Best Attractions in Nottinghamshire
Planning a trip to Nottinghamshire? Discover the best attractions in Nottinghamshire with history, expert tips, and routes. Free on web or the Evendo app.
The best attractions in Nottinghamshire
- Top rated
- Closest to the centre
- Price level: low to high
- Time to spend: shortest first
- A–Z
31 attractions
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Shopping outlet4.2★18,263 reviews
Designer Outlet East Midlands
East Midlands Designer Outlet, located in South Normanton near Alfreton, offers over 65 designer brands with discounts up to 60% year-round. The outlet features a vibrant shopping environment with a wide range of stores including clothing, footwear, children’s wear, and gifts, complemented by more than a dozen cafes and restaurants. Visitors enjoy free parking, EV charging, and family-friendly amenities in a clean, well-organized setting.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Park and Garden4.7★13,029 reviews
Wollaton Hall, Gardens and Deer Park
Wollaton Hall is a magnificent Grade One listed Elizabethan mansion set within 500 acres of historic parkland in Nottingham. The estate features a Natural History Museum housed in the hall, extensive deer park grounds, formal gardens, play areas, and cafés. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, special exhibitions, and seasonal events, making it a rich cultural and natural destination for families and history enthusiasts alike.
Mon–Fri 8:00–21:15 · Sat–Sun 9:00–21:15Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Shopping Centre4.2★17,043 reviews
Victoria Centre
Victoria Centre is a bustling shopping centre in the heart of Nottingham, featuring over 120 stores including major brands like John Lewis, House of Fraser, and River Island. It offers a vibrant mix of retail, dining, and entertainment options, including the popular Clocktower dining area with more than 20 eateries. With extensive parking, a dedicated bus station, and nearby tram stops, it is easily accessible and a focal point for both locals and visitors.
Price level $$Time to spend 2–4 hrs
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Shopping Centre4.2★9,640 reviews
Giltbrook Shopping Park
Giltbrook Shopping Park is a large retail destination on the outskirts of Nottingham, anchored by IKEA and featuring a wide range of well-known high-street brands, fashion outlets, homeware stores, and casual dining options. The park offers extensive parking, family-friendly facilities including a children’s play area, and accessible amenities, making it a convenient one-stop destination for shopping, dining, and everyday errands. It’s particularly popular on weekends and during seasonal sales, when the atmosphere is lively and bustling.
Mon–Sat 9:00–21:00 · Sun 11:00–17:00Price level $Time to spend 1–4 hrs
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Castle4.6★5,997 reviews
Bolsover Castle
Bolsover Castle is a striking 17th-century hilltop castle in Derbyshire, England, known for its lavish 'Little Castle' retreat, romantic ruined terrace range, and expansive Fountain Garden. Built as a pleasure palace for entertaining courtiers, it offers richly decorated interiors, panoramic countryside views, and family-friendly activities including interactive exhibits and a children’s play area. Managed by English Heritage, it invites visitors to explore history, architecture, and scenic walks along its restored walls.
Wed–Sun 10:00–16:00Price level $$Time to spend 2–3.5 hrs
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Abbey4.6★4,846 reviews
Rufford Abbey
Rufford Abbey Country Park in Ollerton is a captivating blend of 12th-century Cistercian abbey ruins set within expansive gardens, lakes, and woodlands. This free-entry park offers a rich historical atmosphere alongside family-friendly activities such as adventure playgrounds, boating, archery, and themed seasonal trails. Facilities include cafes, shops, and accessible amenities, making it an ideal destination for history enthusiasts and outdoor lovers alike.
Daily 9:00–16:30Price level $$Time to spend 2–5 hrs
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Abbey4.7★4,559 reviews
Newstead Abbey
Newstead Abbey is a historic 12th-century Augustinian priory set within 300 acres of stunning grounds in Nottinghamshire. Once the ancestral home of the famous Romantic poet Lord Byron, the abbey now welcomes visitors to explore its medieval cloisters, Victorian interiors, and extensive gardens featuring Japanese landscapes, themed oases, and scenic lakeside walks. The site combines rich literary heritage with natural beauty, offering family-friendly attractions including a play park, café, and seasonal events.
Daily 10:00–16:00Price level $$Time to spend 2–4 hrs
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Art museum4.1★5,080 reviews
Nottingham Castle
Nottingham Castle, perched on a hilltop in Nottingham, England, is a historic site blending a rich medieval past with vibrant art and museum collections. Visitors explore the ducal mansion built on the original Norman castle site, delve into underground caves, and enjoy extensive galleries featuring local history, lace-making, and military heritage. The castle’s gardens offer panoramic city views, making it a multifaceted cultural attraction.
Daily 10:00–17:00Price level $$Time to spend 2–4 hrs
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Archaeological site4.6★3,135 reviews
Creswell Crags
Creswell Crags is a dramatic limestone gorge on the Nottinghamshire-Derbyshire border, renowned for its network of caves containing Britain's only authenticated Ice Age rock art. This archaeological site reveals human life from 50,000 to 10,000 years ago, with guided tours exploring prehistoric cave art, ancient tools, and medieval witch marks. The site also features a museum, café, and scenic natural surroundings, making it a unique blend of history, archaeology, and nature.
