Your guide to enjoying a day out at Nottingham Castle

The perfect day out for everyone.

Updated on28th June 2021 at 12.30pm

The legends of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men have entertained generations for years, being retold through famous films, books and plays.

If you’d love to hear more about the tales and history of Nottingham and Robin Hood, a day out at Nottingham Castle is great for the whole family.

After a £30m refurbishment that’s taken three-years, Nottingham Castle has opened up to the public once again, making now the perfect time to visit.

Where is Nottingham Castle?

You’ll find Nottingham pretty much right in the centre of the UK in the East Midlands.

Nottingham has brilliant transport links, and there are plenty of ways you can get to Nottingham, no matter where you are in the UK.

By train

With the train station just a 10 minute walk from the castle, getting to Nottingham by train is a brilliant option. If walking is a struggle, you can also take the tram from the station into the centre of the city to Old Market Square where you’re just a 3 minute walk from the castle. There are also plenty of taxis you could take from the station to the castle too, costing just a few pounds.

Book your train tickets here

By bus

National Express offers regular buses to and from Nottingham from a range of cities in the UK and the bus station is located close to the train station.

Book bus tickets here

By car

If you’re travelling by car, Nottingham is really easy to get to from the M1. If you don’t fancy driving through the city centre, there are plenty of park and ride locations available that’ll take you to the castle.

You can find all the park and ride locations here

If you do want to drive as close to the castle as you can, there are a number of car parks in the city, with the closest being NCP St James Street Car Park (NG1 6EY).

What is there to do there?

There’s something to keep the whole family entertained at Nottingham Castle, here’s an itinerary we think you’ll enjoy if you’re travelling with the grandchildren.

Arrive in style - from late summer 2021, you’ll be able to hop aboard the Land Train, located just outside the castle walls. You’ll travel up Castle Road past the infamous statue of Robin Hood and through the Castle’s gates, up to the Ducal Palace entrance. The train leaves every 20 minutes.

Immerse yourselves in the world of Robin Hood - Start your day out by listening to the Robin Hood adventures, where you’ll hear the tales and myths that have been told for generations.

In this section of the castle, you can also have a go at fun digital games including archery and quarterstaff spar challenges as well as an adventure on the innovative interactive gaming tables. Honestly, this is as much fun for the grown ups as it is the children!

Learn more about the castle - when you’ve had a go at all of the games and fun on offer, head upstairs where you’ll learn a little more about the interesting history of Nottingham Castle.

Time for food - when you start to feel peckish there are a number of cafes to eat at in the castle. Alternatively, if it’s a nice day, there are plenty of places to enjoy a picnic in the castle grounds. If you’ve brought your grandchildren along for the day, they’ll love a play at Hood's hideout. This medieval themed adventure playground will provide hours of fun for children of all ages.

Check out what’s on - there are so many activities happening at the castle this summer. We highly recommend taking some time to explore the Paul Smith exhibition where you’ll learn more about his first shop in Nottingham, his personal collection of art and his career in fashion. Take a look at what’s on here. https://www.nottinghamcastle.org.uk/whats-on/

If you’d rather spend some more time outside, you can also try an outdoor family trail in the castle grounds including There’s Hero in the Green Hat – a race find the missing words in Robin’s ballad, or, Up Close with Nature where you’ll discover the natural world beneath your feet! All trails can be purchased from the Vistors Centre.

Explore the caves - to finish off your day, head underground to the remarkable caves that snake through Castle Rock. Under the castle, you’ll find dire dungeons to wondrous wine cellars.

When is Nottingham Castle open?

Opening times:

November – March

10:00 – 16:00

April & May

10:00 – 17:00

June – August

10:00 – 18:00

September & October

10:00 – 17:00

How much are tickets?

All children under five go free and they can also visit any areas of the castle for free too. In order to enter the castle, adults and children over 5 will need to purchase general admission tickets. To listen to the Robin Hood adventures and go on a cave tour, you’ll need to purchase separate tickets.

General admission

Adult - £13

Child (5-17) - £9.50

Concession: £12

Robin Hood Adventures

Adult: £3

Child (5-17): £2.50

Cave tour

Adult: £5

Child (5-17): £4

Book your tickets here

What age is Nottingham Castle suitable for?

It's a brilliant day out for grandparents and parents and also kids too, with plenty to see and do. Buggy’s, wheelchairs and prams are very much allowed, and there are buggy parks too. There are also plenty of toilets as well as lifts for disabled guests.

What else is there to do in Nottingham?

City of Caves

Did you know Nottingham has the UK's largest network of caves? Over 800 are hidden beneath its streets and your tots will love exploring even more of them at the City of Caves experience.

National Justice Museum

With amazing role-playing characters, there are plenty of fun, interactive activities for your little ones to explore and experience. They’ll be able to experience justice and the law like never before.

If you’re not Robin Hooded out, you might also enjoy these fun experiences in Nottinghamshire.

The Robin Hood Experience

This family-friendly attraction is located a stone's throw from Nottingham Castle and is an interactive, story-based tour over three floors. During your day, you will experience the sights, sounds and the smells of Medieval Nottingham meeting all the favourite characters along the way.

Sherwood Forest

If you fancy venturing further afield, Sherwood Forest is a must. It is known the world-over as the home of Robin Hood, and packed with stories, as well as the iconic Major Oak tree, holding status as a National Nature Reserve. Located in the village of Edwinstowe, the centre is around a 45 minute drive away from the centre of Nottingham and is easily accessible by car and bus from the city.