Another Bank-holiday is on the horizon and there are some truly brilliant things happening across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to enjoy. Including fun for the whole family, staycation ideas and date night plans, keep reading to see our top picks of things to do to from Friday 26th - Monday 29th May 2023, which include spa days and something to keep the little ones entertained.

If you’ll be using the long weekend to spend more time in the great outdoors we’ve got recommendations for perfect picnic spots below, or our website has loads of info on walking and cycling routes.

Browse our What’s On calendar for tons more events, check out our Things To Do section for Nottingham's top attractions, and remember we also have some suggested itineraries to help you see and do as much as possible.

Don’t forget - if you are out having a great time in the city or out in the county, you can use #LoveNotts to share the love, or tag us using @visitnotts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


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Spa Days

Unwind this Bank Holiday in the beautiful backdrop of Nottinghamshire. We boast some of the best Spas in the UK, including some based in the stunning scenery of Sherwood Forest. Spa Days are also the perfect treat to enjoy with a friend, relative or loved one, so why not spend a day in a calm, comfortable spa with that special someone and forget all the worries of the world!

Nottinghamshire offers a range of spas from the super modern and state of the art, to the more traditional and chic. Some of our top picks include Eden Hall Spa, set within the grounds of a beautiful listed mansion and the Urban Escape Spa (pictured), which is based in a convenient City Centre location in the 4 star Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Spa at Ye Olde Bell is located just off the A1! It has a thermal area that offers a collection of experiences like no other.

These experiences will invigorate, restore and liven your senses or simply help you relax and find your sense of place.


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Explore the Outdoors

It’s a beautiful time to get outside and explore Nottinghamshire’s natural surroundings, and the area is full of outdoor spaces to exercise and relax in. From rural walks out in the countryside to pretty city centre parks, you’ll find lots of places to enjoy spending time outdoors. If you’ll be exploring on two wheels there are plenty of cycle paths to choose from, from gentle canalside routes to challenging mountain bike paths through ancient woodland.

Or maybe you want to try a walking tour and see Nottingham on foot. We have a range of unique and fun tours, including free self-led trails or guided tours. We recommend the Nutty Nottingham Comedy Tour and the award winning Ezekial Bone's Robin Hood Tours of Nottingham. This is a fantastic way to learn about the history of Nottingham while getting active and enjoying the outdoors.

For more ideas and inspiration to enjoy Nottinghamshire’s great outdoors, click here.


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Best of British

Enjoy the best of British this Bank Holiday weekend and explore the unique history and culture of Nottinghamshire and the UK.

Starting with everyone’s favourite outlaw, why not walk in the footsteps of Robin Hood and pay a visit to Sherwood Forest (pictured) or wander around Edwinstowe? You can discover more about the legend here, or discover more rebels and pioneers of Nottinghamshire here.

We also have dedicated literary tours and trails for all of the bookworms out there. Explore the ancestral home of Lord Byron, the D.H. Lawrence birthplace museum and Nottingham Castle just to name a few. And finally, no trip to Nottingham would be complete without a tour of Bromley House Library - one of the few remaining subscription libraries in the country which houses nearly 50,000 books.

Of course, Nottinghamshire has some stunning and famous market towns. Explore Southwell and learn about its history (which includes the English Civil War and the Bramley Apple), stop off at the Ruddington Village Market, visit the grave of Lord Byron and Ada Lovelace in Hucknall or take in the beautiful views of Eastwood, which has inspired countless visitors and residents such as D.H. Lawrence.

For more surprising UK destinations and attractions that you can visit around Nottinghamshire, see our hidden gems blog and see how many you already know about!


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Unmissable Events

Nottinghamshire is hosting some big events this Spring Bank Holiday weekend, which are perfect for planning a UK Staycation or holiday around.

Dot to Dot Festival takes place on Sunday 28th May at various venues round Nottingham. Since starting in Nottingham in 2005 Dot To Dot Festival has established itself as the UK’s premier festival for unearthing the hottest new talent around, alongside established acts from all over the globe. The festival takes place in Manchester, Bristol, and Nottingham and has put acts such as The 1975, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Mumford & Sons, Florence + The Machine, Ed Sheeran and The XX on the map.

 Catch the Vitality Blast Cricket at Trent Bridge and catch Notts Outlaws v Derbyshire Falcons on Friday 26th May. An Outlaws line-up packed with international quality players like Alex Hales, Ben Duckett and Samit Patel will be looking to put on a show for spectators once again this year.