Price level $$Time to spend 2–4.5 hrs
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Park and Garden4.6★2,831 reviews
Arboretum
Nottingham Arboretum, opened in 1852, is the city’s oldest public park and a cherished green space near the city centre. Home to over 800 trees from 65 species, including many original 19th-century plantings, it offers serene walks, heritage and tree trails, Victorian architecture, and a peaceful lake. The Arboretum is also linked to local lore as a possible inspiration for J.M. Barrie’s Neverland, blending natural beauty with cultural history.
Daily 8:00–21:15Time to spend 1–3 hrs
Idlewells Shopping Centre
Idlewells Shopping Centre is a fully covered indoor shopping hub located in the centre of Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. Featuring a striking glass roof, it hosts over 45 retailers alongside a bustling indoor market with more than 60 stalls offering fresh produce, crafts, and diverse goods. Open daily with extensive parking, it combines modern shopping convenience with a lively community atmosphere.
Mon–Sat 8:00–18:00 · Sun 10:00–16:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–2 hrs
City of Caves
Discover Nottingham’s City of Caves, a fascinating underground network of over 800 sandstone caves carved beneath the city centre. These caves reveal centuries of history, from medieval tanneries and wartime air raid shelters to ancient dwellings. Guided tours bring to life the stories of those who lived and worked underground, offering a unique glimpse into the city’s hidden past in a cool, atmospheric setting.
Daily 10:00–17:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.8–1.5 hrs
Robin Hood Statue
The Robin Hood Statue in Nottingham is an iconic bronze monument located on Robin Hood's Lawn beside Nottingham Castle. Created by sculptor James Woodford in 1952, it depicts the legendary outlaw in a classic archer pose, surrounded by smaller figures of his Merry Men. This free, open-air landmark celebrates Nottingham’s deep connection to the Robin Hood legend and offers a charming historical focal point in the city.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–1 hr
Green's Windmill and Science Centre
Green's Windmill and Science Centre in Sneinton, Nottingham, is a beautifully restored 19th-century working windmill and an engaging science museum dedicated to mathematician George Green. Visitors can explore the traditional flour milling process, climb the mill tower for panoramic views, and interact with hands-on science exhibits focused on electricity, magnetism, and light. Free to enter, it offers a unique blend of industrial heritage, scientific discovery, and family-friendly activities.
Wed–Sun 10:00–16:00Time to spend 1–3 hrs
Papplewick Pumping Station
A spectacular Victorian water pumping station near Nottingham, featuring original twin beam engines built by James Watt & Co. in 1884. This ornate Gothic-revival engine house, nicknamed 'The Cathedral of Steam,' showcases magnificent engineering and artistic craftsmanship with polished brass reliefs, stained glass windows, and fully functional steam-powered machinery. Now a working museum run by volunteers, it offers guided tours, steaming events, and access to an underground 1879 reservoir set within landscaped grounds.
Time to spend 1.5–4 hrs
Hopkinson
Hopkinson is a unique blend of antique shop, art centre, vintage clothing and collectibles store, alongside a lively café and bar, located at 21 Station Street, Nottingham. This eclectic venue offers visitors a quirky shopping and social experience with artisan drinks, vintage finds, and a welcoming atmosphere near Nottingham train station.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
The Exchange (Exchange Arcade)
The Exchange is Nottingham's oldest and most prestigious shopping arcade, established in 1929. Located on High Street in the city centre, it features a stunning 200ft high glass dome and houses 17 exclusive stores offering fashion, gifts, art, and homeware. This Grade II* listed building blends historic Edwardian architecture with a vibrant retail experience, complemented by eateries and easy access via public transport and nearby parking.
Mon–Sat 9:00–18:00 · Sun 10:00–16:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
The Museum Of Curiosities
Nestled in Nottingham, The Museum of Curiosities offers a spine-tingling journey through haunted artifacts, eerie taxidermy, and macabre memorabilia spread across four floors including an underground cave. This unique museum blends supernatural lore with horror film props, inviting visitors to explore chilling exhibits such as human skulls, a Victorian hearse, and possessed dolls, all accompanied by fascinating backstories and friendly, knowledgeable staff.
Tue–Sun 11:00–18:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–2 hrs
Nottingham War Memorial Gardens
Nestled along Nottingham’s scenic Victoria Embankment by the River Trent, the Nottingham War Memorial Gardens is a tranquil and beautifully maintained space dedicated to honoring the bravery and sacrifice of those who served in the military. Featuring expansive lawns, a large fountain, memorial statues, and a grand ceremonial gateway inscribed with the Latin phrase 'Vivit post funera virtus' (Virtue outlives death), the gardens offer a reflective and peaceful environment for visitors to explore history and nature combined.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
National Trust - Mr Straw's House
Mr Straw's House, located in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, is a National Trust property preserving an Edwardian semi-detached home virtually unchanged since the 1920s. Home to the Straw family, grocers by trade, the house contains around 30,000 everyday objects left exactly as the family lived with them, offering a unique glimpse into interwar British life and domestic heritage.
