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If you’re looking for something to do with the family this school holiday or just something special to do during the summer, take a look at our list of heritage events running in the county this August:

Every weekend of August: Head to Sherwood Forest for the special annual Robin Hood Festival scheduled for every weekend of August. Each weekend features a different themed event: ‘Knights Ride Back into Sherwood’ (3rd and 4th August), ‘Fantasy in the Greenwood’ (10th and 11th August), ‘Inspiring Wildlife’ (17th and 18th August), and ‘The Outlaws’ Return and Nottinghamshire Day Festival’ (24th, 25th and 26th August). Entertainment includes ‘displays of jousting on horseback and medieval hand-to-hand combat, archery, historical re-enactment, music, comedy, children’s entertainment and much, much more’. Please be aware there is a parking charge of £15. For more information on the festival weekend events, click here.

Throughout August: ‘The D.H. Lawrence Festival is coming very soon with a huge variety of events across heritage, arts and culture, music and literature and more’ at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum as well as other locations across Eastwood and Broxtowe. For the full festival information, click here.

1st – 3rd August: Creswell Crags is hosting a variety of prehistoric workshops which gives you the opportunity to learn and practice a range of techniques used to manipulate natural material once practiced by our prehistoric ancestors with professional archaeologists. Tickets cost £95 per person. Here is the full list of workshops:

• 1st August: ‘Discover the ancient use of textiles through an exploration of techniques and discussion with experimental archaeologist, Sally Pointer. You will also make an antler needle (from naturally shed antler) using flint tools to take home’. Book your place on the Introduction to Prehistoric Textiles Workshop here.
• 1st August: ‘Create your own Stone Age jewellery using a range of techniques that would have been available to makers over 10,000 years ago’. You’ll begin with an introductory talk into personal ornamentation in the Stone Age. Next, take a closer look at what artefacts have been found in Britain. Then, you’ll doing some experiential archaeology, working with stone age tools to discover how these artefacts would have been made to create jewellery of your own to take home. Book your place on the Prehistoric Jewellery Making Workshop here.
• 1st and 3rd August: ‘Discover the art of the oldest craft in the world: Flintknapping. The aim of the day will be for attendees to go home with a variety of different stone tools they have made, new flintknapping skills and a new appreciation for prehistoric technology.’ Book your place on the Flintknapping Workshop here.
• 2nd August: ‘Bone and antler has been used from the start of prehistory up to the modern day for making tools and ornamentation. People in prehistory had a close relationship with the animals these resources came from, what does that tell us about the past? There is a huge selection of prehistoric objects including harpoons, needles, pins, spear points and fish hooks to name a few - which will you choose? Your tools to make these replicas will include sandstone files and flint tools, just like in the Stone Age’. Book your place on the Bone and Antler Carving Workshop here.
• 3rd August: ‘Explore the evidence for nets in prehistory, compare ancient and modern tools, and learn how to set up a rectangular or round net before starting work on a natural fibre net bag to take home with you’. Book your place on the Net Making Workshop here.

3rd August: Southwell Minster has ‘teamed up Southwell Workhouse and the Town Council to bring you a Family Fun Day in celebration of 140 years since becoming a Cathedral town. There will be a Victorian theme throughout, with costumed characters to meet, tower tours, games, crafts and activities provided by the Minster team and Southwell Workhouse. The local shops and businesses are getting involved with a shops trail through the town, and we hope it will be an anniversary for everyone to enjoy’. No booking required and entrance to the Cathedral is free (Attendance on the Tower Tours requires booking, click here). For more information, visit the event page here.

15th August: At the National Holocaust Centre and Museum, ‘join Jonathan Smith as he offers a talk on his extensive collection of vintage postcards, pre- and post-Holocaust.’ Contemporary postcards showed ‘images of diverse and settled Jewish communities across Europe and the world. Postcards also show these in both prosperous or poverty-stricken detail.’ Please note that you will require both an admission and an event ticket (event tickets are £10 for adults). Not suitable for children under 14. Book your place here.

Above: Flint Knapping. (By Tonto National Monument - Flint-knapping Demonstration, CC BY 2.0)

Heritage sites hosting kids activities in the summer holidays:

From 27th July to 1st September: ‘Enjoy a range of events and activities for a great day out at Newstead Abbey and Gardens’. Entry into the historic house will be free for kids this summer and events include pirate days and pirate trails. Find out more here.

From 30th July to 30th August: Head down to the Bassetlaw Museum for amazing daily events for kids. Events include Notts Wildlife Trust Activities, CHAOS Science Roadshow, Legos days and many craft days. All events are free, and no booking is required. Find out more about what events will be on here.

