A county steeped in history, yet with a thoroughly modern appeal
Nottinghamshire is best known for its folk hero, Robin Hood, who robbed the rich, gave to the poor and made the Sheriff look useless. However, his is not the region’s only famous faces. Author DH Lawrence grew up here and called it ‘the country of my heart’, while Lord Byron lived at Newstead Abbey, with a bear, a dog and a wolf.
The county’s main city Nottingham, is both traditional and cosmopolitan: its castle’s 13th-century gatehouse is only moments from chic boutiques and cool cafés. Nottinghamshire is a treasure trove of well-kept secrets. The Broadmarsh Shopping Centre sits on top of a labyrinth of caves, while an industrial estate hides Rushcliffe Country Park.
This guide will introduce you to a land of contrasts, where the famous exists alongside the ordinary. So if winter is proving too oppressive, why not head to Britain’s heartland for a sip of the expected, followed by some rewarding detective work?