Adbolton Sports Ground

You'll find Adbolton Sports Ground on the outskirts of Nottingham, a working venue that serves the local community rather than pull in tourists by the coach load. It's the kind of place where you might catch a cricket match in summer or watch a rugby side battle it out on the pitches if you time it right. The ground itself is fairly standard fare - proper sports facility with the usual clubhouse setup, nothing that'll make your jaw drop, but genuine and unpretentious.

This is really for people who want to catch live sport without the massive stadium atmosphere. Cricket enthusiasts will find something to enjoy during the season, and if rugby's your thing, there are matches throughout the year. It's the sort of venue where you can actually see the players' faces and hear what's happening on the field, which beats being stuck in the nosebleed seats at a big ground.

If you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots - Wolds Wine Estate or Peacock Lake are both excellent, about five miles out - Adbolton makes a decent half-day addition to a Nottinghamshire break. Check fixture schedules before you go, though, because turning up to an empty ground would be a waste of time. It pairs well with exploring Nottingham's city centre or visiting other local attractions. Being free to watch most matches is a genuine bonus for families looking for affordable day out options.