Jo’s Monday walk : Nottingham Castle

Just what you'd expect from the entrance to a castle

Just what you’d expect from the entrance to an ancient castle

We’re not going to do too much walking in Nottingham this week.  Up to the castle to check out the view, of course, but after that I might treat you to a half in ‘Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem’. It’s an interesting old place!

I know Nottingham quite well, because it’s my daughter’s home, but it’s years since I’ve been to the castle.  As in many parts of the country this year, there was a war-related exhibition- ‘Trent to Trenches’.  But first, we must climb up to the castle.  It’s not too steep and we can go slowly through the gardens, or even sit on a bench for a while.

Naturally, Robin's hanging out there!

Naturally, Robin’s hanging out there!

Semprevirens form a display in the border
With a thrust or two of Cordeline
There’s a lovely summer house, with a bench or two for lingering
And I even spied an owl on guard duty!

Once you reach Castle Rock, there’s a large viewing terrace with patio tables and chairs.  Another invitation to linger, with perhaps a pot of coffee and croissants.

The day I was there, we were constantly accosted by a swarm of ladybirds!  I have never seen the like.  Red and yellow ones, both, were on the tables and thronging the doorway to the museum.  I didn’t manage a photo because I was too busy rescuing them and guiding them on a better flight path.  I can only surmise the warm weather had brought them out to play.

The view from Castle Rock

The view from Castle Rock

The views are wide ranging

The views are expansive

Overlooking 'Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem' below.

Overlooking ‘Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem’ below.

Time for a little history.  Nottingham Castle sits on a natural promontory, known as Castle Rock, with cliffs up to 40 metres high.  Back in the Middle Ages it was a major fortress and royal residence.  As all good castles are, it was strategically located, near to a crossing of the River Trent. Close to the royal hunting grounds at Tideswell and Sherwood, it once even had its own deer park.  Whilst Richard the Lionheart was away on his Third Crusade, it is thought that the castle was left derelict ,and was occupied by the Sheriff of Nottingham.  In the legends of Robin Hood, the castle often features in showdowns between the Sheriff and this popular outlaw.

Sadly the castle went into decline, and was largely demolished in 1649.  A mansion was built on the site, but this was burnt out by rioters in 1831.  The story of this and much of the castle’s intriguing history is told in the Castle Museum, opened in 1878- the first municipal art gallery in the UK outside of London.  Just before we step inside, let’s admire the elegant pebble mosaics set into the courtyard.

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I don’t intend to linger too long in the museum.  We each have our own pace and interests.  Let me just give you a small sample of what you might find inside.

Beautiful and original wrought iron gates
From around the county
Exquisite glassware
And extraordinary chess pieces
Regimental silverware
War memorabilia
And uniforms

IMG_2781

Several galleries were given over to the exhibition, documenting life in Nottinghamshire during the wars.  Even in black and white I found many of the images harrowing, and moved swiftly downstairs to learn of the castle’s history.  I won’t spoil it for you by giving away too many details but it is an atmospheric space, and a story well told.

You must be about ready for that half I promised you?  We’ll wander down the hill, past the place that was once a thriving Lace Market.  ‘Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem‘, dating back to 1189, must be one of the most unusual pubs I’ve ever been in.  It is set into the cliff face and is famous for its caves.  The rooms are unusual shapes, some with holes in the ceiling.  There was once a brewery in the lower caverns and there’s a route from there up into Nottingham Castle.  You can actually book a tour of the cellars, which are part of Nottingham’s extensive cave network. Affectionately known as ‘The Trip’, the name derives from a ‘trip’, meaning a stop or resting place on a journey.

The former Lace Market

The former Lace Market

The cliff face
‘The Trip’
Looking up!
One of the smallest rooms
What a strange ceiling!!
But look! A friendly face. Cheers, Lisa!

But look! A friendly face. Cheers, Lisa!

As always, I have included links for those who would like more information, or might be near enough to visit.  I hope you enjoyed meandering around Nottingham Castle with me.  Not too strenuous, was it?

