Nottingham Castle and Caves
About
Nottingham Castle sits on a dramatic sandstone outcrop above the city, and the real draw isn't the 17th-century ducal mansion on top (now a museum and gallery, reopened in 2021 after a major redevelopment) but what's beneath — a labyrinth of caves carved into the soft sandstone over centuries. The castle cave tours take you through medieval passages, a Victorian pub cellar, and Mortimer's Hole, the tunnel through which Edward III's soldiers crept to arrest Roger Mortimer in 1330. The museum covers Nottingham's history from Robin Hood to the Luddites, the lace industry, and the city's radical political tradition — the Reform Act Riots of 1831 saw the previous castle burned to the ground. The gallery has a decent art collection including works by local artists. The views from the castle terrace across the city are excellent. The Robin Hood connection is everywhere — a statue outside the castle, various trails, and an entire gift shop devoted to the legend. The historical reality is more complex and interesting than the myth, and the museum handles this well. The Trip to Jerusalem pub at the base of the castle rock claims to be the oldest pub in England (dating claims vary, but it's certainly ancient, with rooms carved into the rock).
https://www.nottinghamcastle.org.uk/ 0115 876 1400
Tickets & Pricing
Adult £13, Child (5-17) £7, Under 5s free. Cave tours included.
Opening Times
Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00. Closed Mondays except bank holidays. Cave tours timed — book ahead.
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