There are some wonderful heritage events scheduled for July, check some of them out below:

Throughout July: The D.H. Lawrence Museum is hosting ‘The Pentrich Revolution in Art’ exhibition throughout the month of July. ‘The Pentrich Revolution of 1817- England’s last armed rebellion. The story of the Derbyshire men who stood up to a repressive government demanding political rights and an end to enforced poverty. This hidden tale of Eastwood's connection to this pivotal moment in English history is told in visual interpretation boards and paintings by several local artists, and can be found within the Gallery Space at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum’. Visit the website here Throughout July: The D.H. Lawrence Museum is hosting ‘The Pentrich Revolution in Art’ exhibition throughout the month of July. ‘The Pentrich Revolution of 1817- England’s last armed rebellion. The story of the Derbyshire men who stood up to a repressive government demanding political rights and an end to enforced poverty. This hidden tale of Eastwood's connection to this pivotal moment in English history is told in visual interpretation boards and paintings by several local artists, and can be found within the Gallery Space at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum’. Visit the website here.

Tuesday 2nd July: At Clumber Park, ‘discover the history of the 18th century walled kitchen garden and see how the Gardens team continue to work this space using a variety of traditional horticultural methods’ by joining ‘Walled Kitchen Garden’ tour. No booking is required, and the event is free. For more information about how to join the tour, visit the website here.

Wednesday 3rd July: Thursday 25th July: The Workhouse and Infirmary in Southwell will be hosting a special ‘Written on the Workhouse Walls’ trail for the majority of July. ‘Find the bricks, solve the riddles and discover how vagrants used secret symbols to pass on messages in the 1800s’. Trails are £2 each and no booking is required. Visit the event information here.

Friday 19th July: Opening at the end of the month and running until January 2025, the University of Nottingham Museum will be hosting an exhibition titled ‘Bronze Age Offerings in the River Trent’.  ‘Around 3000 years ago, the rich warriors of the East Midlands made offerings in the River Trent, and about 200 of these bronze objects have been recovered from the river, making it one of the biggest such collections in Europe’. No booking required and admission is free. For more information about the exhibition, visit the event page here. Check out some of our HER records of the finds: Colwick, Stoke Bardolph/Shelford, Wilford Bridge, Bleasby and Trent Bridge. 

Above: River Trent and Trent Bridge, West Bridgford. (By Insignia3, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Saturday 20th July: Head down to the National Civil War Centre in Newark for a festival of archaeology! ‘Meet Catherine and Richard, The Field Detectives, and discover how community archaeologists find traces of the past in the most unlikely places! Chat to them throughout the day and enjoy an interactive look at the materials and practice of history in the field’. Handle real artefacts, look at the tools of treasure-hunting, and much more. No booking is required, just drop in. Visit the event page for more information.

Sunday 21st July: Join Alison Milbank, Professor of Literature and Theology at the University of Nottingham, for a lecture focusing on Lancelot Andrewes at Southwell Minster. Lancelot was a bishop and scholar active during the reigns of Elizbeth I and James I. No need to book, just drop in. To find out more about the lecture, visit the event page here.

Thursday 25th July: Wollaton Hall will be hosting a special performance of open-air theatre. ‘This summer, Three Inch Fools present a brand-new comedy of their own about one of England’s most epic monarchs, Henry VIII’. Tickets cost £20 (adults) or £12 (Children aged 5-16), family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) costs £55. To book your tickets, visit the event page here.

Saturday 27th July: ‘Come and find out about recent archaeological work at Southwell Roman Villa with the Southwell Community Archaeology Group’ during a special workshop at the University of Nottingham Museum. ‘In this free drop-in workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to handle archaeological artefacts. You can also explore Roman frescos. Find out how the Romans made their paint pigments and have a go at creating your own design using stencils’. The workshop is free, and no booking is required. For more information, visit the event page here.

Our wonderful libraries and heritage attractions in Nottinghamshire are hosting a multitude of events to keep you occupied this June. Check some of them out below:

Saturday 1st June: Head to Bassetlaw Museum with your historical or archaeological items to be identified and recorded by our fantastic Finds Liaison Officer for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. This event is free, but booking is required. Book your appointment here.

Wednesday 5th June: Launching on Wednesday is a 5-week beginners’ course on family history which will introduce you to the main types of records available for your research. You will discover where to locate family history documents and online information, as well as developing your research skills to help you make sense of what you find. The course costs £36 and sessions will take place at the Retford Library. For more course information and booking details, visit the event page here.

