NOTTINGHAM BALLOON RIDES

THINGS TO DO IN NOTTINGHAM

For many visitors to Nottingham, a trip to Nottingham Castle is a must visit. Considered the ‘jewel in Nottingham’s crown’, it provides an in-depth exploration into the city’s past along with a broad selection of art. Standing definitely atop a cliff right in the city centre, a visit here will afford you expansive views of the city (from a totally different perspective than what you’ll get on your balloon ride overhead). Snuggled into the cliff you’ll find Brewhouse Yard, home to the Museum of Nottingham Life – a hands-on, interactive exhibits that bring the past 300 years of Nottingham life, to life! If you head to Friar Lane, another attraction brings a very famous part of Nottinghamshire’s past to life – The Robin Hood Experience. Through audio-visual technology, the legacy and locations of Robin Hood are recreated, which along with artefacts and interactive components, makes this a fun and informative way to while away a few hours for visitors of any age. It’s quite fitting that one of the country’s most famous outlaws has an experience centre in Nottingham, as just a 10 minute stroll away, you’ll find The National Justice Museum. Here you can visit the main museum, enjoy a special daily guided tour – Tales of Truth and Legend. At the museum you will also meet various characters who will tell you all about the history of the prison and justice system of the day. There are also other exhibitions covering off on punishments, prison reform and capital punishment. A visit here is both engaging and informative, and even better when coupled with a visit to the City of Caves – a tour of some of the 500 hidden caves and passageways that date back to the Dark Ages. See the only medieval underground tannery in the country, explore the remnants of Victorian slums and visit the WWII Anderson Air Raid Shelter to name just a few of the sights.

Another great option for a day or weekend in Nottingham is a visit to Wollaton Hall. In 1926 the hall opened its doors to the public and in was since that time it has been home to the Nottingham Natural History Museum. Here you can see the best selection of the museum’s catalogue of three quarters of a million items and artefacts, that makes up its zoology, geology and botany collections. When you’ve finished marvelling at the museum, you then have the main hall and its 500 acres of rolling parkland to explore. Inside you can discover the hall’s history and witness the stark contrast of the house: from the wealth and grandeur of the Prospect Room and upper levels to the Tudor Kitchen in the basement. Outside herds of red and fallow deer roam free, and taking some time to enjoy the splendid setting allows you a moment to cast your eyes skyward and to appreciate the unforgettable adventure you had, ballooning over Nottingham.