The old city center of Nottingham takes pride in its numerous tourist attractions, of which the Old Market Square is one. One of the largest public places in England and abode to the Nottingham Tourism Centre, the Old Market Square is the first stop before you head towards the city. With the Neoclassical Council House on its east side, topped by a daunting dome and the remarkable Guildhall in the near vicinity, don’t miss exploring the Nottingham Playhouse for the striking Sky Mirror, a 19ft wide Dish (made of stainless steel) pointing upwards, giving a unique view of the skyline. This lovely creation was designed by Anish Kapoor.

A few steps from the Old Market Square is the ancient Lace Market, which was the core of Britain’s Lace Industry originally. One of the city’s most significant heritage areas, the warehouses and display room here now house lace makers, shops and restaurants. The Galleries of Justice Museum in Nottingham’s former jailhouse and court is a popular attraction and has been in use since 1780, including glorious displays associated with crimes, punishment and Robin Hood. Some other noteworthy places include the National Ice Centre – the largest ice skating rink facility in the country and the Nottingham Contemporary – a contemporary art gallery.

There are a number of caves that exist underneath Nottingham in the sandstone, inclusive of a glorious 322ft Mortimor’s Hole, right below the castle, and is part of the tourist attraction, named after Roger Mortimer, Edward II’s wife, Queen Isabella’s lover. With over 450 caves beneath this town, the group has been used for decades for defense and storage purposes. You can explore some fascinating guided tours of these caves.

Home, once to George Green, a mathematical physicist, the lovely Green’s Mill was constructed in 1807, and rebuilt in the 1980s, showcasing the spectacular internal windmill works across the 4 levels, with each floor providing an insight into the process of flour making. The Science Centre here includes a discovery zone with a variety of fun and interactive exhibits and popular among the youngsters.

Located in Nottingham’s Eastwood area, the D.H Lawrence Birthplace Museum includes three inimitable attractions that are made in honor of D.H. Lawrence, a celebrated English author. Home to some fascinating displays of Eastwood’s social past during the author’s lifetime, the Museum includes restored artifacts from a Victorian classroom, a mock-up of a mine the visitors can crawl through, and a grocery shop. In addition, there is a conference space, a bistro, and an art gallery as well, with exhibits about the mining community’s family life that influenced the early years of Lawrence’s life. You also get an opportunity to explore the rooms where the family resided with some of Lawrence’s original colors and personal items.

The Great Central Railway makes for an admirable excursion in Nottingham, along the 10 miles of rail tracks between Ruddington-East Leake & Loughborough. The ride along this heritage railway focuses on a number of fully restored diesel and steam train engines, rolling stock, vintage buses, fully-functional workshops, café and shops.

Spanning the Nottingham Castle to Sherwood Forest, the 104 miles long Robin Hood Way includes many tourist attractions that celebrate the legendary resident of Nottingham, with trails going through the Clumber Park, past the Rufford Abbey, Thieves Wood, Robin Hood Hills and Fountain Dale. The most significant landmark associated with Robin Hood is the popular Sherwood Forest, which covers nearly 1000 acres neighboring the village of Edwinstowe, and the 450 acres of Sherwood Forest Park. Other places that you must visit include the 1000-year-old Major Oak, Thynghowe – an age-old meeting place for resolving disputes and the Sherwood Forest Arts & Craft Centre.

Considered one of the most wonderful examples of Victorian Industrial designs in the UK, the Papplewick Pumping Station is an excellent sample of 19th-century workmanship that boasts of a variety of qualities that include a boiler house with 6 Lancashire broilers, an ornate cooling pond, set amidst properly designed grounds. The ornamental engine house is residence to the former twin-beam engines that were built in 1884 by James Watt and you can witness a beautiful combination of artistic designs and Victorian engineering, with intricately adorned columns, attractive stained glass windows and elegant brass & mahogany. Bestwood Country park is yet another industrial achievement that houses the Winding Engine House, one of the last remnants of a large quarry that governed the landscape.

Approx. 20 mins to the north of Nottingham is the Newstead Abbey, a former residence of Lord Byron, a poet whose tomb lies in the Newstead Parish Church. Originally an Augustinian cloister that was constructed in 1170 by Henry II, most of its original constructions are visible including the dining hall, the west entrance to the church, the chapterhouse and the friaries. Lord Byron’s rooms have been maintained as they were in his lifetime with most of his vestiges on display. Don’t miss the beautiful garden with its rare and ancient assortment of trees, tropical gardens of Japanese origin, in addition to the streams and lakes in the grounds.