Saturday 8th June: Join King Henry VIII at Southwell Minster for a lively evening where His Majesty will recount the events of his long reign; telling of his wives and his children and will invite you to petition him or question him on any related subject. Tickets cost £17.61 per person and are available online here or through the Cathedral shop (in person or 01636 812933).

Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June: Sherwood Forest is hosting an amazing War of the Roses re-enactment weekend. Re-enactment groups from both sides will set up their camps across the events green giving you the opportunity to get up close and personal to some real-life living history. There will be medieval cooking, weaving, spinning and armour and weapons on display. Also, with a range of talks, shows and skirmishes available throughout the day, you will be sure to be properly entertained. This event is free admission, but activities vary. For the event itinerary and more information, visit the event page here.

Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June: Come and see a historical re-enactment of Georgian and Victorian bare knuckle prize fighting and learn all about the sport at the Southwell Workhouse and Infirmary. This event is free (admission to the site still applies) and booking is not required. Visit here for the event information.

Above: Southwell Workhouse.

Tuesday 18th June: Archaeologist and author James Wright will be speaking about his new book Historic Building Myth-busting at Mansfield Central Library. Secret passages linking ancient buildings, spiral staircases giving advantage to right-handed defenders, ship timbers used for building, or blocked doors in churches to keep out the devil, James will explain the development of such myths and the underlying truths behind them. Tickets are £3 per person. Book your place here.

Wednesday 19th June: Join one of the Inspire librarians for a small group session to talk about the history of Nottinghamshire's parish registers and look at some of the fascinating stories they contain at Worksop Library. This event is free. Book your place here.

Wednesday 19th June: Djanogly Gallery, part of the University of Nottingham, is hosting a wonderful talk called ‘Cultural Nexus: Engaging Community through Museums, Archives, Curation, and Repatriation’. The presentation centres on the work of Roshan Mishra (Director of Taragaon Next and a Kathmandu-based visual artist) in the field of museums, archives, curation, and repatriation in Nepal. It examines the importance of these activities, their impact, and community engagement. Roshan will illuminate the dynamic ways these cultural pillars intertwine, fostering understanding, preservation, and a shared connection to our diverse heritage. This talk is free and can also be viewed online. Book your place here.

Thursday 27th June: To mark the 200th anniversary of Byron’s death, the University of Nottingham is providing a lecture on different elements of his life and work. This lecture will include several speakers will present different viewpoints and perspectives on the life and legacy of Lord Byron, followed by a question-and-answer session. Tickets cost £3 per person. Book your place here.

Above: Portrait of Lord Byron. By Thomas Phillips - BBC Your Paintings, Public Domain. 

The month of May is promising to be a month full of exciting historic events. Take a list at our list below:

Thursday 2nd May: Opening on Thursday 2nd May, an exhibition on ‘Counter Culture’ showcasing how shopping has evolved since 1849 when John Boot opened his Boots store in Goose Gate, Nottingham. The exhibition uses historic artefacts, architecture, and images to explore the changes to the experiences of the high street. As well as the exhibition, which you can see free of charge at the Djanogly Gallery, there are also a number of gallery tours and special related talks, such as ‘The Story of Boots' 17: Selling Cosmetics to the Post-War Teenager’ on Thursday 9th May. Check out the exhibition and the organised talks here.

Saturday 4th May:  An extended version of Palace Theatre’s ‘Besieged (but never beaten) Tour’ will be taking place in Newark. The tour takes a deep dive in the British Civil War and will take you around some of the 17th century sites, including Newark Castle, while discussing the experiences of the war. The tour runs for 2 ½ hours and includes approximately 3 miles of walking. Tickets cost £10 per person. Book your place here.

Saturday 4th- Monday 6th May: A vintage fun fair will be open at Rufford Abbey between Saturday 4th and Monday 6th May. Enjoy traditional rides from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s over the extended bank holiday weekend. Visit the fair information here.

Thursday 9th May: Take a tour around the Nottinghamshire Archives in which you will get the opportunity to view special and unique items from their collections. As part of the tour, you will also get to visit the Conservation Studio and learn about the techniques used to treat and preserve artefacts of different materials. Tickets cost £3 per person. Book your tickets here.

Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th May: To celebrate National Mills Weekend, head over to Green’s Mill and Science Centre to climb the 19th century windmill and learn 200-year-old methods of turning grain into flour. Entry is free. For more event information visit here.

Wednesday 15th May: At Worksop Library, local historian Adrian Gray will be presenting an in depth look at some of the women of Nottinghamshire who have had a significant impact in challenging the man’s world that they were forced to live in. Tickets cost £3 per person. Book your place here.

