Nottingham Castle Gatehouse, the entrance for visitors and tourists visiting the castle in Nottinghamshire.

Getty Images

Nottingham Castle

Nottingham


Nottingham's castle crowns a sandstone outcrop worm-holed with caves and tunnels. Founded by William the Conqueror, the original castle was held by a succession of English kings before falling in the English Civil War.

Its 17th-century manor-house-like replacement is undergoing major renovations, and is closed until spring 2020. When it reopens, it will feature a new Robin Hood Gallery, a Rebellion Gallery, covering social unrest from medieval times, and displays on art and manufacturing, including salt-glazed stoneware and lacemaking.

Access to the cave system will be extended, parts of the castle grounds will be remodelled to reveal more of the medieval site, and a new visitor centre and cafe will open here. The 17th-century cottages comprising the Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard will also reopen in mid-2020.

The much-photographed statue of Robin Hood stands in the former moat and remains accessible while works take place.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Nottingham attractions

2. Statue of Robin Hood

0.07 MILES

Taking aim at the castle gates with his bow and arrow from Nottingham Castle's former moat, this 1952-unveiled bronze statue of Nottingham's famous outlaw…

3. City of Caves

0.26 MILES

Over the centuries, the sandstone underneath Nottingham has been carved into a honeycomb of caverns and passageways. Tours lead you from the top level of…

4. Nottingham Contemporary

0.3 MILES

Behind its lace-patterned concrete facade, Nottingham Contemporary holds edgy, design-driven exhibitions of paintings, prints, photography and sculpture.

5. National Justice Museum

0.36 MILES

In the grand Georgian Shire Hall, the National Justice Museum offers a ghoulish stroll through centuries of British justice, including medieval trials by…

6. St Mary's Church

0.41 MILES

The most atmospheric time to visit this beautiful stone church with a history stretching back to Saxon times is during evensong (6.15pm Wednesday during…

7. Wollaton Hall

2.26 MILES

Built in 1588 for coal mogul Sir Francis Willoughby by avant-garde architect Robert Smythson, Wollaton Hall sits within 200 hectares of grounds roamed by…

8. Newstead Abbey

9.05 MILES

Founded as an Augustinian priory in around 1170, this evocative lakeside property was converted into a residence in 1539. It's inextricably associated…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "england/the-midlands/nottingham/attractions/nottingham-castle/a/poi-sig/1216323/359072",
      "destination": "Nottingham",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "England",
      "city": "Nottingham",
      "position": "superzone"
    }