Interesting Facts

Fact 1

The biggest antique fair in Europe is held near Newark six times a year.

Fact 2

Laxton is the last village in Europe still practising the medieval ‘open field’ system of farming.

Fact 3

Some of the most important Ice Age finds in Britain were excavated at Creswell Crags near Worksop.

Fact 4

The gigantic Major Oak stands proud in Sherwood Forest, the legendary hideout of Robin Hood and his merry men.

Fact 5

Newstead Abbey was the ancestral home of Lord Byron and his remains now rest in Hucknall.

Fact 6

Mr Straw’s House in Worksop is a 1920s time capsule.

Fact 7

DH Lawrence, one of the most famous writers of the 20th century, was born and brought up in Eastwood.

Fact 8

Southwell is home to a 12th century Minster with outstanding medieval carvings.

Fact 9

Sutton-in-Ashfield town centre is home to Europe’s largest sun-dial.

Fact 10

King Charles I started the Civil War near Nottingham Castle, surrendered at Newark and was confined at Southwell.

Fact 11

Nottinghamshire covers just under 850 square miles.

Fact 12

Nottingham is one of eight core cities recognised by the Government.

Fact 13

The conurbation of Nottingham has a population of 621,000... and 20 million people live within two hours travelling distance of the city

Fact 14

Nottingham’s Goose Fair has existed since at least 1284, when it lasted eight days.

Fact 15

Nottinghamshire is home to the National Horological Institute, near Southwell.

Fact 16

The pioneering novel 'Saturday Night and Sunday Morning' was written by Alan Sillitoe and is based upon his life in Nottingham.

Fact 17

The Raleigh ‘Chopper’, now a design icon, was introduced by the Raleigh Company of Nottingham in 1969. It was re-launched in 2004.

Fact 18

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was born at Notintone Place, Sneinton in 1829 (there is a Memorial Centre there).

Fact 19

‘Bendigo’ the famous prize fighter of Victorian times, lived in Nottingham.  There is a tombstone in his memory, in the shape of a lion, in St Mary’s Cemetery, Bath Street, Sneinton.

Fact 20

The painter Dame Laura Knight, known for her pictures of circus performers, ballet dancers and paintings of women at wartime work, attended the Nottingham School of Art.

Fact 21

Nottinghamshire Archives (Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham) hold more than five miles of historical documents about the history of Nottingham dating back to the 12th century. They can all be viewed by the public.

Fact 22

The shy fifth Duke of Portland built a network of subterranean tunnels and rooms, including a library, chapel and ballroom all lit by gas, under Welbeck Abbey in the 19th century.

Fact 23

The most popular product produced by Nottingham’s famous Jesse Boot (of Boots The Chemist) was called Boots No Name Ointment.

Fact 24

Ibuprofen was discovered in Nottingham.

Fact 25

Queen Eleanor died in the village of Harby on the border of Notts and Lincs. In the beautiful new church there's a brass in the floor of the chancel bearing the inscription: ‘Here died Eleanor of Castile, Queen of England, Nov. 27th, A.D. 1290.’

Fact 26

In 1607 the founding Pilgrim Fathers left Bassetlaw to start their new life in Holland. It was 13 years later - in 1620 - when the Pilgrims finally reached Plymouth, USA.