The Ibiza Orchestra return to Wollaton Park on Friday 26th May after one of their biggest events ever! This year they go bigger and better with some amazing new support acts, a brand new show from the incredible orchestra, bigger bars and more food vendors than ever before. You can expect to hear tracks created by incredible artists such as: 808 State, Massive Attack, Ian Van Dahl, Daft Punk, Robert Miles, Energy 52, Tiesto, Fatboy Slim, Prodigy, Candi Staton, Faithless and many more.


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Family Fun

There are tons of fun and family-friendly events to keep your little ones entertained this Spring Bank Holiday, including Ultimate Strongman at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham. The Channel 5 TV series is known as the toughest strength event on the planet, and will see 16 of Ireland's and Britain's best go head to head over a spectacular 3 day show. Champion Paul Smith will be aiming to defend his title, but it won’t be easy as two times champion Wales's Gavin Bilton is back to take revenge! This 3 day strength extravaganza will also showcase pre-show of UK's Strongest Woman. An incredible 8 strongwomen will perform mind blowing feats of strength, and the show will also feature other world record breaking challenges not to be missed. 

They're hosting a 1940s Weekend at Belvoir Castle on 29th May. Find yourself surrounded by the highlights of wartime Britain at our 1940s Weekend. There's something for all ages with classic car shows, dazzling swing bands, lively music performances and living history enactors. Explore the Castle's State Rooms and enjoy all of the British classics, including delectable afternoon tea.

For more family events and things to do, browse our What’s On calendar.


This blog was written by Katherine Taylor, Marketing Executive at Visit Nottinghamshire.

Related

Eden Hall Day Spa
Spa and Relaxation
Eden Hall

Whatever your pampering needs, Eden Hall in Elston Village, Nottinghamshire is the perfect, peaceful getaway.

Urban Escape
Retreat
Urban Escape | Nottingham

​​​​​​​Located in Nottingham's four-star Crowne Plaza Hotel, Urban Escape provides a bit of much-needed relaxation in the heart of the city. The luxury spa, which opened in 2014 following a £1.3million refurbishment, gives both hotel residents and non-residents the chance to unwind in the indoor heated swimming pool, steam room, ice station, gymnasium, relaxation room.

Spa at Ye Olde Bell
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Spa at Ye Olde Bell

Luxury Spa located just off the A1 on the border of 3 counties, Spa at Ye Olde Bell is easily accessible, yet feels a world away from everyday life.

Ezekial Bone's Robin Hood Tours of Nottingham
Tours & Tour Guides
Ezekial Bone Robin Hood | Visit Nottinghamshire

Ezekial Bone’s character-led heritage tours capture the spirit of Nottingham. Entertaining, educational and inspirational, Bone’s theatrical tours are based on historical fact and explore the best places to see in Nottingham. Ezekial Bone also leads the top tourist attraction ‘Robin Hood Town Tour.’

Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre & National Nature Reserve
Forest
Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre & National Nature Reserve

Home of Robin Hood and once part of a royal hunting forest, Sherwood Forest Country Park covers 450 acres and incorporates some truly ancient areas of native woodland.

D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum
Museum
D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum

D.H. Lawrence was born here, at 8a Victoria Street in 1885, the first of the Lawrence family’s four Eastwood homes. Today you can visit this authentically recreated miner’s cottage, birthplace of world renowned Nottinghamshire author, then explore the surrounding countryside, which inspired his work.

Bromley House Library
Historic Site
Bromley House Library

Bromley House Library, founded 1816, is a flourishing independent lending library situated in the centre of Nottingham, one of the few remaining subscription libraries in the country.

Ruddington Village Market
Fete / Fair
Ruddington Village Market

Award winning outdoor market with 70+ stall holders offering quality crafts, produce and provisions to take away.

Dot To Dot Festival 2024
Festival
Dot To Dot Festival

Dot To Dot Festival has continued to showcase the best new acts from around the world since starting in Nottingham in 2005.

Vitality Blast Cricket at Trent Bridge
Sporting Event
Vitality Blast Cricket at Trent Bridge

Head to Trent Bridge to support our Notts Outlaws during the 2023 T20 Vitality Blast.

Ibiza Orchestra
Festival
Ibiza Orchestra

The Ibiza Orchestra Experience returns to Nottingham!

Ultimate Strongman
Competition / Game
Ultimate Strongman

UK's Strongest Man comes to Motorpoint Arena for the first time over the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend 27th-29th May 2023.

1940s Weekend at Belvoir Castle
General Event
1940s Weekend at Belvoir Castle

Find yourself surrounded by the highlights of wartime Britain at Belvoir Castle's 1940s Weekend.

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