My Favourite Spots in Nottinghamshire by Sally Nightingale

This week we are sharing Sally Nightingale’s favourite places in Nottinghamshire. If you would like to share your ‘favourites’ with us, email us at social@experiencenottinghamshire.com or use the comment section below. You may feature on our blog and our various social media platforms.   Sally Nightingale is the Heritage Services Manager at DH Lawrence Heritage. Here are her favourite places in the county. "Newstead Abbey will always have a special place in my heart, not only did I get married there six years ago, but I also worked as a waitress in the café and restaurant (then The White Lady Restaurant) for over five years from the ages of 16 -21. It was a complete baptism of fire but it taught me about the importance of customer service and I was able to gain valuable experience in the tourism industry. I will most certainly never forget the call of the famous resident peacocks – they got everywhere! The Abbey is close to where I live and we often cycle along the old railway line nearby and today my son loves to stand behind the waterfall (which he believes no-one else has ever discovered!). When the weather is sunny (although let’s be honest those have been a bit few and far between this year) I love to take the kids to some of the great open parks and spaces dotted around Nottinghamshire. In the south there is Rushcliffe Country Park (in Ruddington), great for digging in the sand pit, and Lakeside Arts Centre, with a variety of play equipment and the lovely lake setting. While in the north I enjoy a visit to Rufford Country Park, which has a great outdoor play area for the kids to explore, and Sherwood Pines, with its fabulous forest backdrop where there is always a woodland den of some sort to discover. I take a picnic, and for a just a few pounds for parking, we can have a really inexpensive, great family day out. From hen-dos, family weekends and just a couples get away I’ve visited Center Parcs on numerous occasions. I love how they have made the most of its Sherwood Forest backdrop and you really do feel like you’re in a different world. Oh, and the Aqua Spa is a treat not to be missed!"