Real or fictitious, Robin Hood is definitely Nottinghamshire's most famous son. And Nottinghamshire doesn't do anything to clear up this debate, visitors will find all sorts of Merry Men related sights and attractions outside of Sherwood Forest, in amongst Nottinghamshire’s other beautiful green woods and vales. Nottinghamshire also has numerous genuine historic treasures, among them the castle of Nottingham, in the region’s lively hub. Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Nottingham can be found close to Sherwood, in central Nottingham, or in a collection of pretty Midlands villages, and range from Michelin-starred restaurants with rooms, to simple city break hotels and atmospheric pubs with rooms.

If you’re visiting Nottinghamshire for Robin Hood related fun, then Sherwood is definitely your pin in the map. Whatever you feel about the man in green, Sherwood is a spectacular sight, an ancient forest, surrounding the pretty village of Edwinstowe. Within the forest is the Major Oak, a real, and rather magical tree, between 800 and a thousand years old, and said to mark Robin’s hideout. There are numerous Robin Hood festivals held in the forest each year, culminating in one lasting through much of August, where you can see jousting, medieval crafting and smithing, hear storytelling and music, and have all sorts of Merry fun.

If you’re planning to stay in Nottingham, we recommend visiting the castle, and the tunnels underneath it, which the castle's inhabitants needed for their daring escapes. Nottingham is also home to one of the pubs claiming to be England's oldest, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Inn, off Maid Marian Way in Brewhouse Yard, which is also where some of the tunnels from the castle come out. This pub is at least 800 years old. Outside of Nottingham, the county has a number of very lovely stately homes, including Lord Byron's Newstead Abbey and architecturally fascinating Wollaton Hall.

This county is a busy destination for business as well as leisure travellers. So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Nottinghamshire (especially the smaller ones), get organised and book ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Nottinghamshire

For a Rural Escape

• Langar Hall is a mildly eccentric, but quite magical apricot coloured Georgian stately home in the beautiful green Vale of Belvoir. It has been in the family of the current owner since 1860, and it's been gradually turned into a really charming, family friendly, 12 room hotel. Add to this great food and stunning grounds and what more could you need?
• Converted from a Georgian-built rectory, Glebe House, Nottinghamshire is now a very pleasant B&B set on beautifully sprawling grounds. There are just four guest rooms, the most romantic with four-poster beds, and all of them are uniquely decorated in keeping with the historic feel of the home. Expect patterned wallpaper, antiques with graceful ankles, a piano in the salon, and a charming dining room.

For a City Break

• Heritage Mews is another stylishly comfortable self-catering option, this time a collection of 12 studios and one bedroom apartments in the Lace Market district of Nottingham. Even the smallest studios have their own kitchenettes, and luxurious touches, and some of the one bedroom apartments would work for families. Some apartments even have outdoor space.
• Also in the same area, the Lace Market Hotel is a sophisticated, romantic choice, with a range of 42 rooms and suites, all uniquely decorated and designed, and offering colour and space. The hotel restaurant is an award winner, but there’s also a more relaxed pub, and a chic cocktail bar.
• Centrally located for Nottingham, the Mercure Nottingham is a boutique-style hotel with a friendly, eclectic atmosphere, and a good range of rooms and suites — 76 in all. Expect statement wallpaper and furniture, and a retro-style that includes banker’s lamps and metal boxes. There’s a hip bar, and two restaurants, and you’re close to many more and great nightlife.
• Hart's Hotel is just outside of the centre of Nottingham, in the "parks" area, close to the castle and the university, but you’re just a short walk from the busier part of town. There are just 32 rooms, all smartly decorated in a rather masculine style, with great prints on the walls — our favourites have private terraces. The hotel has a leafy garden and courtyard too. The restaurant serves a daily changing menu to a strong local following.

Best Restaurants and Pubs-with-Rooms

• Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms is a two Michelin-starred restaurant, with just seven, rather moodily decorated rooms and suites. The restaurant serves a seven, or ten course menu, with a focus on organic, local produce, some produced as locally as the hotel garden. The decor riffs on local stone and natural materials. Very smart.
• Retford’s Ye Olde Bell has been a convivial coaching house since the 17th century, though now its stables have been converted into additional rooms and it’s swelled to 59 rooms and suites in all. The atmospheric pub and restaurant has gone a bit upmarket, and there’s also a rather fancy onsite spa.

For Golfers

• The Residence at The Nottinghamshire is a collection of 18 rooms and suites, on the edge of a beautifully maintained, 340 acre golf course and country club. The rooms and suites offer classic hotel decor, with golf course views, and there’s a spacious country club style restaurant and bar, with larger reception spaces for weddings and events.

For Great Value

• The Mour Hotel is a sleek, city-style option in the Sherwood Business Park, which is in Newstead Village, between Nottingham and Mansfield. This looks and feels very ‘business hotel’, but in the best possible sense of that phrase, with chic, but simple detail, interesting contemporary art and fantastic facilities.

Best B&Bs

• Willoughby House is a traditional village home, in pretty Norwell, turned into a characterful collection of five B&B rooms. Each has been decorated uniquely, with note taken of the house’s original beams, fireplaces, and other features. Expect chintz and antiques, and indulgent home-made breakfasts.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• The closest major international airport to Nottinghamshire is East Midlands, just half an hour south of Nottinham. Birmingham Airport is close, about an hour away by car or taxi, or an hour and 45 minutes by bus, Manchester Airport is around an hour and a half from Nottingham by car or taxi, or around three hours by train, or London Luton Airport is an hour and 45 minutes by car or taxi, or two and a half hours away by train. If you’re travelling from London, you’re two and a half hours away by car or taxi, or and hour and 45 minutes by train from St. Pancras Station.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• If you’re trying to plan your visit to Nottinghamshire to correspond with nice weather, the best time to visit will be between April and August, when you’re likely to get the most sunshine and the warmest days. There are also some great summer festivals held in Nottinghamshire, the headliners being those in Sherwood Forest. As with most of the UK, Nottinghamshire can get rain at any moment, so pack your waterproofs whenever you’re planning to visit.

Still not sure?

• Refine your search to the best places to stay in Nottingham
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• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.