Explore outdoors in Nottinghamshire this summer

With the weather set to warm up, Nottinghamshire will come alive again this summer thanks to a number of major festivals and events across the county. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy fun in the sun - and in the rain too! Try your hand at archery in Wollaton Park at the Archery GB National Championships, sing along to your favourite pop stars at Forest Live in Sherwood Forest and watch world-class sport at Trent Bridge, as England take on India at the First Investec Test Match. Visit www.experiencenottinghamshire.com/whats-on for more news of what’s on.   No Tomorrow Festival (7 June 2014) – Wollaton Hall and Deer Park -  www.notomorrowfestival.co.uk   Splendour (19 July 2014) – Wollaton Hall and Deer Park - www.splendourfestival.com   This summer, the party is definitely in the park at Wollaton Hall and Deer Park. Set in a 500-acre deer park and home to the stunning Elizabethan mansion Wollaton Hall, two massive music events will take place within its grounds. Splendour Festival has proved to be extremely popular and has grown to become Nottingham’s largest outdoor music event, attracting over 20,000 people of all ages. This year, acts such as Tom Odell and Happy Mondays will share the stage with local talent for this one-day, family-friendly festival. Also this year, No Tomorrow Festival will take place on Saturday 7 June and is the perfect place for students to chill-out after their end-of-term exams. It will be headlined by Nottingham, Brit Award-nominated band London Grammar, plus Sam Smith, Indiana and Clean Bandit.   Forest Live (12 – 14 June 2014) – Sherwood Pines Forest Park - www.forestry.gov.uk/music This year, Forest Live will once again return to the East Midlands’ largest public forest, Sherwood Forest. The popular outdoor concert welcomes thousands of music lovers to come and enjoy live music in magnificent green space. Previous performers have included Keane, Pulp and Status Quo among others. In June 2014, the line-up will include Paul Weller, Jessie J and Boyzone.   Earth & Fire International Ceramics Fair 2014 (20 – 22 June 2014) – Rufford Abbey Country Park – FREE admission - www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/earthandfire This year is the 20th anniversary of Earth and Fire, one of the country's premiere ceramic events. Over a hundred potters from across the UK and Europe will be selling everything from garden planters and sculptures, to bowls, pie dishes, teapots, mugs, plates and egg cups from outdoor market stalls in the ancient abbey ruins and grounds. FREE entry – there is a £5 parking charge.   Cycle Live (21 – 22 June 2014) – Victoria Embankment, Nottingham - www.cyclelivenottingham.co.uk Celebrate all that’s great about cycling with Cycle Live in Nottinghamshire. In one weekend, there will be three great events covering fantastic sites of Nottingham streets to the best countryside scenery Nottinghamshire has to offer. Enthusiastic cyclists of all abilities can choose to participate in the Nottingham Grand Prix, Nottingham City Ride or Greats Notts Bike Ride.  It’s a fun day out for all the family and a great way to keep active, and cheer on the contestants.   In Notts We Love Dance (26 June – 13 July 2014) – Venues across Nottingham – FREE admission - www.experiencenottinghamshire.com/love-dance Foxtrot into Nottingham this summer and you will be greeted by a spectacular dance festival. Across three In Notts We Love Dance summer weekends, the city will celebrate its biggest programme of world class dance events. International dance organisation, (Dance4), national dance organisation (Youth Dance England), and the UK’s largest festival of dance participation and performance (Big Dance) will be descending on our city. You are guaranteed a magnificent beginning to your summer, with many FREE events for all.   First Investec Test: England v India (9 – 13 July & 30 August 2014) – Trent Bridge - trentbridge.co.uk After playing host during the first test of the sold-out 2013 Ashes between England and Australia, plus five busy Notts T20 matches, July 2013 was Trent Bridge’s busiest month, with more than 125,000 fans streaming through the gates. The city will be thriving with international visitors again in 2014 and Trent Bridge will be an array of culture and excitement as it is to host England vs. India in the Investec test and Royal London series one day international. During your visit, be sure to take advantage of the many special offers in conjunction with the cricket, including Trent Navigation’s Bales and Ales Festival.   Nottingham Riviera (25 July – 1 September 2014) – Old Market Square, Nottingham – FREE admission - www.nottinghamriviera.co.uk   Nottinghamshire may be the most land-locked county in England, but this summer the city centre will be transformed once again and Nottingham's famous 'urban beach’ will draw crowds to Old Market Square. The beach attracts families, visitors and tourists from across Britain to the city and offers Nottingham City residents a chance to enjoy the seaside without leaving Nottingham. The event will run for five weeks and include a giant paddling pool, sandy beach area, café, beach bar, rides and lots of FREE activities for all the family.   Robin Hood Festival (4 – 10 August 2014) – Sherwood Forest – FREE admission - www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/robinhoodfestival Be merry with Robin Hood and celebrate Nottinghamshire’s internationally famous Robin Hood Festival’s 30th anniversary! It celebrates the life and times of the county’s most legendary son, Robin Hood, and provides fantastic live entertainment for visitors of all ages. Wander through the medieval village and meet strolling jousters and entertainers, discover medieval crafts and music, enjoy jousting contests and a falconry display and try your hand at archery in the forest made famous by Robin Hood. FREE entry – there is a £5 parking charge.   Southwell Music Festival (22 – 25 August 2014) – Southwell Minster & the Great Hall - www.southwellmusicfestival.com Throughout the August Bank Holiday Weekend, visit the pretty town of Southwell and enjoy musical delights at the annual, top-quality classical music festival. Southwell Music Festival is a celebration of classical music, with plenty of opportunities for local musicians to take part and aims to raise the profile of Southwell and the magnificent Southwell Minster. There will also be a concert commemorating the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.   Summer Nights (22 – 24 August 2014) – Wollaton Hall & Deer Park - summernightsfilm.co.uk/venues/wollaton-hall After a spectacular turn out in 2013, this summer Wollaton Park will be working in partnership with QUAD Cinema again and offer visitors an outdoor cinema experience. Gravity (12A), Grease (PG) and The Dark Night Rises (12A) will be screened in the scenic grounds of Wollaton Hall between 22 – 24 August. Wollaton Hall appears in The Dark Knight Rises as ‘Wayne Manor’, so it is not to be missed!   GB Archery Finals (30 – 31 August 2014) – Wollaton Hall & Deer Park – FREE admission - www.archerygb.org Archery GB is thrilled to be bringing archery back home to Nottingham again this summer, with this head-to-head archery competition taking place at historic Wollaton Hall. The event will be run in the same format as the Olympics/Paralympics, which proved extremely popular with spectators in London and those watching at home. There will also be the opportunity for visitors to ‘have a go’ at archery along with many other family activities during the day.   Heritage Open Days (11 – 14 September 2014) – Various locations throughout Nottinghamshire – FREE admission at certain venues - www.heritageopendays.org.uk Celebrate historic Nottinghamshire and take a rare glimpse into its past as historic buildings and visitor attractions once again open their doors to visitors as part of the Heritage Open Days.   Let us know what you're planning to do this summer in Nottinghamshire via our Twitter or Facebook page.