Thursday 16th May: Join staff at Nottinghamshire Archives to discover the history of mental health care in Nottinghamshire, from the records of the people who experienced it first-hand. Learn about the reasons for admittance as well as how caring for those suffering from mental health has evolved from asylum to hospitals. Tickets cost £5 per person. Book your place here.

Thursday 16th May: Take a fascinating gallery tour of the ‘Dear Sisters’ exhibition with the Nottinghamshire Feminist Archive Group at the Weston Gallery to learn the about the stories of the items on display. The tour is free, but booking is required. Book your place here.

Friday 18th May: Mansfield Central Library will be hosting an amazing Hands on Heritage Day. Visit local and family history stalls, browse the books for sale, explore pop-up museums, and view old Nottinghamshire photographs, maps and more. You can also get hands-on with fun crafts and activities for all the family including a virtual reality coal mine, traditional circus skills, toys from the past, and amazing archaeology. No booking necessary! For the full event information, visit the event page here.

Friday 18th May – Saturday 19th May: Be taken back to World War 2 at Thoresby Park the weekend of the 18th-19th May. You will get the opportunity to experience life in military camps, see how life on the Homefront was and vehicles that would have graced our roads. You can also buy yourself a treat at the Vintage Village or listen to live 40’s music. Entry is free. Weekend camping is available, book your camping place here.

Tuesday 21st May: Join photographer Neil Pledger for a hands-on workshop on heritage photography. You will learn techniques, specifically tailored to architectural and heritage photography, and head into Mansfield Town Centre to practice what you’ve learnt. This workshop is for ages 16+ and tickets cost £5 per person. You must also bring your own camera or phone. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for the outdoor part of the workshop, taking weather conditions into account. Book your place here.

Thursday 23rd May: Author, and British Museum exhibition curator, Richard Abdy will be hosting a ‘Legion: Life in the Roman Army’ talk to accompany the current exhibition at the British Museum and the recent book of the same title. Hear about stories of everyday aspects of the army in the heyday of the Roman Empire – from life in a tent to the food soldiers consumed – and explains its hierarchy, roles, equipment and place in a vast multi-ethnic society divided between citizens and subjects. Tickets cost £3 per person (free concessions) and takes place at the Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts. Book your place here.

Friday 24th May: At the University of Nottingham Museum, explore fascinating finds from Nottingham’s caves that show everyday people at work and at leisure with exhibition curator Dr Chris King. This event will allow you to get up-close and personal with some finds from the cave and you will also get the opportunity to handle some of them. There will be two identical talks on 24th May and tickets cost £3 per person (free concessions). Book your place here.

Saturday 25th May: Fancy completing a heritage-based escape room? Nottinghamshire Archives will be hosting an exciting opportunity to explore the heritage of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire by solving puzzles and gathering clues around Nottinghamshire Archives. There will be a time limit to complete the challenge that will test your deductive skills, powers of reasoning and teamwork. Tickets cost £5 per person. There will be four timed events on 25th May. Book your place here, just click on your time-preferred ‘Archives Escaped!’ to book.

Tuesday 28th May: At West Bridgford Library, the ‘Footpads, Kings and Highwaymen’ talk given by Ian Morgan will explore the old Great North Road through Nottinghamshire, which saw scenes of horrific battles, was the haunts of highwaymen, and the sites of murder. Tickets cost £3. Book your place here.

Above: Newark Castle

Come join us at Sherwood Pines for a day of learning about the history and archaeology of Sherwood Pines. Archaeologists, historians, researchers, and palaeoenvironmentalists will be there to show what has been found in Sherwood Pines, how the environment has changed throughout history, and how learning about archaeology and history can help promote community and wellbeing.

Date: Sunday April 28th

When: 10am-3pm

Where: Events room at the Sherwood Pines Visitor Centre

There will be a guided archaeology tour of the WWI training trenches that were excavated during our 2023 fieldwork from 1pm-3pm, leaving from the Sherwood Pines visitor centre. The walk will be approximately 4km long and go over rough terrain so please dress accordingly. Spaces are limited so please email our HER Officer Tori at tori.bedingfield@nottscc.gov.uk to secure your spot or find out more.

If you can't make it on Sunday, you can still explore Sherwood Pines' WWI history on the HER. Click here to read more about Clipstone Camp, and here about the trench system. The LiDAR layer on the mapping portal helps shed light on the hidden features within the forest, just click on 'Base Layers' on the maps on the Clipstone Camp and trench system pages. 

You can also read about the project here.

www.miner2major.org.uk

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