Visit Newark and Sherwood

Newark and Sherwood is less a single attraction and more a whole district to explore - though most visitors head straight for Newark itself, a proper market town with real medieval bones. The castle ruins dominate the town centre, a substantial Norman keep that's worth an hour or two if you fancy climbing about and taking in views across the Trent valley. The town itself rewards a slow wander: cobbled streets, independent shops, decent pubs, and the sort of architecture that makes you realise how important this place once was.

History buffs will get the most from a visit here. The castle saw action during the Civil War, and there's enough evidence of that conflict scattered about to keep anyone interested in 17th-century England properly engaged. Families with younger kids might find the ruins a bit sparse for a full afternoon, though the surrounding parkland is decent enough for a stretch and a picnic.

Sherwood Forest sits just outside Nottinghamshire proper, but it's the Robin Hood draw that brings most people to this area. Whether you're camping at Milestone Caravan Park or glamping at one of the nearby spots like BrackenXcapes or Witham Grange, Newark works as a base for exploring both the forest and the wider district. The town's free to walk around, and there's no need to pay for entry unless you want the castle experience.

Best visited on a quiet weekday if you can manage it - market day brings crowds but also energy. Allow a full day if you're mixing Newark's centre with nearby attractions.