Attractions: Top Castles In and Around Nottingham and the East Midlands
From crumbling ruins to spectacular ramparts, we’re surrounded by all manner of castles – in all manner of states of repair.
And we’re well placed here to explore a huge variety to help bring our history to life – from the damaged castle at Newark to the stately Belvoir site.
What’s On In Nottingham brings you this guide to the best alternative castles if you’re planning to totally ruin your weekend; from an articles recently published in the Nottingham Post.
Attractions: Top Castles in and around Nottingham and the East Midlands
Ashby de la Zouch Castle
Owned by English Heritage is Ashby de la Zouch Castle.
The castle here is also partially ruined, but it was the inspiration for Sir Walter Scott’s novel Ivanhoe and is often the setting for some fantastic reenactment events.
Be sure to go to the top of the tower as well as through the dimly-lit tunnels here.
More information: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/ashby-de-la-zouch-castle/
Attractions: Top Castles in and around Nottingham and the East Midlands
Elvaston Castle
A cheaper alternative is heading to Derbyshire’s Elvaston Castle – the only price to pay is for car parking.
Although the gothic revival castle centrepiece is not open to the public, there are 321 acres of open parkland, woodland and more formal historical gardens to explore.
More information: http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside/countryside_sites/country_parks/elvaston/default.asp?VD=elvaston
Attractions: Top Castles in and around Nottingham and the East Midlands
Belvoir Castle
One of Leicestershire’s finest buildings, Belvoir Castle is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Rutland who have lived at Belvoir in an unbroken line for almost a thousand years.
Originally built in 1067 – a year after William the Conqueror handed the land to a Norman baron – the castle was left in ruins and rebuilt several times, before the impressive structure that stands today was finished in 1832.
More information: http://www.belvoircastle.com/
Attractions: Top Castles in and around Nottingham and the East Midlands
Rockingham Castle
Another Norman castle in Leicestershire within hitting distance is Rockingham, near Market Harborough.
This Royal favourite has castle tours as well as tea rooms and some stunning gardens to explore.
More information: http://www.rockinghamcastle.com/
Attractions: Top Castles in and around Nottingham and the East Midlands
Newark Castle
Newark Castle stands partially destroyed as a reminder of Newark’s turbulent history – but is still an impressive sight today.
Today, visitors can take tours, visit exhibitions or walk through the Victorian gardens and learn more about the Nottinghamshire town’s history.
More information: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/newarkcastle/
Attractions: Top Castles in and around Nottingham and the East Midlands
Bolsover Castle
Another English Heritage site, Bolsover’s fairy-tale Stuart mansion was designed to entertain and impress.
There’s amazing views to take in on the wall walk, and some lavish spaces to explore inside and out.
More information: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/bolsover-castle/
Attractions: Top Castles in and around Nottingham and the East Midlands
Tutbury Castle
Although the castle itself is now largely ruined, there cannot be many more impressive locations for a castle in the Midlands than Tutbury’s.
And as well as the stunning views, the castle’s many reenactment events, such as the Vikings days they hold, make the drive well worth it.
More information: http://www.tutburycastle.com/
Attractions: Top Castles in and around Nottingham and the East Midlands
Tamworth Castle
Tamworth Castle is a complete castle where visitors can wander through chambers and hallways and get a real feel for medieval living.
There’s also some fantastic views from the top of the turrets.
More information:http://www.tamworthcastle.co.uk/
Attractions: Top Castles in and around Nottingham and the East Midlands
Warwick Castle
The jewel in the crown of England’s castles, this must-visit attraction drags tourists in from all over the world.
Although this is one of the more expensive days out here, there’s easily more than a day’s worth of activities on offer for all the family at this towering tourist attraction, from birds of prey shows to archery to reenactments to a working trebuchet and much more.
More information: https://www.warwick-castle.com/
Attractions: Top Castles in and around Nottingham and the East Midlands
Nottingham Castle
The city’s iconic castle sits atop a rock with commanding views across the city.
The site is currently closed for a £30m revamp and will not be open to the public until 2020.
But if you’re in the area, you can get a feel for it by enjoying a refreshment or two at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, reputedly England’s oldest pub built into the rock and originally used as a brewhouse for the castle.
More information:https://www.nottinghamcastle.org.uk/
Be the first to comment on "Nottingham’s has shut – so here are the other top Castles across the region"