Guide To Nottingham Castle

Despite mixed opinions, the castle remains one of Nottingham’s most visited attractions, drawing history enthusiasts, families, and Robin Hood fans alike. From its Norman origins to its current incarnation as a museum and gallery, the site tells the story of over 1,000 years of fascinating British history.

This comprehensive guide cuts through the conflicting Nottingham Castle reviews to provide an honest insider’s perspective on what to expect, what’s worth seeing, and how to make the most of your visit to this fascinating historical landmark.

A Brief History of Nottingham Castle

Perched dramatically on a 130-foot sandstone bluff, Nottingham Castle has witnessed over a millennium of British history. Its strategic position made it a coveted fortress, royal residence, and eventually a cultural landmark that continues to fascinate visitors today.

From the Norman Conquest to the Civil War

The history of Nottingham Castle dates back to 1068, just two years after the Battle of Hastings, when William the Conqueror ordered the construction of a wooden motte-and-bailey structure. This initial fortress was transformed into a more complex stone castle with imposing walls during the reign of Henry II (1154-1189). Throughout the medieval period, Nottingham Castle became one of England’s most significant royal fortresses due to its strategic location near the River Trent.

The castle played a crucial role in several historical events. In 1194, King Richard I, also known as the Lionheart, returned from the Crusades to find that his brother John had seized control of the castle. Richard laid siege to the fortress, constructing a powerful trebuchet that forced the garrison to surrender before it could even be used. This incident marks the only time in the castle’s history that it fell to an attacking army.

Perhaps most notably, in August 1642, King Charles I chose Nottingham Castle as the location to raise his royal standard, which officially marked the beginning of the English Civil War. Ironically, shortly after Charles left, the castle fell into the hands of the Parliamentarians and remained under their control for the duration of the conflict. Following the execution of Charles I in 1649, Parliament ordered the medieval castle to be demolished in 1651 to prevent it from ever being used as a military stronghold again.

The Ducal Mansion and its transformation

In 1663, William Cavendish, the first Duke of Newcastle, purchased the ruined castle and began constructing an elegant Ducal Palace on the site. Completed in 1679, this Italianate mansion was considered one of England’s finest houses of its era.

However, the Ducal Mansion’s grandeur didn’t last. In 1831, during riots protesting the Duke of Newcastle’s opposition to the Reform Bill, angry demonstrators set fire to the building. The mansion remained a derelict shell until 1875, when architect Thomas Chambers Hine restored it. Subsequently, in 1878, the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) opened it as Nottingham Castle Museum – the first municipal art gallery in the UK outside London.

Robin Hood and the myths

No history of Nottingham Castle would be complete without mentioning its connection to Robin Hood. According to folklore, the castle was the domain of the Sheriff of Nottingham, Robin Hood’s legendary adversary.

However, the Robin Hood we know today differs significantly from early depictions. The first references to Robin Hood appear in ballads from the late 14th century, with William Langland mentioning “rymes of Robyn Hood” in his 1377 work “The Vision of Piers Plowman”. Initially, Robin wasn’t portrayed as particularly heroic – early ballads show the outlaws sometimes behaving brutally, even killing a child on one occasion.

Furthermore, the notion that Robin Hood robbed from the rich to give to the poor first appeared in writing in 1521, and the idea that he was a dispossessed nobleman (specifically the Earl of Huntington) wasn’t popularised until the late 16th century.

Today, visitors to Nottingham Castle can explore this rich history firsthand, with many Nottingham Castle reviews highlighting the site’s historical significance and its connection to Robin Hood as major draws. The castle has transformed from a military stronghold to a cultural landmark, preserving centuries of fascinating British history for future generations.

Top Things to See Inside the Castle

After an impressive £31 million revamp, Nottingham Castle now offers visitors an array of captivating attractions that bring history to life through modern technology and interactive displays. Inside the Ducal Palace, you’ll find exhibits that blend education with entertainment, creating experiences that consistently appear in Nottingham Castle reviews as highlights of any visit.

