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Nottingham is one of the best places to travel on a literary themed break. The city became a UNESCO City of Literature in December 2015 and is renowned for impressive literary heritage, nurturing creative community and immersive literary venues. Many famous authors have called Nottinghamshire home over the centuries – from ‘mad, bad and dangerous to know’ romantic poet Lord Byron to controversial author D.H. Lawrence, Alan Sillitoe, J.M. Barrie and Graham Greene.
Stay in Byron’s Backyard
Book a break at the Gardener’s Cottage in the beautiful grounds of Newstead Abbey, the home of romantic poet Lord Byron. This self-catering cottage is the original Gardener’s Cottage, a charming Grade II listed building overlooking the Rose Garden and refurbished to a very high standard.
Visit the ancestral home of Lord Byron and his final resting place
Newstead Abbey is the ancestral home of Lord Byron, on the outskirts of Nottingham. Set in 300 acres of landscaped grounds with numerous themed gardens including a Walled Garden, French Garden and hidden Japanese Garden, the abbey dates back to the 12th Century.
The abbey is open every weekend for visits, and the grounds are open daily, or take part in one of the many regular events to learn more about Byron’s life at Newstead Abbey.
Just a 15-minute drive away is St Mary Magdalene's Church in Hucknall, the final resting place of Lord Byron and his famous daughter, mathematician Ada Lovelace. Take part in the fantastic self-guided tours of the church, where you can find out about Byron’s life and loves, see statues and artefacts celebrating the poet, and hear readings of his poetry.
Over 200 years of Bromley House Library
Tucked away on one of Nottingham’s busiest streets behind a discreet door you’ll find one of the city’s best kept secrets – Bromley House Library, a historic subscription library which celebrates 200 years in 2016, set within a Georgian building.
With over 40,000 volumes on everything from fiction and theology to natural history and French literature, the earliest book in the collection was published in the 16th Century. Bromley House Library is also home to a secret city-centre garden. To enjoy the beautiful library, take part in one of the FREE tours (booking in advance required).
Discover D.H. Lawrence country
D.H. Lawrence was brought up in the small mining community of Eastwood, and many locations in the area inspired the settings for his famous, and often controversial, novels. Pay a visit to the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum, where you can see his family home, a snapshot of what life was like for the Lawrence family. Follow the Blue Line Trail, a self-guided walk in the area, which takes in many of his novels settings, such as Moorgreen Reservoir, a pretty and melancholic stretch of water which appears in many of Lawrence’s novels, but under different names.
The nearby Teversal Manor is also said to be the model for Wragby Hall, the home of the Chatterleys in D.H. Lawrence’s most famous novel, Lady Chatterley’s Lover.
Find Neverland
The Arboretum just outside Nottingham’s city centre is said to be the inspiration behind J.M. Barrie’s classic children’s tale Peter Pan. Barrie worked on the Nottingham Journal from 1883 to 1884 and the park, which features a Victorian circular aviary, Chinese bell tower, lake and bandstand, could have formed the basis for Neverland. Why not take a stroll around this beautiful park and let your imagination run wild?
There are over 800 trees to discover, some of which are from the original collection planted in the 19th century, and enough winding paths and open spaces in which to truly escape the hustle and bustle of the city. On Pelham St in Nottingham, you’ll find a plaque marking the place where Barrie lived while in Nottingham.
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Robin Hood
Hear tales of Nottingham’s most famous literary legend, Robin Hood, on a Robin Hood Town Tour and enjoy exploring some locations from the Robin Hood legends, including St Mary's Church and the National Justice Museum in Nottingham City Centre, where he is rumoured to have been kept prisoner... before escaping!
You can also read the legends of Robin Hood yourself here. Find out more about Nottingham’s guided tours and walking trails here.
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Catch an original play at a Nottingham theatre
Nottingham has a thriving theatre scene, with new locally-written, produced and directed productions regularly premiering in the city. The Nottingham Playhouse is renowned for its creative programme, and is a must-visit to see Nottingham playwriting at its best. Brimming with history, the Theatre Royal is not only a city centre landmark but also one of the most beautiful Victorian theatres in Britain.
For more theatres in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and information on upcoming shows, click here.
2024 marks 200 years since Lord Byron’s passing. Here in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire we are celebrating his life and legacy with a host of events and activities taking place throughout the year. Please click here for more details.
Related
Stay in our Gardener’s Cottage at Newstead Abbey and you’ll be walking in the footsteps of the classical romantic Poet, Byron and enjoying the same stunning park vistas and surrounding country
A beautiful historic house set in a glorious landscape of gardens and parkland within the heart of Nottinghamshire.
Hucknall is a town to the north of Nottingham and is famous for it's industrial links to the Nottinghamshire coal mining heritage.
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.
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.
A historic, beautifully maintained park that is home to an important collection of over 800 trees, award winning Nottingham Arboetum is Nottingham's oldest public park and the closest park to the city centre.
Now is your chance to see the sights, hear the stories and explore this cultural capital with Robin Hood as your tour guide to Nottingham.
t Mary’s Church – Grade 1 Listed and the largest medieval building in the city of Nottingham - is an iconic example of Nottingham’s prosperity during the 15th century. Its magnificent architecture - massive tower, slender columns, huge windows and alabaster monuments – testifies to the wealth poured into its construction by the guilds, merchants, and gentry of Nottingham society.
Meet amazing, costumed characters from Nottingham's history in our Grade II* listed, Shire Hall. Explore the Victorian Courtroom, Georgian gaol, and ancient cells - all spread over five fascinating floors.
With over half a million visitors every year, the Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Nottingham are two of the UK's most successful touring venues, leading the way for arts and entertainment in the East Midlands region.
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