Thu–Fri 9:00–15:00Price level $$Time to spend 2–3 hrs
Framework Knitters Museum
The Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, preserves the fascinating history of framework knitting, a key industry of the Industrial Revolution. Explore authentic Victorian workshops, living conditions, and working machinery. The museum offers live demonstrations, hands-on experiences, a charming café, and a craft shop, all set within a lovingly restored 19th-century knitters’ yard.
Wed–Sat 11:00–16:00 · Sun 9:00–16:00Price level $$Time to spend 1.5–3 hrs
Nottingham Industrial Museum
Nestled in the historic 17th-century stable block of Wollaton Hall, Nottingham Industrial Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Nottinghamshire’s rich industrial past. Featuring five galleries dedicated to textiles, transport, communication, mining, and power, the museum showcases working steam engines, vintage vehicles, and rare artefacts. Run entirely by passionate volunteers, it provides an engaging, educational experience perfect for families and history enthusiasts alike.
Thu 11:00–16:00 · Sat–Sun 11:00–16:00Price level $Time to spend 1–2 hrs
Bestwood Winding Engine House
Nestled within Bestwood Country Park near Nottingham, the Bestwood Winding Engine House is a remarkable Victorian industrial heritage site. Dating back to 1876, this tall brick building houses a massive winding engine originally powered by steam, now driven by an electric motor. It played a vital role in the coal mining operations of Bestwood Colliery, one of Nottinghamshire’s busiest pits. The site is restored and maintained by dedicated volunteers and offers guided tours primarily on Saturdays.
Sat 10:00–12:00Price level $Time to spend 1–2 hrs
Chinese Bell Tower
The Chinese Bell Tower, a striking pagoda-style war memorial in Nottingham’s Arboretum, was designed in 1857 by Marriott Ogle Tarbotton and completed in 1862. Housing a bell looted from a temple in Canton during the Second Opium War, this historic landmark blends Victorian-era architecture with rich imperial history amid the serene greenery of Nottingham's oldest public park.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Dukes Wood Nature Reserve And Oil Museum
Dukes Wood Nature Reserve and Oil Museum in Kirklington, Newark, is a unique 20-acre site where rich natural woodland meets Britain’s industrial past. Once the site of the UK’s first onshore oilfield, it now offers tranquil walking paths through mixed deciduous forest, alongside remnants of oil drilling history. Managed by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, it blends serene nature with fascinating heritage, making it a hidden gem for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Time to spend 1–3 hrs
Inspired
Flying Horse Walk is a charming shopping arcade located in the heart of Nottingham city centre, just off Old Market Square. Named after the historic 17th-century Flying Horse Inn, it blends rich heritage with a curated collection of independent boutiques and luxury retailers. The arcade’s Georgian façade and preserved medieval elements provide a unique shopping atmosphere steeped in history and craftsmanship.
Tue–Sat 10:00–17:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
Mortimer’s hole
Mortimer’s Hole is a fascinating medieval sandstone tunnel beneath Nottingham Castle, linked to dramatic 14th-century history. Named after Sir Roger Mortimer, it served as a secret passage used in a royal coup and is now accessible via guided tours from Brewhouse Yard Museum. The tunnel and surrounding caves reveal Nottingham’s extensive subterranean network, carved into soft sandstone, offering a unique glimpse into the city’s layered past.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–2 hrs
High Peak Trail
The High Peak Trail is a 17.5-mile traffic-free trail running from High Peak Junction near Cromford to Dowlow near Buxton. Following the route of one of the world's earliest long-distance railways, it offers walkers, cyclists, and horse riders stunning limestone countryside, historic railway features, and panoramic views across the White Peak area of the Peak District National Park.
Time to spend 1–6 hrs
Curious brick tower
The Curious Brick Tower, located at 30 Promenade in Nottingham, is a captivating architectural landmark known for its intricate brickwork and historical significance. This striking tower offers visitors a glimpse into Nottingham's rich cultural heritage and artistic evolution. Surrounded by vibrant urban landscapes and nearby parks, it is an ideal spot for photography, cultural exploration, and enjoying local events.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Market Place
Doncaster Market Place is a vibrant traditional market located in the heart of Doncaster, England. Operating mainly on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the market offers a rich variety of fresh produce, meats, international foods, antiques, and crafts. Rooted in a history dating back to Roman times, it remains a bustling hub of commerce and community, featuring both indoor halls and extensive outdoor stalls in a lively pedestrian precinct.
Price level $Time to spend 1–3 hrs
Burrough on the Hill
Burrough Hill is a well-preserved Iron Age hillfort situated near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, England. Standing on a limestone promontory about 210 meters above sea level, it offers commanding panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The site reveals evidence of continuous human activity from the Early Bronze Age through the Roman period, with significant archaeological finds illuminating its historic importance as a tribal center and fortified settlement.
Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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