Best things to do in Nottinghamshire

Pamper yourself with a day of luxury at Eden Hall Day Spa. Located in a 19th-century Nottinghamshire mansion, the spa boasts relaxation and detox areas, a fitness center, and two eateries. Treat yourself to a manicure or soak in the saltwater vitality pool before finishing the afternoon with a walk through the lush gardens surrounding the mansion. Don’t miss a seasonal, fresh three-course lunch at the restaurant. Plan to visit the spa on a weekday for discounted prices and fewer crowds.

Walk through the majestic Wollaton Hall and Park to see Elizabethan bedrooms, kitchens, wine cellars, stables, gardens, and servants' quarters. The grand mansion was built in the 1580s for Sir Francis Willoughby, a wealthy industrialist. Legend has it that Queen Elizabeth I snubbed Willoughby’s previous house, prompting him to charge architect Robert Smythson to construct a mansion so grandiose it would leave all future visitors, royal and commoner alike, absolutely speechless. Since opening to the public in 1926, the site has been home to the city’s natural history museum, with a collection of nearly 750,000 specimens of birds, insects, and plants. The mansion’s calendar is full of special events, guided tours, and family activities. Skip the long lines by booking online.

Once the main residence of the duke, Nottingham Castle is considered the city of Nottingham's best art gallery. The gallery got international attention when it hosted the "Waking Dreams" exhibition of Pre-Raphaelite art. In the permanent collection, you'll find watercolors by Paul Sandby, Wedgwood Jasperware, locally made salt-glazed stoneware, oil paintings, and a group of costumes that showcase locally made lace. All of these works of art are housed inside the castle's exquisitely preserved architecture, one of the rare examples of Artisan Mannerist style. Take a guided tour through the remaining rock-cut cellars, following a long passage that leads to the bottom of the rock that the castle rests on, known as Mortimer's Hole.

Almost every childhood fantasy, including cowboys, fairytales, Robin Hood, and Santa Claus, is represented at Sundown Adventureland. These themes are arranged across vast acreage that you can navigate prior to your arrival via an online map, complete with animated figures populating the attractions. Book tickets online for convenience and arrive early to avoid lines for attractions.

Wander 1,538 hectares (3,800 acres) of parkland and forest at Clumber Park. Drive through Limetree Avenue, a 3.2 km (2 mile) avenue planted with over a thousand lime trees. Enjoy views across the lake from the 18th-century pleasure ground. Marvel at the Gothic Revival architecture of the chapel, described as a "cathedral in miniature." Get hands-on inside the discovery center, and learn more about the park's wildlife. The Willow Tree Farm exhibit explores Victorian farming, and the walled kitchen garden features a museum of gardening tools.