Nottinghamshire is one of the most historically-significant counties in the UK, so it’s little wonder that there are so many fascinating landmarks right here on our doorstep.
From the Major Oak to Newstead Abbey, these well-known landmarks receive thousands of visitors from far and wide every year.
But with the county covering 850 square-miles, it’s fair to say that there are certain places of interest that only locals know about.
Many such landmarks are completely ignored by visitors, despite often having intriguing backstories.
With spring almost upon us, now is the perfect time to get out there and discover the side to Nottinghamshire you never realised was there.
We’ve taken a look at 10 unusual Nottinghamshire landmarks that you should consider visiting during spring 2026:
1. Hemlock Stone
Standing at 28-feet-high, the Hemlock Stone cuts a dominant figure beside the busy A6002 near Stapleford and has been confusing motorists for decades. How the huge sandstone pillar came to be has caused huge debate over the centuries. In the Middle Ages it was claimed that the Devil threw the stone there from Castleton, Derbyshire, because the church bells annoyed him. Photo: Alan Murray Rust / Geograph
2. Archway House - Archway Rd, Kings Clipstone, Mansfield NG21 9HF
The suitably-named Archway House was built in 1842 upon the instruction of the Duke of Portland. These days the house is privately owned, but the adjacent footpath is open to the public. Photo: Neil Theasby
3. Newark Air Museum - Drove Ln, Winthorpe, Coddington, Newark NG24 2NY
Located at the former RAF Winthorpe airfield, just outside Newark, the museum is just under an hour’s drive from Nottingham. Since opening in 1973 the museum has accumulated more than 90 aircraft, including iconic former RAF jets such as the Avro Vulcan Bomber, Hawker Hunter, and de Havilland Tiger Moth. Around 50 aircraft are housed in two hangars, while others, including the famous Vulcan, are kept outside. Photo: Roland Turner
4. Felley Priory - Underwood, Nottingham NG16 5FJ
Built on the site of a 12th century monastery, Felley Priory is located just off the M1, near Kirby-in-Ashfield. The priory itself isn’t open to the public, but the main attraction very much is. To the rear of the impressive country house are 2.5 acres of lush gardens, described on the priory’s website as “one of Nottinghamshire’s best kept secrets”. Photo: Trevor Rickard