in the years
following the Norman invasion, constructed the original Castle. The Castle was completely destroyed
by the Parliamentarians after the English Civil War. The present 'Castle' was built in 1674 as a
mansion house for the first Duke of Newcastle but it was set on fire and badly damaged by Reform
rioters in 1831. In 1878 it was sold to the Nottingham Corporation by the Duke of Nottingham and
opened as a Museum and Art Gallery
Galleries of Justice
Not for the faint-hearted, the award-winning Galleries of Justice take visitors into the dark corridors
of a Victorian courthouse and prison. Gaolers and prisoners act as your guides as you find yourself tried
in the dock, thrown into a cell or sentenced to death by an imposing judge. The Galleries are also home
to the country's most important collection of resources relating to law and order
The Lace Market & Bridlesmith Gate
Nottingham is rated amongst the top five U.K. shopping cities with Bridlesmith Gate & The Lace Market
being the centre for designer stores and retailers stocking the biggest names in haut couture –
for example: Hugo Boss, Kurt Geiger and Paul Smith. Alongside the impressive selection of designer
outlets are independent stores and small boutiques. There is a wealth of undercover shopping centres,
department stores and convenient out-of-town retail parks and outlets.
Sherwood Forest Country Park
This area of ancient broadleaf woodland was the legendary haunt of Robin Hood. Waymarked trails of
between one and three and a half miles radiate out from the Visitor Centre, meandering beneath the
gnarled 500 year-old oak trees and slender silver birches of what is now a National Nature Reserve.
See the huge Major Oak. Year round programme of events, including annual summer Robin Hood Festival,
featuring jesters, jousting and medieval merriment.
City of Caves
In the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre lies the entrance to the City of Caves. This attraction leads visitors
into the man made caves, which can be found underneath the city of Nottingham. People have used the
caves for over 750 years as shelter and as escape routes. Now the honeycombs of tunnels have been developed
into a ‘journey through the past’ attraction. With characters in period costume re-enacting events of the
day with visitor participation is a very enlightening and interesting experience.
Wollaton Hall and Park
One of the finest Elizabethan houses in England, Wollaton Hall is a Grade 1 Listed building designed by
Robert Smythson and built in 1588 by wealthy coal baron Sir Francis Willoughby.
It is now the home to the city's Natural History Museum,the city's Industrial Museum,
Steam Engine House, Wollaton Visitor Centre and the Yard Gallery. The hall stands on a hill in 500 acres
of beautiful parkland in which Red and Fallow Deer roam freely. When floodlit the hall looks spectacular,
especially from the long drive way leading up to the entrance.
