Bassetlaw

Home to the established market towns of Worksop and Retford, Bassetlaw is known for its farmers' markets and local produce. Retford is one of the oldest boroughs in the country and can be found in the 1086 Domesday Book. And on the approach to Worksop is the Priory, founded in 1103. Mr Straw’s House in Worksop is one of three National Trust properties in the county. Take a look at the life of the eccentric Straw family who lived there in the 1920s.

Nestled around Pilgrim Country are pretty villages such as Scrooby and Babworth where the adventures of William Brewster and William Bradford began. Pick up the Mayflower Trail and retrace the story of the pilgrims in Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Carved out of the Bassetlaw landscape is the Chesterfield Canal, which meets the rivers Idle and the Trent at West Stockwith. The Trent extends throughout Nottinghamshire with many beautiful villages and towns along the way. One of these is Tuxford. Here you’ll come across a fully operating grain mill supplying flour to local bakers and accommodation providers.

A couple of miles from Worksop is Creswell Crags with its Ice Age gorge - a national treasure and world heritage site. Walk through the limestone gorge to discover Robin Hood’s secret cave.

If you’re into fine art, handmade jewellery or ceramics then make a stop at the nearby Harley Gallery. Built in 1994 on the site of a former Victorian Gasworks, the award winning gallery houses the studios of 30 local artists and producers.  Nearby is the Dukeries Garden Centre, well known as one of the best in the region.

Head towards Sherwood Forest and you’ll come across Clumber Park on the way. A National Trust property, the former ducal estate is renowned for the longest avenue of lime trees in Europe and the impact is astounding. You can hire bicycles to get around the 3,800 acres of woodland. Each year Clumber Park hosts outdoor concerts, theatre and special events.