Nottingham
Robin Hood the Castle and Lace
Nottingham as everybody knows was home to the bad sheriff of Nottingham and the hero Robin Hood. Exactly who he was still remains a mystery despite research by scholars and historians.
A visit to the castle is a must there has been a Castle on the site above the town for nearly 900 years. After visiting the Castle have a drink in the ancient Inn, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, which sits under the castle walls. The Inn is reputed to be the oldest in England. Legend has it the Knights Templar would meet here before setting off to the Holy Land. This amazing Inn has rooms carved into the castle rock.
Nottingham has played a role in several historical events, Edward III lived here and Edward IV proclaimed himself King here, Richard the third set out from the Castle for Bosworth Field.
Charles I raised the standard here at the start of the Civil War and rallied only 300 men to his cause. During the Civil War, the Castle was held by the parliamentarians and after the war; it was destroyed by order of the Parliament.
The Duke of Newcastle bought the site and built the Mansion house that stands on it today but during a reform bill riot townspeople set fire to it. The council now owns the building and it houses a museum and art gallery.
Nottingham is also famous for its lace and was once a major manufacturer.In 1769, Richard Arkwright set up his first spinning mill using his spinning frame, John Hargreaves introduced his spinning jenny in 1770 and in 1809, a lacemaking machine invented by John Heathcote of Loughborough arrived.
The introduction of all these machines put an end to the cottage industry that had existed for years resulting in a revolt and the Luddites where born they destroyed machines that threatened their livelihood. The Luddites as they are known were led by Ned Lud it is thought that he was probably an imaginary character.
Nottingham is also famous in other areas of manufacture John player opened a cigarette making plant in 1877, a chemist opened a shop in Goosegate and 90 years later the Boots brand is known all over England. Nottingham was also home to the famous cycle brand of Raleigh, which were manufactured here.
In the sporting world, Nottingham can also claim a few firsts; it has three of the oldest sporting clubs in Britain.
Trent Bridge Cricket ground was opened in 1838; Notts County football club established in 1862 and is the oldest football league club in England, Nottingham Forest football club was established in 1865.
Activities in Nottingham
Abbeys
Newstead Abbey - Newstead Abbey
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