Funtastic facts about Nottinghamshire:
- Some of the most important Ice Age finds in Britain were excavated at Creswell Crags near Worksop.
- The gigantic Major Oak stands proud in Sherwood Forest, the legendary hideout of Robin Hood and his merry men.
- DH Lawrence, one of the most famous writers of the 20th century, was born and brought up in Eastwood.
- King Charles I started the Civil War near Nottingham Castle, surrendered at Newark and was confined at Southwell.
- Nottinghamshire covers just under 850 square miles.
- Nottingham’s Goose Fair has existed since at least 1284, when it lasted eight days.
- The Raleigh ‘Chopper’, now a design icon, was introduced by the Raleigh Company of Nottingham in 1969. It was re-launched in 2004.
- The shy fifth Duke of Portland built a network of subterranean tunnels and rooms, including a library, chapel and ballroom all lit by gas, under Welbeck Abbey in the 19th century.
- The most popular product produced by Nottingham’s famous Jesse Boot (of Boots The Chemist) was called Boots No Name Ointment.
- Queen Eleanor died in the village of Harby on the border of Notts and Lincs. In the beautiful new church there’s a brass in the floor of the chancel bearing the inscription: ‘Here died Eleanor of Castile, Queen of England, Nov. 27th, A.D. 1290.’
- In 1607 the founding Pilgrim Fathers left Bassetlaw to start their new life in Holland. It was 13 years later – in 1620 – when the Pilgrims finally reached Plymouth, USA.
Things to see and explore
Galleries of Justice
Journey through 300 years of Crime and Punishment on this historic site. Your senses are bombarded with the sounds, sights and smells of justice and injustice, the guilty and the innocent. This historic site – in the heart of the City´s Lace Market – was in use as courts and prisons from the 1780s to the 1980s – although there has been a court on the site since at least 1375 and a prison since 1449. Witness a real trial in the authentic Victorian courtroom before being sentenced and `sent down´ to the original cells and medieval caves.
Shire Hall, High Pavement, Nottingham, NG1 1HN
Website
Jumicar Driving Experience – a safe, fun and educational activity
The Jumicar experience gives them a fun way of learning road awareness skills, the importance of obeying the rules of the road, being considerate to other road users and being aware of the hazards on the road. Taking part in an exciting and enjoyable experience on our circuits, they learn almost without realizing it and at a fantastic pace, how to behave safely in a car – as both driver and as a passenger – and how to behave safely as a pedestrian.
Ferry Farm, Boat Lane, Hoveringham, Notts NG14 7EE
Website (and more details below)
The Tales of Robin Hood
Travel back in time with Robin Hood and his merry men on an adventure packed themed tour, exploring the intriguing ad mysterious story of their legendary tales of Medieval England. Enjoy film shows, live performances, adventure ride and even try archery! Are you brave enough to join Robin on his quest for good against evil?
Robin Hood lived in the 1100’s during the reign of Richard I. He is best known for his bravery and agility in his fight for justice, for the poor and oppressed. He roamed Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire as an outlaw in order to avoid being captured by the Sheriff. During this time, it was one of England’s finest royal forests, reserved exclusively for the King’s hunting.
30/38 Maid Marion Way, Nottingham, NG1 6GF
Website
Brewhouse Yard Museum
Located at the base of the Castle Rock, the museum depicts the social history of Nottingham over the last 300 years. It contains a mixture of reconstructed room and shop settings, and gallery displays. Step back into an air raid shelter, experience being in a Victorian home, see inside a child’s bedroom and look through the cupboards in the kitchen. See objects that were made or used by people in Nottingham and learn about the history of the area, through sight, sound and touch.
Brewhouse Yard Museum, Castle Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 1FB
Website
Green’s Mill Windmill
Green’s Windmill is a working windmill that produces its own organic flour. You can see how the flour is made by climbing to the different levels of the windmill. When the wind is blowing the experience is even better, as you watch and hear the machinery turning the millstones. You can also buy the award-winning organic flour from the shop. Children and adults can test their minds with fun hands-on puzzles and experiments in the Science Centre and for the under 5s there’s a special Mini Millers area, where even the youngest scientists can start discovering and learning.
Green’s Mill Windmill, Windmill Lane, Sneinton, Nottingham, NG2 4QB
Website
Ruddington Framework Knitters Museum
A unique collection of restored cottages and workshops arranged around a garden courtyard. Walk round to see how a local Victorian community lived and worked, watch live demonstrations of their machines, try your hand at knitting on a 19th-century sock machine, see a collection of hosiery spanning 200 years, perhaps watch a short film, and then relax with a cup of tea in the garden or teashop before checking out the museum craftshop
Ruddington Framework Knitters Museum, Chapel Street, Ruddington, Nottingham, NG11 6HE
Website
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