The Robin Hood Experience

Step through the Castle tunnel into Robin Hood Adventures and find yourself transported to medieval Nottingham. Here, visitors sit in a forest clearing to experience the legendary ballads of Robin Hood through innovative “in the round” storytelling screens. This immersive attraction is the first of its kind at Nottingham Castle, allowing guests to join Robin Hood’s band of Merry Men. For families, this consistently ranks as a must-see attraction, with one visitor noting in their review: “The kids loved this and enjoyed the interactive elements. The story screens in the middle of the room are also a great way of telling a story to a range of ages”.

Interactive games and simulations

The Robin Hood Adventures area truly stands out with its innovative mixed-reality games, which are located in dedicated coach-arch gaming spaces. Visitors can test their skills by participating in a virtual archery competition, where they can fire a longbow, or by sparring with Little John using a quarterstaff in a simulated forest setting. Additionally, interactive gaming tables provide insight into the dangers and daily life of 14th-century Nottingham. One family shared their experience in their Nottingham Castle reviews: “The interactive archery and quarterstaff games were a hit, and the kids spent a lot of time enjoying this section.”

Art galleries and pottery exhibits

The Art Gallery, often referred to as the ‘Long Gallery,’ dates back to the 1870s and serves as the centrepiece of what was originally known as the Midland Counties Art Museum. Created to inspire designers from Nottingham’s renowned lace industry, the gallery now showcases a captivating collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics, textiles, and jewellery. These works are organised around six broad themes that have influenced artists for centuries.

• Faces
• Scenic landscapes
• Nature up close
• Myth, power and beauty
• Colour and form
• Art of leisure

Another noteworthy exhibit is the Early Nottingham Craft Gallery, which showcases how local craftspeople creatively used alabaster stone and salt-glazed pottery from the fourteenth century to the 1800s. As one enchanted visitor wrote, “I was enchanted by the art gallery on the top level of the castle. I like the idea that the exhibition pieces were organised around a theme”.

The Rebels of Nottingham exhibition

The Rebellion Gallery is one of the most engaging attractions in the castle, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience three of Nottingham’s most rebellious and bloody episodes. This interactive gallery helps guests understand and explore the themes of protest and rebellion that have shaped Nottingham Castle into what it is today.

Complementing this experience is the seasonal “Little Rebels Indoor Trail,” where children can immerse themselves in Medieval Nottingham by searching the galleries for Robin Hood and his Merry Men. This £2 trail sheet activity, offered during the summer months, provides an entertaining way for younger visitors to connect with the castle’s rebellious history.

Throughout these exhibits, the castle prioritises visitor engagement. Even in the art gallery, paper and pencils are available for children to express their creativity while adults browse the collections.

Exploring the Castle Grounds

Beyond the castle walls lies a verdant oasis amidst Nottingham’s urban landscape, where visitors can relax, play, and soak in centuries of history. The castle grounds offer so much more than just scenic beauty—they provide an opportunity to experience the site from entirely different perspectives.

Panoramic views from the terrace

The Castle Terrace is one of Nottingham’s most scenic viewpoints, offering breathtaking panoramic views that stretch across the city’s eastern horizon. From this elevated location, visitors can see several landmarks, including the tower of St. Mary’s Church, Green’s Windmill, and Colwick Woods. Film enthusiasts may recognise this spot from the classic British film “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning,” which showcased these impressive vistas.

Many reviews of Nottingham Castle highlight the Terrace Café as a special treat, where visitors can enjoy seasonal menus while taking in the stunning cityscape. One reviewer remarked that it is “the perfect place to catch your breath after exploring the exhibits—the views alone are worth the admission price.”

Adventure playground for kids

Families with children consistently highlight Hood’s Hideout in their reviews of Nottingham Castle. This medieval-themed adventure playground offers hours of entertainment for youngsters aged 5 and older. Located within the castle’s old moat, this creative play area features imaginative wooden structures designed for climbing, sliding, jumping, and swinging.

