Villages in Nottinghamshire: from the Trent valley to Sherwood Forest
Villages in Nottinghamshire are more varied than the county's size might suggest, their character shaped by a river, a forest and the coal beneath the ground. The county covers about 2,160 square kilometres, so in a relatively small area, farmland gives way to the remains of an ancient forest and landscapes shaped by industry. Where do these differences come from, and what should you look out for in each part of the county? This guide explores them in turn, beginning in the Trent valley, continuing through Sherwood Forest and finishing in the north.
How do the villages fit into the county?
Nottinghamshire is a single county, but it is divided administratively into eight local authority areas, including Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood, Rushcliffe and Mansfield. Those boundaries do not always reflect the lie of the land. When describing a village, the surrounding landscape often tells you more than its place within an administrative area.
For this guide, we divide the county into three parts: the Trent valley, Sherwood Forest, and the north with its former mining villages. Each has a distinct landscape that gives its villages a different setting. This division provides a framework for the guide, allowing us to describe the villages of Nottinghamshire without relying on guesswork. The sections below explore each part in turn, before we consider how an understanding of these landscapes can help you plan a journey through the county.
The Trent valley: a wide river and open fields
The River Trent runs through a broad valley that crosses the county from south-west to north-east. The eastern part of the valley is largely farmland, making it a good place to explore the county's agricultural landscape. Here, fields form the backdrop to the villages, while the river provides a useful reference point as you travel. Following the Trent also helps you get your bearings within the wider county: Sherwood Forest lies north of the river, and the county's northern reaches sit on the Humberhead Levels. The valley is therefore a good starting point, giving you a clear mental map of the county from the outset.
Sherwood Forest: what remains of ancient oak woodland
North of the Trent, in the heart of the county, lies Sherwood Forest, a surviving stretch of ancient oak woodland. The villages nearby have a very different setting from those in the farming country of the eastern valley. Here, what remains of the old forest shapes their surroundings. The forest also lends its name to the local authority area of Newark and Sherwood, reflecting its importance to the county. Its central position makes it a natural starting point for journeys north or back towards the Trent valley. If you have already explored the villages of the agricultural east, you will notice the change in scenery as soon as you drive out of the valley towards the forest.
Former mining villages: traces of the collieries in the north
The north of the county lies on the Humberhead Levels, where the main coal measures are found. The seams are up to 900 metres thick, and deep collieries were opened in the 18th and 19th centuries. None of the mines operates today, which is why the settlements here are described as former mining villages.
In the north-west of the county, a belt of former mining settlements stretches towards the Yorkshire boundary. This is the county's third distinct landscape. Without visiting individual villages, it is difficult to generalise about their buildings. A more reliable way to describe them is through what we know: their lowland setting, the coal measures beneath them and the deep collieries of the 18th and 19th centuries. The story does not end with the closure of the mines, as this industrial heritage continues to shape the identity of the county's north. These villages are places where you can explore the area's working past.
What else is worth seeing in the county?
Alongside its countryside, Nottinghamshire has historic buildings that help define its character. Southwell Minster is an example of the austere Romanesque style, also known as Norman. Work on the nave began after 1120, and the church was completed around 1150, placing its completion in the middle of the 12th century.
Another landmark is Newstead, the ancestral home of the poet Lord Byron, who sold the estate in 1818. Although known as an abbey, it was actually a priory. This detail is a reminder that a place's name does not always reflect its history, and that such distinctions are worth checking before you set off.
How to read the villages of Nottinghamshire on a journey
Start by identifying the landscape around you. Farmland dominates along the Trent, Sherwood Forest occupies the centre, and former mining settlements stretch across the north. Keeping these three areas in mind helps you plan a day without combining very different landscapes along a single route. You might spend one day in the Trent valley, taking in its farmland views, then devote the next to the area around Sherwood Forest. Another day could take you north to explore the traces of the collieries. Landmarks such as Southwell Minster and Newstead can be worked into your itinerary as additional stops.
The villages of Nottinghamshire have no single, uniform character, and that variety is their greatest strength. Together, the Trent valley, Sherwood Forest and the former mining villages tell the county's story. We invite you to explore them in turn, getting to know each part as you move from one landscape to the next.