Edingley

Edingley is a small, unassuming village in the Newark and Sherwood district of Nottinghamshire, sitting around three miles north-west of the minster town of Southwell. With a population of only a few hundred, it is the kind of place defined by farmland, hedgerows and quiet lanes rather than visitor attractions, and that is very much part of its appeal for anyone looking to escape into genuinely rural Nottinghamshire.

The village takes its name from the Old English for 'Eddi's wood or clearing', a nod to its origins as a woodland settlement long before the surrounding land was given over to agriculture. Today Edingley is largely agricultural, centred on the Norman parish church of St Giles (rebuilt in 1890), the old village schoolroom that now serves as the community hall, and The Old Reindeer public house. It is a base for slow days out rather than a destination in its own right, with Southwell's Georgian streets and Sherwood Forest's ancient oaks both within easy reach.

Top things to do near Edingley

Edingley's own attractions are modest, but it is well placed for exploring some of Nottinghamshire's best-known sights.

• Southwell Minster — a stunning Norman cathedral in the nearby minster town, just a few miles south-east of Edingley.
• The National Trust Workhouse, Southwell — the most complete workhouse in existence, giving a vivid sense of Victorian poor relief.
• Sherwood Forest and the Major Oak — the legendary home of Robin Hood, around a 30-minute drive north.
• Southwell Racecourse — a popular all-weather racecourse with a full calendar of race days, a short drive from the village.
• Newark Castle and the River Trent — riverside walks and medieval ruins in the market town of Newark-on-Trent.

Getting to Edingley

Edingley sits just off the road linking Southwell and Farnsfield, at the top of what locals know as Edingley Hill, making it an easy detour for anyone touring this part of Nottinghamshire by car. The A614 and A617 both pass within a few miles, giving good connections to Newark, Mansfield and the A1. The nearest railway stations are at Newark Castle and Newark North Gate, both roughly a 20-minute drive away, with regular services to Nottingham, Lincoln and London. There is no direct rail or regular bus service into Edingley itself, so a car is by far the easiest way to reach the village.

Best time to visit Edingley

Spring and summer bring the surrounding farmland and hedgerows to life and are the most comfortable months for walking the lanes around the village or venturing into Sherwood Forest. Autumn has its own appeal, with Sherwood Forest's ancient woodland turning gold and Southwell's orchards (this is, after all, the birthplace of the Bramley apple) at their most productive. Winter is quiet, and many countryside attractions keep shorter hours, so it suits those simply after some peace and a cosy pub fire.

Where to stay near Edingley

Edingley itself has no hotels, so most visitors base themselves in Southwell, which offers a good choice of inns, guesthouses and bed and breakfasts within its historic streets, or in Newark-on-Trent, which has a wider range of hotel accommodation. Rural bed and breakfasts and farm stays are dotted throughout the surrounding villages for those who want to stay closer to the countryside.

Food and drink near Edingley

The village pub, The Old Reindeer, is the natural focal point for a drink or a meal in Edingley itself. For more choice, Southwell has a good selection of pubs, cafes and restaurants around its Minster and market square, while nearby villages such as Farnsfield and Kirklington each have their own traditional country pubs worth seeking out.