Children can unleash their inner outlaws as they navigate through fortress-inspired equipment, bringing their imaginations to life in the legendary territory of Robin Hood. As one parent remarked in their review, “The playground kept our children entertained for nearly two hours—they loved pretending to be little outlaws hiding from the Sheriff!”

The historic gatehouse and gardens

The imposing gatehouse, built between 1251 and 1255 during the reign of Henry III, is the only surviving part of the original medieval fortress. Originally standing two stories tall, this impressive structure featured a thick timber door, a portcullis, and a drawbridge that spanned a deep moat. Although the moat has since been filled in to create the current entrance, the gatehouse remains a testament to the castle’s defensive importance.

The castle’s strategic location was intentionally chosen to command the bridge over the River Trent, which lies along the crucial route connecting London and York. Today, the surrounding gardens provide peaceful walkways where visitors can enjoy leisurely strolls in the heart of the city. An annual pass is also available for those wishing to access the grounds throughout the year.

Hidden Gems

Beneath the surface of this historic landmark lie Nottingham Castle’s true treasures—hidden spaces that tell tales far more intimate than those found in the main exhibitions. These lesser-known attractions often become the most memorable parts of a visit, as evidenced in countless Nottingham Castle reviews.

Cave tours and Mortimer’s Hole

Exploring the depths of Castle Rock leads you to Mortimer’s Hole, a steep, manmade tunnel featuring 127 steps that connects Brewhouse Yard to the castle terrace. This historic passage reopened in 2021 after a four-year restoration project, which included stabilising the sandstone, enhancing lighting, and adding handrails.

The 45-minute guided tour recounts how King Edward III used this tunnel in 1330 to capture his mother, Queen Isabella, and her lover, Roger Mortimer—an event that significantly impacted English history. The tour costs £8 per person, in addition to standard admission, and also discusses how the tunnel was used during the Civil War and World War II.

Legend has it that the ghost of Isabella, known as the ‘She Wolf of France,’ haunts the castle to this day. In fact, some visitors report hearing what they believe to be Mortimer’s shuffling footsteps echoing through the passage.

Brewhouse Yard and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

Situated at the foot of Castle Rock, Brewhouse Yard is one of Nottingham Castle’s hidden gems, featuring fascinating 17th-century cottages. This area tells the stories of the people who lived here over four centuries, particularly highlighting generations of textile makers, from the Wildboar dyers to the laceworkers known as the Websters.

Nearby is Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, a Grade II listed pub that claims to have been established in 1189. Built against Castle Rock, the pub connects to several caves that were reportedly used as the castle’s brewhouse. The oldest parts of the building date back to between 1650 and 1660, although a previous structure existed as far back as 1610.

Historically, Brewhouse Yard was considered “an extra-parochial liberty,” meaning it was outside the jurisdiction of the town and officially tax-free. This status may have contributed to the rise of brewing in the rock caves. As historian Robert Thoroton noted, it became “a great receptacle for fanatics, and other like people, who would not live conformably to the laws.”

Planning Your Visit

To prepare for a memorable day out at this historic landmark, practical planning makes all the difference. The insider tips below will help you optimise your visit based on actual Nottingham Castle reviews.

How to get there and parking tips

Nottingham Castle is located in the heart of the city centre, just a five-minute walk from Old Market Square and within easy reach of the train station. For those using public transport, many bus routes stop nearby, with the closest stop being at Brewhouse Yard Museum. It is important to note that on-site parking is not available, except for accessible spaces, which must be arranged in advance.

Accessibility and facilities

The castle provides comprehensive accessibility features, including:

• Lift access to all floors of the museum
• Wheelchairs available for use on site
• Accessible toilets in both the Museum & Gallery and the Visitor Centre
• A ‘Changing Places’ facility with a height-adjustable bench

Best times to visit

Weekday mornings typically offer a quieter experience, especially outside school holidays. Conversely, weekends see higher visitor numbers, particularly around midday.