Nottinghamshire is a county of rousing stories and legendary landscapes, a place where tales of rebellion and virtue are written into the very DNA of the land.
It is famously the home of Robin Hood, where you can walk in the footsteps of the world’s best-loved folk hero through the ancient glades of Sherwood Forest.
But its identity is a tale of two legends, where the folklore of medieval England meets the modern mythology of Batman, whose iconic Wayne Manor was filmed at a grand estate just miles from the real-life village of Gotham.
Beyond these epic tales, you’ll discover a region of sweeping countryside, grand ducal estates, and a vibrant city at its heart.
Whether you’re planning a city break using public transport or a road trip to explore the wider county, a warm welcome always awaits.
To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve crafted two distinct 48-hour itineraries designed for different types of travellers.
Itinerary 1: The City Explorer (48 Hours in Nottingham)
Best for: Visitors arriving by train or staying in central accommodation. This itinerary is designed to be fully accessible on foot or by using Nottingham’s excellent public transport network.
Day 1: History, Legends & Caves
Morning (10:00 AM): Begin your weekend at the base of Castle Rock for a classic photo opportunity with the Robin Hood Statue. From there, ascend to Nottingham Castle.
Spend 2-3 hours exploring the grounds and museum, which delves into the city’s history of rebellion and protest. Don’t miss the interactive Robin Hood gallery, where you can test your skills with some virtual archery.
Lunch (1:00 PM): Take a short walk into the historic Lace Market, once the centre of the world’s lace industry.
This vibrant creative quarter is filled with impressive 19th-century architecture and is the perfect place to find an independent cafe or pub for lunch.
Afternoon (2:30 PM): Descend into Nottingham’s hidden world at the City of Caves. This fascinating tour takes you through a network of man-made caves carved from the soft sandstone, revealing their past lives as a medieval tannery and a wartime air-raid shelter.
Afterwards, emerge and head straight to the nearby National Justice Museum for an immersive journey through the history of crime and punishment in the building’s original courthouse and gaol.
Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Start your evening with a pint at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, a pub that claims to be England’s oldest inn (est. 1189).
Partially carved into the rock beneath the castle, its cave rooms provide an unforgettable atmosphere.
For dinner, explore the diverse restaurant scene in the Lace Market before perhaps catching a show or live music in the creative hub of Hockley.
Day 2: Art, Parks & Wayne Manor
Morning (10:00 AM): Start your day with a dose of culture at Nottingham Contemporary, one of the UK’s largest contemporary art galleries. With free entry and a rotating programme of international exhibitions, it’s a cultural highlight of the city.
Afternoon (12:30 PM): From the city centre, take a direct public bus (NCT Route 30) for the short journey to Wollaton Hall and Park.
Spend the afternoon exploring the magnificent Elizabethan mansion, instantly recognisable as Wayne Manor from The Dark Knight Rises.
Entry to the park is free, and inside the hall, you’ll find Nottingham’s Natural History Museum. Afterwards, take a stroll through the grounds to the adjacent Highfields Park, part of the University of Nottingham campus, and enjoy a walk around its popular boating lake.
Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Return to the city for your final evening. A visit to the Malt Cross, a beautifully restored Victorian Music Hall, offers a unique and atmospheric pub setting to toast the end of your Nottingham weekend.
Itinerary 2: The Legends & Estates Tour (48 Hours in Nottinghamshire)
Best for: Visitors with a car who want to explore the grand estates and legendary landscapes of the wider county.
Day 1: Grand Designs & Natural Wonders
Morning (10:00 AM): Drive to Wollaton Hall and Park. Dedicate the morning to a full exploration, including the spectacular Hall (Wayne Manor), the Natural History Museum, and the Nottingham Industrial Museum located in the historic stable block. Take time for a walk around the serene lake and through the 500-acre deer park.
Lunch (1:30 PM): Enjoy a meal at one of the on-site cafes at Wollaton or find a traditional pub in a nearby village.
Afternoon (3:00 PM): Take a scenic drive north to Newstead Abbey, the beautiful ancestral home of the Romantic poet Lord Byron. Explore the historic house, which was founded as a priory in the 12th century, and wander through its extensive and romantic gardens and parkland.
Afternoon (Alternative): A Walk on the Wild Side: If you prefer natural history to literary history, head southwest of the city to the Attenborough Nature Reserve.
This award-winning site, a complex of flooded former gravel pits, is a haven for wildlife and one of the best places in the UK to spot a kingfisher.
With a modern visitor centre and a network of walking trails and bird hides, it’s the perfect place for a peaceful afternoon stroll and some wildlife spotting.
Evening: Check into your accommodation. Staying near the Sherwood Forest area will give you a head start for day two.
Day 2: Outlaws, Minsters & Superheroes
Morning (10:00 AM): Drive to the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre. Spend the morning walking the trails through this legendary landscape, making the pilgrimage to the ancient Major Oak, a colossal tree estimated to be 1,000 years old and the fabled hideout of Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
Lunch (1:00 PM): Have lunch at a traditional country pub in or near the historic village of Edwinstowe, the heart of Robin Hood country.
Afternoon (2:30 PM): Take a drive to the charming cathedral town of Southwell. Here you can visit the magnificent Southwell Minster, often called the “hidden gem” of English cathedrals, and The Workhouse, a National Trust property that provides a poignant look into 19th-century life.
Late Afternoon (Optional Detour): For the perfect end to your “Dual Legends” tour, take a short drive to the quiet village of Gotham.
This is the real-life place whose tales of feigned madness inspired the name for Batman’s city, creating a fascinating link between Nottinghamshire folklore and one of the world’s most famous superheroes.
A Practical Guide for Your Weekend
Getting Around
Nottingham city is well-served by Nottingham City Transport (NCT) buses and the NET tram network, making it easy to get around without a car.
For those driving, the city is easily accessible from the M1 motorway (Junctions 24, 25, or 26). Parking is available at major attractions, with a typical all-day fee of around £5-£6 at places like Wollaton Hall.
Where to Stay
- For City Buzz: The Lace Market and Hockley offer boutique hotels amidst the city’s most vibrant dining and nightlife scene.
- For Convenience: The area around the train station has numerous well-known hotel chains.
- For a Quieter Stay: West Bridgford, just across the River Trent, offers a more residential feel with easy access to the city.
Where to Eat
Nottinghamshire’s food scene caters to all tastes. For a historic experience, visit one of the city’s ancient pubs like Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem.
For modern dining, the city boasts everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to award-winning tapas at places like Bar Iberico.
Or some of the great options we have discovered like The Cross Keys: A Pint of History in the Heart of Nottingham’s Lace Market or The Soulville Steakhouse: A Feast for the Senses in the Heart of Nottingham
Seasonal Highlights
Nottinghamshire hosts a fantastic calendar of events throughout the year.
- Autumn: Look out for spooky Halloween events like outdoor cinema at Wollaton Park and thrilling ghost tours.
- Winter: The city centre transforms into a festive Winter Wonderland from mid-November through December.
- Summer: Wollaton Park hosts major music festivals like Splendour, attracting big-name acts.
For more things to do in the City of Nottingham read A Guide to the Top 20 Things to Do in Nottingham
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