My recent visit to Nottinghamshire was memorable for many reasons, not least because it introduced me to the world of Segways! For the uninitiated, they’re two-wheeled, self-balancing, battery-powered electric vehicles and great fun.
After the all-important tuition from the tutors at Go Ape! – the outdoor adventure company which operates at numerous sites around the UK, including Sherwood Pines Forest – I was soon whizzing around woodland tracks deep inside the forest. You soon get the hang of it and, to be honest, I was disappointed when our tour, which lasted around 45 minutes, came to an end. My 12-year-old daughter was disappointed, too, because although she was old enough to jump on one of the machines, she wasn’t heavy enough – you have to be at least seven stone to control a Segway correctly. Never mind, perhaps she’ll be able to partake next time – and I’m certainly intending there to be a next time.
The forest tour was a good introduction to rural Nottinghamshire, an area I hadn’t explored before and would now highly recommend. The woodland is so dense in places that it’s easy to imagine Robin Hood, everyone’s favourite folk hero, and his merry men hiding amongst the trees.
As well as the Segway tour and other Go Ape! activities, such as the Tree Top Adventure, there is much to do at Sherwood Pines Forest. Covering over 3,300 acres, it’s the largest forest open to the public in the East Midlands. There are many great walks and cycle routes around the forest, plus adventure playgrounds and a visitor centre, which includes a café offering a good selection of snacks and drinks.
After an exciting but tiring few hours of activity, the choice of accommodation for our first night’s stay was spot-on: a luxury wooden cabin nestled within Sherwood Forest. But don’t get the impression the setting is dark and damp. Sherwood Hideaway’s luxury holiday lodges are situated in a wide clearing on the 13,000-acre Thoresby Hall Estate, so it’s open sky above rather than a canopy of trees; in fact, until recent times an army camp had stood on the site.
A perfect base for families or couples, walking and cycling opportunities abound in this area. We stayed in a VIP two-bedroom rustic cottage, complete with private hot-tub. It was an ideal way to relax after a busy day. Inside, the cabins are well equipped with contemporary décor. Free wi-fi is available, too.
We began our second day at Wheelgate Theme Park, which unlike some parks offers free parking. It’s one of the county’s most popular attractions and it doesn’t take long to understand why. Thankfully, it wasn’t too crowded the day we visited which made it even more enjoyable. It’s a spacious, well-designed park deep in the Nottinghamshire countryside aimed, I would say, at slightly younger children; mind you, that’s not to say older kids won’t enjoy it: my 12-year-old loved it as much as her six-year-old brother.
The park is split into areas with evocative names like Black Diamond Mining Zone, The Tropical Zone and Alien Galaxy Zone. A new edition to the park is Wet and Wild Land (ideal for those warm days) with water slides and everything else needed to give you a thorough drenching. Once you’ve dried off, there are plenty of places to relax and buy refreshments.
We would have tucked into something ourselves but had a lunch appointment at the nearby Fox and Hounds, a pub serving home-cooked food in the hamlet of Blidworth Bottoms.
If you’re ever in the area, make sure you stop off for a meal because the food is scrumptious – and the hosts are pretty nice, too! In fact, Diane and David – who’ve owned the place 12 years – make you feel welcome the moment you walk through the door.
Food is served seven days a week and the menu, containing lots of freshly-prepared dishes, is extensive. Being vegetarians, we’re used to just one or two options when dining out but at the Fox and Hounds were spoilt for choice. Meals were beautifully presented and, gosh, what big portions. For starters, we tried the beetroot and courgette soup; while I opted for homemade vegetarian cottage pie for main course, my wife chose the Asian stir-fry with tofu; the kids were well catered for, too. All meals are served with six potato options, including twister fries and new potatoes.
A former farmhouse, the building was converted into an inn during the 1850s and the current incumbents are doing a grand job.
The afternoon was spent in Nottingham, a 30-minute drive away. Our first port of call was Nottingham Castle. Being a Sunday, we took advantage of the discounted parking on Castle Road, just outside the castle, at a price of £1 for two hours.
The current structure, dating back to the 17th century, commands a fine position on a natural promontory, called Castle Rock, and is built on the site of the original medieval castle. These days, it houses the city’s main museum and art gallery, and is well worth visiting. Among the permanent collections is the WFR Sherwood Foresters’ Regimental Museum, the local regiment which is now part of the Mercian Regiment.
If you visit the city, make sure you allow enough time to enjoy the Galleries of Justice Museum. It’s one of the best museums I’ve ever visited and the Crime and Punishment Tour (£25.50 for family ticket – four people) is a “must”. The venue’s website describes the tour as learning about “the appalling conditions of our gaol which led to the disgusted Victorian authorities closing its doors for good. Costumed actors will interact with you to maximise the drama available.”
It’s an extensive tour (perhaps too long for young children) which provides a thorough overview of the jail’s history, leaving you with no doubt what conditions were like for anyone imprisoned in the building all those years ago.
Our final night in the area was spent at the Nottingham Belfry, on the city’s outskirts, which is nicely located for exploring the area’s attractions. Part of the Qhotel Group, the Belfry boasts 200-plus car parking spaces (right next to the hotel) so there is never any worries about finding a space.
Its stylish interior is evident the moment you walk in to the spacious lobby and stylish reception area. It’s clear that much attention has been paid to the décor, such as the splashes of colour throughout the building and walls of glass allowing light to rush in.
A sense of space throughout helps create a relaxing atmosphere in the hotel, something which is reinforced by the friendly staff who are keen to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Abstract art adorns the walls in the corridors while in the reception area, 3D pictures celebrate Raleigh bikes, one of the oldest bicycle companies in the world, which has its UK base in the city.
Built in 2006, there is a swimming pool, spa and gym while upstairs the 120 bedrooms are comfortable and contemporary. The standard and superior rooms were updated in 2012, including improved lighting. My only moan is that, currently, air conditioning is only available in the suites. If you visit on a warm evening and, like me, feel the heat, it can seem rather stuffy at times – even with the window open (restricted for security reasons). That aside, our room was spacious and offered everything we needed.
Meals were taken at the large restaurant, which is subtly lit. From many seats, you can look out towards the atrium and the water feature outside. Staff are attentive and the menus comprehensive; there is also a children’s menu. Although we’re a vegetarian family and often struggle to find much choice on restaurant menus, we were pleased with the selection on offer at The Belfry. We did experience a bizarre moment when ordering a children’s meal. On discovering he didn’t have the veggie burger on the menu, the chef decided to dish up a hash brown as a replacement without informing us. My daughter noticed straight away. She was unlucky that night because there weren’t any peas in stock and her choice of drink wasn’t available. Still, it was an isolated moment in an otherwise pleasant evening eating appetising food.
Our stay in Nottinghamshire was over far too quickly and we’ve decided to return to explore more of this oft-overlooked county. It has much to offer visitors – of all ages – and I’d recommend it for a family holiday; we certainly enjoyed it.
More information:
www.goape.co.uk, tel: 0843 249 7163
www.forestry.gov.uk/sherwoodpines
www.sherwoodhideaway.com, tel: 01623 824594
www.wheelgatepark.com, tel: 01623 882773
www.foxandhounds-pub.com, tel: 01623 792383
www.galleriesofjustice.org.uk, tel: 0115 952 0555
www.qhotels.co.uk/our-locations/the-nottingham-belfry, tel: 0115 973 9393
For further information on Nottinghamshire, visit: