Welcome to Southwell

'The Jewel in Nottinghamshire's Crown'

This charming, small market town has many delights to offer the visitor. It is rich in historical and architectural interest and makes a great day out for the family.

Explore the magnificient Southwell Minster with its unique pepper-pot spires which dominate the town.

Then stroll from there via one of Southwell's leafy lanes to another gem -

The National Trust Victorian Workhouse.

In 1968 Southwell was designated a Conservation Area. In the town you will find an impressive number of houses of historical and architectural merit. By following one of the Heritage or Town Trails, you can view the superb Georgian houses in the Prebendage near the Minster as well as the fine mixture of buildings around the Burgage. One such, Burgage Manor, was where the young Lord Byron lived between 1804-1807, socialising with the local gentry, joining in theatricals and playing cricket.

Meander from the Burgage to the shopping centre, King and Queen Streets and Bull Yard. Here you will find attractive shops, fine cafes and restaurants and inns of character. A striking black and white building, 'The Saracen's Head', dates back to the 15th century. Here was where King Charles I spent his last hours of freedom, before surrendering to the Scottish Army, which was based at nearby Kelham during the English Civil War.

Southwell is also the birthplace of the famous English cooking apple, 'the Bramley Seedling'. The apple was a chance seedling grown from some pips, planted in a garden down Church Street in the early 19th century. Local nurseryman, Henry Merryweather, was allowed to take cuttings and the world renowned Bramley Apple was in the making.

Explore the many green spaces aroung the town. Two of the Archbishop of York's medieval deer parks still survive, one close to the Minster, now the War Memorial Park, and the other at Norwood Park on the ourskirts of the town. In addition there are a number of excellent garden centres on the edge of town. For those keen on racing, the celebrated Southwell Racecourse is located just outside the town.

Further details about Southwell can be obtained from -

The Tourist Information Centre,

The Minster Centre, Church Street, Southwell NG25 0HD

Telephone 01636 819038

Opening hours:

10.00 to 4.30 Monday to Friday

10.00 to 4.00 Saturdays

1pm to 4pm Sundays (April to October only)