Nottinghamshire

Information and Tourism

There is no escaping from that legendary hero Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men on a visit to Nottinghamshire. Much is made of them wherever you go. In Nottingham, the city's manor-like castle dominates the landscape and you can't help but think that a certain sheriff is going to emerge at any moment, shaking his fist at any unsuspecting outlaws. Robin is said to have tied the knot with Maid Marion at Nottingham's Edinstowe Church. Whether or not he set foot in Nottingham's oldest pub 'Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem' remains to be seen. There again, no one has yet been able to verify the claim that this historic pub dates back to the 12th century.

Whether fact or fiction, it would be churlish to skip through Nottinghamshire without a visit to Sherwood Forest, which is located at its centre. Unfortunately, there is not much left of the original forest that once upon a time covered most of this Midlands county. Today, the part that is left is known as the Sherwood Forest Country Park and it is incredibly popular during the summer months, when crowds come to wander its leafy paths and admire the Major Oak in which Robin Hood was supposed to have hidden.

Nottinghamshire had a thriving mining community in the 20th century. It is this industrial heritage that inspired the county's most famous writer D. H. Lawrence. He was born in Eastwood, a short distance from Nottingham, and lived here until 1930. Lawrence penned a number of popular novels, including the highly controversial 'Lady Chatterley's Lover'.

Outside of the busy city of Nottingham, a gentle landscape awaits, dotted with sleepy towns and villages, as well as the occasional stately home, minster and castle. Among them is Newstead Abbey, which was the ancestral home of the acclaimed poet Lord Byron.

Nottinghamshire Information and Fast Facts

• Country: England
• Region: East Midlands
• Population: approximately 1.2 million
• County administrative town or city: West Bridgford
• Biggest city: Nottingham
• Language: English
• Area: 830 square miles / 2,150 square kilometres

	WORLD GUIDES TO NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
	World Guide to Nottingham, England The city of Nottingham is a surprising city and tourists will discover a thriving fashion industry, some leading entertainment venues, clubs and a superb shopping scene. Nottingham is also extremely proud of its Robin Hood heritage.

Map of Nottinghamshire