Edingley

Edingley has no hotels of its own, being far too small a village to support one, but it makes a peaceful rural base for exploring this corner of Nottinghamshire if you are happy to stay just a short drive away. The obvious choice is Southwell, only three miles to the south-east, whose historic streets around the Minster hold a mix of traditional inns, guesthouses and bed and breakfasts, many in handsome Georgian buildings. Newark-on-Trent offers a wider spread of hotel options, from chain hotels to independent townhouse stays, and is well connected by rail if you are arriving without a car.

For something closer to Edingley itself, the surrounding villages and farms host a scattering of bed and breakfasts and self-catering cottages, ideal for those who want genuine countryside quiet at night while still being within easy reach of Southwell, Sherwood Forest and Newark by day. These tend to be small, family-run operations rather than large hotels, so booking ahead is worthwhile, particularly around race days at Southwell Racecourse or during the busier summer months.

Whichever base you choose, Edingley's position just off the Southwell to Farnsfield road makes it a straightforward addition to a day's touring, whether you are visiting for the church, the pub, or simply the pleasure of a proper English lane with no traffic on it.

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.

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.

Camping around Edingley trades big-name attractions for genuine rural quiet, and that is exactly the draw. As with anywhere in England, wild camping is not legally permitted without the landowner's permission, so pitching up in a farmer's field or roadside verge on a whim is not an option here — stick to licensed sites, of which this stretch of Nottinghamshire has a good, if select, choice. New Hall Farm, reached via New Hall Lane at the top of Edingley Hill on the Southwell to Farnsfield road, is a small, adults-only campsite on a working conservation farm, offering a peaceful pitch amid open countryside just minutes from the village. A short distance away, an adults-only glamping site near Edingley offers ensuite pods with fire pits and, on some pitches, private hot tubs, set across a hillside with panoramic views and plenty of wildlife — a comfortable way to enjoy the countryside without the packing list.

Southwell itself, a ten-minute walk from some of these sites, adds pubs, shops and the Minster to the mix, while Sherwood Forest and its ancient oaks are around half an hour's drive north for those wanting a proper woodland walk. The terrain here is gentle farmland and low hills rather than dramatic scenery, so this is camping for slowing down rather than epic hiking — good books, short walks and long pub evenings suit the area well.

Late spring through early autumn is the best window for camping, when the farmland is at its greenest and evenings are long enough for a fire pit and a clear Nottinghamshire sky. Sites here tend to be small and increasingly adults-only, so it is worth checking policies and booking ahead, especially around Southwell Racecourse race days or in peak summer. For those without their own kit, the local glamping pods offer a low-effort way to experience the same countryside in comfort.