Nottingham

My pleasure.

There are many interesting things to do in Nottingham and one thing NOT to do. The thing NOT to do is visit 'The Tales of Robin Hood' on Maid Marion Way - it's a really tacky tourist rip-off.

Now the interesting bits. Firstly the whole of Nottingham is built on sandstone rock. Historically we are cave dwellers. It was very easy to carve a cave out of the soft sandstone and that's where poor people lived ( the last familly to leave the 'scrapings' as they were called left in 1931 ). A visit to the historic Nottingham caves is an absolute must. So is a guided tour of our halls of justice. Kids love to see the grusome methods of punishment that were used to keep my forefathers on the straight and narrow.

No visit to Nottingham is complete without at least a walk past the historic pubs. Two are found on Maid Marion Way: The Salutation and The Royal Children. The first dates from the times of the crusades and the second was the home of Charles II's children during the civil war ( Roundheads vs Cavaliers not Union vs Confederacy ). The historic 'Old Market Square' is home to 'The Bell' a mundane name for a very wonderful and historic pub that dates back to 1285, it's also a great place to have a drink and some reasonably priced delicious food. No visit to Nottingham is complete without a visit to 'Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem' - the oldest pub in England and carved out of the living rock of the city.

Of course you have to head north into Sherwood Forest and go to the visitor centre at Edwinstowe. This is where you should buy all the Robin Hood souveniers. It's a good day out and the prices are fair and the gifts you buy are not overpriced.

A visit to Lord Byron's stately home of Newstead Abbey is just around the corner.

Belvoir Castle - the home of the Duke of Rutland is an hour away.

Chatsworth house - the home of the Duke of Devonshire is only an hour away.

Woolaton Hall - a spectacular stately home is ten minutes bus ride away.

There's a lot of good Robin Hood heritage around the city ( don't mention the fact that Robin Hood NEVER existed, he's been our major source of income for over a hundred years ).

You have to take a 'Ghost Walk' through the Lace Market in the evening. Kids love the genuinely spooky atmosphere of the place.

I estimate that there is plenty to see and do in Nottingham to cover at least four days - one of which should be spent in Sherwood Forest.

If you do visit Nottingham - give me a yell and my 10 year old granddaughter and I will show you around.

When I was in Nottingham last fall, I stopped for a pint and a bite at the Olde Trip to Jerusalem (title of a rollicking good Mekons song, by the way.) I figured I'd ask for advice on what beer to order, so I approached two elderly women who were sipping their half pints. As a "mature" single woman myself, I find that chats with Old Age Pensioners often result in a fabulous "back door" experience.Not only did they invite me to share their table, but they went on to regale me with stories of growing up in Nottingham during the war. Apparently there were American servicemen stationed in the area who took advantage of some of the interior cave rooms in the Olde Trip for some private canoodling with the local gals. "It was as much as a girl's reputation was worth to be seen entering the Olde Trip in those days," one of them wistfully said. They went on to take me back (past "Private-No Entry" signs!) into the secret cave rooms in question. Talk about a literal "back door" experience...

Jer, that sounds like it was alot of fun! Too bad that wouldn't have been a good thing for his ears, but great fun none the less.

Al, thanks for the wonderful invite, we just may show up on your "doorstep" sometime next year! It sounds like just the ticket for this boy!

Thanks again!