List of places of interest in Nottinghamshire facts for kids

This is a list of exciting places to visit in the British county of Nottinghamshire! Get ready to explore historic buildings, beautiful nature spots, and interesting museums.

This map shows the different areas of Nottinghamshire: 1 Rushcliffe, 2 Broxtowe, 3 Ashfield, 4 Gedling, 5 Newark and Sherwood, 6 Mansfield, 7 Bassetlaw, and 8 Nottingham.

Explore Nottinghamshire: Fun Places to Visit

Ashfield: History and Heritage

Ashfield is a district with some cool historical sites.

• Annesley Old Church
  • Location: Annesley
  • Type: Historic Church
  • What it is: This old church was built way back in 1356 by the Annesley family. It's a really important medieval building.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Grade I listed building, which means it's super important for its history and architecture! It's also a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Annesley Old Church, a very old building from 1356.

Bassetlaw: Nature and Old Buildings

Bassetlaw offers a mix of beautiful nature and fascinating old places.

• Chesterfield Canal
  • Location: Starts near West Stockwith
  • Type: Canal
  • What it is: This 46-mile long canal was built in 1777. It's a great place for walks and seeing boats. It even goes into Derbyshire and South Yorkshire!
  • Fun Fact: Parts of it are a Site of Special Scientific Interest, meaning it's important for wildlife.

A peaceful view of the Chesterfield Canal.

• Clumber Park
  • Location: The Dukeries
  • Type: Country Park
  • What it is: This huge park used to be the home of the Earl of Lincoln. Now, it's a beautiful place to explore with lots of trees and open spaces.
  • Fun Fact: It's a National Trust property, which means it's looked after for everyone to enjoy. It's also a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The beautiful Limetree Avenue at Clumber Park.

• Creswell Crags
  • Location: Cresswell
  • Type: Gorge and Caves
  • What it is: This amazing limestone gorge has caves with the oldest cave art in Europe! It's shared with Derbyshire.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its unique geology and history.

The ancient caves at Creswell Crags.

• Idle Valley Nature Reserve
  • Location: Retford
  • Type: Nature Reserve
  • What it is: A fantastic place for nature lovers! You can spot lots of different birds and animals here.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

A cool bug arch at Idle Valley Nature Reserve.

• Mattersey Priory
  • Location: Mattersey
  • Type: Priory Ruins
  • What it is: These are the ruins of an old priory, a type of monastery. It's a glimpse into medieval life.
  • Fun Fact: It's an English Heritage property, meaning it's protected and managed for visitors.

The ruins of Mattersey Priory.

• Mr Straw's House
  • Location: Worksop
  • Type: Historic House
  • What it is: This Edwardian house was built in 1905. What's special is that its inside hasn't really changed since the 1920s! It's like stepping back in time.
  • Fun Fact: It's a National Trust property.

Mr Straw's House, preserved from the 1920s.

• River Idle
  • Location: From Markham Moor to Misterton
  • Type: River
  • What it is: This 26-mile long river flows through the area, providing a home for wildlife and pretty views.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The River Idle flowing peacefully.

• Serlby Hall
  • Location: Blyth
  • Type: Country House
  • What it is: An impressive 18th-century country house built in 1740.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Grade I listed building.

Serlby Hall peeking through the trees.

• St. Mary and St. Martin’s Church
  • Location: Blyth
  • Type: Historic Church
  • What it is: This medieval church was built in 1088! Its priory is one of the oldest examples of Norman architecture in the country.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Grade I listed building.

St. Mary and St. Martin’s Church in Blyth.

• St. Peter's Church
  • Location: Clayworth
  • Type: Historic Church
  • What it is: This church dates back to the 11th century! It had a big restoration in 1874.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Grade I listed building.

St. Peter's Church in Clayworth.

More Places in Bassetlaw

• All Saints' Church, Babworth
• Church of St. John the Baptist, East Markham
• Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Clumber Park
• St Peter's Church, East Drayton
• Harley Gallery and Foundation
• St Giles' Church, Elkesley
• St Gregory's Church, Fledborough
• St John the Evangelist's Church, Carlton in Lindrick
• St Mary's Church, Norton Cuckney
• St Oswald's Church, Dunham-on-Trent
• St. Peter's Church, Headon-cum-Upton

Broxtowe: Museums and Nature

Broxtowe has interesting museums and a lovely nature reserve.

• Attenborough Nature Reserve
  • Location: Attenborough
  • Type: Nature Reserve
  • What it is: A wonderful place to see local wildlife, especially birds. It's great for walks and learning about nature.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The visitor centre at Attenborough Nature Reserve.

• D. H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum
  • Location: Eastwood
  • Type: Museum
  • What it is: This museum is all about the famous writer D. H. Lawrence. You can learn about his life and how he grew up.

