1. Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre and Country Park

Explore the original Sherwood Forest with waymarked walks, footpaths and bridleway. Visit the famous Major Oak. See the Robin Hood exhibition and the video studio. Browse the Robin Hood shop and heritage shop. There is an adventure playground for young children. 
A short walk across the field takes you to the Sherwood Forest Art and Craft Centre created in a Victorian coach house and stables. As well as browsing the different studios, you can watch various demonstrations as people work on their craft.

Car Park charges may apply

Visit the attractive and varied parkland at Rufford Abbey Country Park with a 25 acre lake and the remains of a Cistercian Abbey. Wander around Rufford's woodlands via a network of paths. The Formal Gardens form a series of nine different garden 'rooms' differing in style and mood. Next door is the Children's Play Village, a play landscape designed to inspire children's imagination for games. You can also visit the Craft Centre Gallery with exhibitions of contemporary arts and crafts.

Car Park charges may apply

Take your bikes to the Sherwood Pines Forest Park, the largest forest open to the public in the East Midlands, and enjoy the waymarked cycle routes and mountain bike trails. Children can play on the adventure play area and there are pleasant picnic spots to sit and relax.

Car park charges apply

Laxton Visitor Centre houses displays and a video explaining the medieval Open Field farming system still in operation in the village. Enjoy the footpaths around the village and the Open Fields and visit the best preserved motte and bailey castle in the country

The Dukes Wood nature reserve at Eakring is the location of the UK's first onshore oilfield. Some of the "nodding donkeys" have been restored and are sited around the wood adjacent to the nature trail. Eakring Meadow nature reserve, also at Eakring is one of the best remaining neutral grasslands in the county.

Enjoy the rich history of Newark Castle. Partially destroyed during the English Civil War, the remaining walls of the castle enclose the Victorian gardens, winners of the Green Flag award and location of many special events throughout the year including summer brass band concerts. You can find out more about the Castle and it's important place in the Civil War by visiting the Castle and Conflict Exhibition in the Gilstrap Heritage Centre.

Newark Millgate Museum housed in a Victorian warehouse has fascinating displays including streets, shops and rooms in a period setting. The Mezzanine Gallery in the museum is a venue for temporary exhibitions.
The town treasures are housed in Newark’s Georgian Town Hall, which includes the Mayor’s Parlour and elegant Assembly Room. Collections consist of civic plate, regalia, furniture and fine art and gifts.

Call in at the Tourist Information Centre at Newark and pick up one of the Newark Trails leaflets and explore the rich history of the town.
The Newark Civil War Trail is a short easy walk around the town centre that takes in many of the sites and buildings that relate to the Civil War period
The Newark medieval timber framed buildings trail passes by many of the town's most interesting timber framed buildings
The Newark malting and brewing trail visits many of the sites and buildings that relate to malting and brewing

Donations are welcome.

Enjoy the beautiful landscape of Thoresby Park as you visit Thoresby Courtyard. Browse the unique retail outlets and visit the working artists studios including the glass making at Ingrid Pears Hot Glass Studio. View the exhibitions in the Gallery and then take a pleasant stroll through the park and experience the relaxing environment of Thoresby.

For more information on these and more places to visit in the district, please browse our What to See pages and  the What to See and Do guide, which can be viewed interactively or downloaded in pdf format.