Nottingham Castle is a hotspot for tourists from across the country and the world. It brings 1,000 years of history and creativity to life. Furthermore it is rich of history given a civil war revolts took place here, rebels roused the masses in the name of social justice and more interestingly the castle was a fighting ground for Robin hood and the sheriff of Nottingham.

Construction

In 1068 William the conqueror ordered for the construction of the castle to defend against the Norman power over northern and Central England. Before being developed into a stone fortress the Castle was interestingly a wooden castle.

Royal connections from the Nottingham Castle

Nottingham Castle became a royal palace in 1330 and was used as the main residence for Queen Joan, the wife of Henry IV. In 1397 Richard II also ordered the deaths of the Earls of Arundel and Warwick at the castle. This was the commencement of the rebellion. In 1460 Edward of York was at the centre of attention at the castle with the castle became the scene of a bloody coup by him sneaking into the castle from the underground caves and capturing Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer. Edward of York later declared himself the king of Nottingham Castle.

Huge amounts of money were spent on the Castle by Edward of York which included the addition of comfortable apartments and a defensive six sided tower which later became known as Richard’s Tower.

The Castle was also the residence of King Richard III. Several family members were killed on the way to King Richard III claiming the throne. King Richard III also departed from the Castle for the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 from where he did not die due to his deatg

The castle then fell into the hands of the Tudors under the leadership of Henry who went onto become Henry VII, the first Tudor king. However during the reign of the Tudors the castle was not looked after and fell into decay.

Civil War and the Nottingham Castle

The British Civil war also started from the Nottingham Castle. In August 1642 war was declared on his own people by King Charles I. By 1649 Charles lost the war and it was ordered for the Castle to be demolished. In 1663 the Castle was purchased by the Duke of Newcastle to convert the site into a palace. The works completed in 1678. In 1831 the Castle was destroyed by blazing fires after the bill to extend the vote to more people and end corrupt voting was voted down.

The Nottingham Castle turns into a Museum

Works began in 1875 and completed in 1878 to transform the site into a museum of art. Nottingham castle was the first municipal of museum of art In the country.

Since 1978 it has served as a museum. The collections include examples of the Nottingham alabaster, salt-glazed stoneware and the face Nottingham lace. A £30 million upgrade was carried out to the Castle to help preserve the stories of Nottingham, Robin Hood and the Castle.

The galleries, exhibitions and rebel stories of the Castle

A visit to the Castle is very insightful which showcases the incredible history and stories of Nottingham as well as exploring the new galleries post the extensive renovation. Visitors can explore the caves beneath the castle and take part in adventures related to Robin Hood.

Interactive galleries tell the tales of Nottingham and take visitors back to the times of the Medieval Nottingham and Sherwood Forest.

Adventures and tours

Visitors can enjoy a fun and action packed day by taking part in either outdoor family trails, visiting the castle caves through an underground tour or simply enjoy the fascinating adventures of Robin Hood.

Interactive gaming and activities are available to cater for visitors of all age. Visitors can take part in firing digital longbows, explore the grounds through outdoor family trails and take part in a 25 minute tour exploring the underground caves and foundations of the Nottingham Castle.

Opening Times

It opens its doors to visitors from 12pm to 5pm on Mondays and 10am to 5pm on Tuesdays to Sundays from September -October 2022.

From November 2022 to March 2023 the opening times change to 12pm to 4pm on Monday and 10am-4pm from Tuesdays to Sundays.

Nottingham Castle is a hotspot for tourists from across the country and the world. It brings 1,000 years of history and creativity to life. Furthermore it is rich of history given a civil war revolts took place here, rebels roused the masses in the name of social justice and more interestingly the castle was a fighting ground for Robin hood and the sheriff of Nottingham.

Construction

In 1068 William the conqueror ordered for the construction of the castle to defend against the Norman power over northern and Central England. Before being developed into a stone fortress the Nottingham Castle was interestingly a wooden castle.

Royal connections from the Nottingham Castle

Nottingham Castle became a royal palace in 1330 and was used as the main residence for Queen Joan, the wife of Henry IV. In 1397 Richard II also ordered the deaths of the Earls of Arundel and Warwick at the castle. This was the commencement of the rebellion. In 1460 Edward of York was at the centre of attention at the castle with the castle became the scene of a bloody coup by him sneaking into the castle from the underground caves and capturing Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer. Edward of York later declared himself the king of Nottingham Castle.

Huge amounts of money were spent on the Castle by Edward of York which included the addition of comfortable apartments and a defensive six sided tower which later became known as Richard’s Tower.

The Castle was also the residence of King Richard III. Several family members were killed on the way to King Richard III claiming the throne. King Richard III also departed from the Castle for the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 from where he did not die due to his death. The castle then fell into the hands of the Tudors under the leadership of Henry who went onto become Henry VII, the first Tudor king. However during the reign of the Tudors the castle was not looked after and fell into decay.

Civil War and the Nottingham Castle

The British Civil war also started from the Nottingham Castle. In August 1642 war was declared on his own people by King Charles I. By 1649 Charles lost the war and it was ordered for the Nottingham Castle to be demolished. In 1663 the Castle was purchased by the Duke of Newcastle to convert the site into a palace. The works completed in 1678. In 1831 the Nottingham Castle was destroyed by blazing fires after the bill to extend the vote to more people and end corrupt voting was voted down.

The Castle turns into a Museum

Works began in 1875 and completed in 1878 to transform the site into a museum of art. Nottingham castle was the first municipal of museum of art In the country.

Since 1978 it has served as a museum. The collections include examples of the Nottingham alabaster, salt-glazed stoneware and the face Nottingham lace. A £30 million upgrade was carried out to the Nottingham Castle to help preserve the stories of Nottingham, Robin Hood and the Castle.

The galleries, exhibitions and rebel stories of the Nottingham Castle

A visit to the Nottingham Castle is very insightful which showcases the incredible history and stories of Nottingham as well as exploring the new galleries post the extensive renovation. Visitors can explore the caves beneath the castle and take part in adventures related to Robin Hood.

Interactive galleries tell the tales of Nottingham and take visitors back to the times of the Medieval Nottingham and Sherwood Forest.

Adventures and tours

Visitors can enjoy a fun and action packed day by taking part in either outdoor family trails, visiting the castle caves through an underground tour or simply enjoy the fascinating adventures of Robin Hood.

Interactive gaming and activities are available to cater for visitors of all age. Visitors can take part in firing digital longbows, explore the grounds through outdoor family trails and take part in a 25 minute tour exploring the underground caves and foundations of the Nottingham Castle.

Opening Times

It opens its doors to visitors from 12pm to 5pm on Mondays and 10am to 5pm on Tuesdays to Sundays from September -October 2022.

From November 2022 to March 2023 the opening times change to 12pm to 4pm on Monday and 10am-4pm from Tuesdays to Sundays.

Accessibility

It is located in the heart of Nottingham city Centre. The castle is walking distance from the train station and five minutes’ walk from the Old Market Square. With the Nottingham Castle located centrally it is easily accessible by public transport.

Nottingham Castle is suitable for all types of visitors and is wheelchair friendly, has changing places and toilets and welcomes support dogs.

If you are visiting the Nottingham Castle you may be interested in also visiting the National Justice Museum which is approximately 2 miles away from the Nottingham Castle.

Our family lawyers in Nottingham are situated less than a mile away from Nottingham Castle. Contact us today for a free initial consultation on 0115 666 3800. We are located at 2 King Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AS.

You can find driving directions below from our office below: