Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire ranges from the busy city streets of Nottingham, with its shopping, history and nightlife, to the quieter market towns and villages that make up the wider county. Newark offers a handsome castle and riverside setting, while Southwell is known for its minster and gentle, refined pace. Retford and Worksop serve as solid market towns for those wanting a base with good transport links, and Mansfield and Mansfield Woodhouse provide practical, unfussy stopovers close to the edge of Sherwood Forest.

For a slower trip, Edwinstowe makes an appealing choice, sitting amid Sherwood Forest and its Robin Hood associations, while Elkesley, Edingley and Cossall offer small, peaceful settings well suited to walking and rural exploration. Sutton in Ashfield rounds out the county's mix of former mining towns finding new purpose. Together these places suit visitors who want to combine city energy with the option of quiet countryside nearby.

Nottingham accounts for most of the choice, with city-centre hotels such as Lace Market Hotel, Hart's Hotel and Park Plaza Nottingham putting you within walking distance of the castle, the Lace Market and the main shopping streets. Aparthotels like Roomzzz Nottingham City and No 1 New Inn Apartments suit longer stays or those wanting more space, while Bestwood Lodge Hotel offers a quieter, greener setting on the city's edge.

Outside Nottingham, options thin out but still cover the essentials. Newark-on-Trent has guesthouses handy for the castle and market square, Southwell suits a slower pace near the Minster, and Eastwood works well for those following the D.H. Lawrence trail. Smaller guest houses, such as Mama's Inn Boutique Guest House and Greenwood Lodge City Guest House, are worth considering if you prefer a personal touch over a chain hotel.

Nottinghamshire's attractions run from the industrial and historical to the thoroughly modern. Nottingham itself accounts for a good share of the county's days out, with escape rooms like Break Escape and AXED sitting alongside adventure golf at Jurassic Cove and family play centres such as Kidzkaboom. Southwell offers a quieter, more heritage-led pace, while Worksop and Mansfield fill out the county's family entertainment and activity venues.

Further afield, sites like Papplewick Pumping Station and the National Holocaust Centre and Museum near Southwell reward those keen on history and reflection, and Laxton's rare open-field farming landscape is worth the detour for anyone curious about rural England before enclosure. Outdoor pursuits are well represented too, from pony trekking to activity grounds such as The Tournament Ground and The Hangar.

With such a spread, it helps to decide whether you want an active day, a historical one, or something aimed squarely at children, since the county's attractions divide fairly clearly along those lines.

Nottingham city centre carries the bulk of the county's dining options, from Sushimania and Marmaris Turkish Restaurant through to casual cafes and delis tucked between the shops. It's the obvious base if you want variety within walking distance, with everything from quick lunches to sit-down evening meals.

Beyond the city, places thin out but don't disappear. East Bridgford and other Nottinghamshire villages have their own pubs and small eateries, often the kind of spot locals rely on rather than destinations in themselves, alongside places like Hickory's Smokehouse in Nuthall for a more substantial meal out.

Given the sheer number of listings across the county, it's worth deciding first whether you want a night in the city or a quieter meal closer to where you're staying, as the two experiences differ considerably.

Sherwood Forest and its surrounding woodland give Nottinghamshire's campsites a distinctly leafy character, with Edwinstowe and the wider Dukeries area holding a good cluster of pitches and glamping set-ups close to the forest trails. Sherwood Pines Campsite and Dukeries Retreat both make sense as bases for exploring the pine woods and cycling routes, while Trinity Farm Organic Camping and The Labyrinth Woodland suit those wanting a quieter, more rural stay away from the main visitor spots.

Further south and east, the Trent Valley brings a different flavour, with sites around Newark, Gunthorpe and Southwell offering riverside and countryside pitches, such as Marnham Lake Fishing and Camping for anglers or New Hall Farm Touring Park for a straightforward touring stopover. Southwell Retreat and Witham Grange Glamping lean towards comfort over canvas, and Olive Tree Caravan and Camping Park adds another option for those touring by van.

Nearer Nottingham itself, sites tend to work well as a base for city visits combined with time outdoors, while Bell Tent Village Parks and Retford's options suit groups or families wanting glamping rather than a traditional pitch.

Self-catering options in Nottinghamshire are concentrated around Nottingham itself, which suits visitors keen to combine a base with easy access to the city's museums, castle grounds and nightlife rather than a rural retreat. Castle House and St Peters Apartment both put you within walking distance of the centre, useful if you'd rather leave the car behind for a few days.

Fox Hollow offers a slightly different feel, better suited to those wanting more space or a quieter setting while still being close enough to Nottingham for day trips into town. With only a handful of properties across the county, it's worth booking early, particularly around match days or event weekends when the city gets busy.