The 'prettiest Nottinghamshire town during winter' where you can watch a candlelit Christmas concert
The town is just a short drive from Nottingham
With just over three weeks to go until the big day, the festive season is in full swing.
For some people, the build up to Christmas Day is even more enjoyable than the day itself - and it’s easy to understand why.
Those few weeks before Christmas Day are packed with seasonal events, such as light switch-ons, markets and parties.
We all know about major Christmas events held locally such as Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland and the Wollaton Winter Light Trail, but it’s worth remembering that there are so many amazing places to visit spread right across the county.
Nottinghamshire’s beautiful towns and villages, for instance, take on a whole new dimension in the lead up to Christmas, with many hosting events that only locals know about.
With their cosy pubs and narrow streets, the county’s market towns are well worth having a mooch around in the lead up to Christmas.
Why Southwell is one of Nottinghamshire’s prettiest towns during Christmas
Just a 40-minute drive from Nottingham, Southwell is a town that seems made for exploring on crisp winter days.
Southwell’s high street is lined with independent shops, cosy cafés, and handsome architecture (more on that shortly).
This remarkable building - dating back to 1108 - is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in the country.
The Minster became the Cathedral Church for the newly created Diocese of Southwell in 1884, yet locals still lovingly call it by its original name.
If you’ve never stepped inside the Minster before, Christmastime is the perfect time to do so.
On Saturday, December 13, the church will host two candle-lit musical performances featuring spectacular West End singers.
Described as “the ultimate Christmas experience”, the Christmas by Candlelight performances will see classic festive hits sung in a unique way.
Set against the backdrop of more than 900 years of history, the performances are guaranteed to get the audience in the Christmas spirit.
Southwell’s Christmas lights were switched on in late November, with the town centre now laden with pretty installations in the lead up to Christmas.
When the chill sets in, there are plenty of places in Southwell to warm up. The Admiral Rodney on King Street is a popular spot for a hearty Sunday roast or comforting pub classics.
So, if you’ve got an afternoon to kill over the next couple of weeks, consider visiting Southwell: one of Nottinghamshire’s prettiest Christmas towns.