It’s not very often we get heatwaves here in Nottinghamshire, so it’s fair to say that we need to make the most of them when they arrive.
If the forecasters are to be believed, this week will see the county experience its third heatwave of the summer, with highs of 31C predicted.
There are plenty of places to enjoy a sunny day in and around Nottinghamshire, from nature reserves to open-air swimming pools.
But let’s be honest, many of these well-known attractions become packed during times of nice weather, which inevitably impacts your experience.
For this reason it’s important to think outside the box and explore other places that not many other people know about.
Here are 17 quirky, cool and unusual places in Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands that you should consider visiting on a sunny day:
5. Bennerley Viaduct - Awsworth Rd, Ilkeston DE7 8PX
The Bennerley Viaduct, just outside Ilkeston, is one of those places you simply have to visit while the weather allows. Standing 20 metres high above the valley of the River Erewash, and a quarter of a mile long, the viaduct cuts a dominant figure in the landscape. Walkers and cyclists can use the viaduct to enjoy stunning views of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the surrounding countryside. | Harry Mitchell Photo: Harry Mitchell
6. Nottingham Castle Cave Tour - Lenton Rd, Nottingham NG1 6EL
The cave tours allow visitors to hear the tales beneath the depths of Nottingham Castle. Visitors will either be taken to Mortimer's Hole or King David's Dungeon. | NW Photo: NW
7. Park Tunnel - 33 Derby Rd, Nottingham NG1 5AW
Built in 1855, the Park Tunnel connects Derby Road to the Park Estate. Despite its prominent city centre location, this hidden gem isn't well-known. Walking through the tunnel is well worth it. | Chris J Wood Photo: Chris J Wood
8. Train sculpture in Woodthorpe Grange Park
On the face of it, Woodthorpe Grange Park, towards the north of the city, appears much like any of the city’s other green spaces. But in a small corner of the park, tucked under a bridge, is something rather bizarre. Amongst the greenery is a large sculpture depicting a red steam train emerging from a tunnel. The sculpture is a nod to when the Nottingham Suburban Railway ran under the park during the early 1900s. | Clem Rutter Photo: Clem Rutter