The birthplace museum of D. H. Lawrence.

• Durban House Heritage Centre
  • Location: Eastwood
  • Type: Museum
  • What it is: This museum tells the story of Eastwood itself. You can discover what life was like in the town long ago.

Durban House Heritage Centre.

Gedling: Historic Priories and Pumping Stations

Gedling is home to a famous priory and an impressive old pumping station.

• Newstead Abbey
  • Location: Newstead
  • Type: Priory and Historic House
  • What it is: This was an Augustinian priory founded in 1170. It's most famous for being the home of the poet Lord Byron.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Grade I listed building.

Newstead Abbey, once home to Lord Byron.

• Papplewick Pumping Station
  • Location: Papplewick
  • Type: Pumping Station and Museum
  • What it is: A fantastic Victorian pumping station built in 1881. It used to provide water for the city of Nottingham. It's a cool example of old technology.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Grade II* listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The impressive Papplewick Pumping Station.

Mansfield: Local History

Mansfield has a museum where you can learn about the area's past.

• Mansfield Museum
  • Location: Mansfield
  • Type: Museum
  • What it is: Discover the history of Mansfield and the surrounding area at this local museum.

Newark and Sherwood: Castles and Airplanes

This district has a mix of medieval castles, abbeys, and even an air museum!

• British Horological Institute
  • Location: Upton
  • Type: Museum
  • What it is: This museum is all about clocks and watches! You can see amazing old timepieces and learn how they work.

Upton Hall, home of the British Horological Institute.

• Newark Air Museum
  • Location: Winthorpe
  • Type: Museum
  • What it is: If you love airplanes, this is the place for you! You can see many different types of aircraft.

An aircraft on display at Newark Air Museum.

• Newark Castle
  • Location: Newark-on-Trent
  • Type: Castle Ruins
  • What it is: The ruins of a historic castle that played a big role in English history. You can explore what's left of it.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Grade I listed building.

The historic ruins of Newark Castle.

• Rufford Abbey
  • Location: Rufford
  • Type: Abbey Ruins and Park
  • What it is: The remains of an old abbey, set in beautiful parkland. It's a great place for a walk and to imagine life long ago.
  • Fun Fact: It's an English Heritage property.

Rufford Hall, part of the Rufford Abbey estate.

• The Workhouse
  • Location: Southwell
  • Type: Museum
  • What it is: This building was a workhouse, where poor people used to live and work. Now it's a museum that shows what life was like for them.
  • Fun Fact: It's a National Trust property.

The Workhouse in Southwell.

Other Places in Newark and Sherwood

• Beth Shalom Holocaust Centre

Nottingham: City Sights and History

Nottingham, the main city, has lots to see, from castles to museums and nature spots.

• Colwick Cutting
  • Location: Sneinton
  • Type: Woodland
  • What it is: A lovely woodland area, perfect for a peaceful walk in nature.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

A view from Colwick Woods park, near Colwick Cutting.

• Galleries of Justice Museum
  • Location: Nottingham
  • Type: Museum
  • What it is: This museum is in an old courthouse and jail. You can learn about crime and punishment through history.

The historic building of the Galleries of Justice Museum.

• Green's Mill
  • Location: Sneinton
  • Type: Windmill and Science Centre
  • What it is: A working windmill that was once owned by the famous scientist George Green. You can learn about how windmills work and explore science.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Grade II listed building.

Green's Windmill, a historic working windmill.

• Nottingham Castle
  • Location: Nottingham
  • Type: Castle and Museum
  • What it is: A historic castle with a long and exciting past, linked to Robin Hood! It's now a museum and art gallery.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Grade I listed building.

The entrance gate to Nottingham Castle.

• Nottingham Contemporary
  • Location: Nottingham
  • Type: Art Gallery
  • What it is: A modern art gallery that shows exciting new art from around the world.

The modern building of Nottingham Contemporary.

• Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre
  • Location: Ruddington
  • Type: Museum
  • What it is: This museum is all about transport! You can see old trains, buses, and other vehicles. It's at the end of the Great Central Railway.

Three buses at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre.

• Wollaton Hall
  • Location: Nottingham
  • Type: Country House and Museum
  • What it is: A stunning Elizabethan country house built in 1580. It's now a natural history museum, with lots of cool exhibits.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Grade I listed building.

The grand Wollaton Hall.

More Places in Nottingham

• National Videogame Arcade
• Seller's Wood
• Wilwell Farm Nature Reserve

Rushcliffe: Historic Houses

Rushcliffe has a beautiful historic hall to visit.

• Holme Pierrepont Hall
  • Location: Holme Pierrepont
  • Type: Historic House
  • What it is: A lovely historic house with beautiful gardens. You can explore its long history.
  • Fun Fact: It's a Grade I listed building.

Holme Pierrepont Hall.