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I’m ready to put the kettle on now and enjoy the great contributions I’ve received to Jo’s Monday walk this week.  If you have a walk you’d like to share, do please join in.  For details, just click on the link or on my logo.  Many thanks to all my walkers this week.

Firstly, Noe takes us back to South Sulawesi.  The scenery is quite amazing!  :

West coast of Gusung Island 2

And for something completely different, how about Glasgow Necropolis, with Violet Sky  :

City of the Dead

Amy has saved us some delicious remnants of Autumn foliage  :

Lost Maples

While Drake is busy, just being himself, in Liverpool  :

Walking Sculptures

And, all the way from Australia, we have Jude joining us again.  A bit special!  :

A walk in the Blue Mountains

That’s it till next Monday.  Have a great week and happy walking to you all!

124 comments

  1. Oh my! Those caves would make me claustrophobic but they are somintriguing. To think wkat all has occurred in those nooks & crannies!

    The mosaics are beautiful and intricate and I love the too-cute hooty owl planting! Great walk.

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    1. I’m not wild about caves, Sammy, but this pub has so much atmosphere (not to mention a haunting or two 🙂 ) It was a bit of a special walk for me because my daughter was with me.

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  2. That entrance kind of sets you up for the treats inside doesn’t it Jo? A wonderful walk. The pebble mosaics are gorgeous! And Lisa’s lovely smiling face is the perfect conclusion! 🙂

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    2. Thank you so much for spending time with me today, Madhu 🙂 I do appreciate it. I’ll come over and see what you’ve been up to soon. Yes, me and my girl had a lovely weekend together.

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  7. Very interesting Jo 🙂 My nephew lives near Mansfield and I’ve been to Sherwood Forest with him but not Nottingham Castle. He loved the Castle Museum in York (he’s 13) so the one in Nottingham might be a good choice for an outing when I’m next over. Love Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem too! Thanks for sharing all your photos and all the info! Have a great week 🙂

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    1. Yes, I feel sure he’d love the Castle, Rosemay. The history in the basement is so well done- don’t miss it. And he might like a Cellar tour, too 🙂 Details are in the Castle Museum and Trip links.

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  12. Nottingham is a place which has long interested me and after taking this walk with you Jo I really want to go. Can’t go wrong with old Robin Hood at the helm, right? Love the photo of him ‘hanging out’ in the gardens, it really made me giggle for some reason and I am still as I type this…silly isn’t it? We almost made it to Sherwood Forest during a visit to my brother back in the day when he was in the RAF and living in Haxby. but somehow it didn’t quite happen. But that’s another story… ha 😉 Anyway, now I’ve seen Robin here thanks to you and what a wonderful way to wrap up for a nice glass of wine at Ye Old Trip To Jerusalem’. Lovely photo of Lisa too 🙂

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    1. We had a really lovely day out together, Sherri, so this one was a joy to share. It’s funny what sets us off giggling, isn’t it, but always better than tears (well, not of joy, of course 🙂 ) Hugs, darlin’. Hope you have a better week.

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  13. Lovely tour Jo. And I too love the mosaics. I last went to Nottingham more than 20 years ago, took my kids and they went on the Robin Hood experience whilst I went for a job interview! I remember the pub, don’t think we went to the castle. Thanks for the info… 🙂

    I will have another walk for you tomorrow. I will try to link it for you, but travelling to meet Meg! So exciting!
    xx

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      2. I never wear one at home, but had it drilled into me in the blazing African heat on my camping safari – HAT! SUNCREAM! WATER! every time we stepped out of the van 🙂 And I do have very fair skin – the type that goes red and never brown!

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      4. I read somewhere that anything over factor 30 is not any different – after I’d bought factor 50 of course 😀

        Lisa fair-skinned too then? You seem to tan well.

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      1. Well it was a long time ago! I grew up during my early years in Nottinghamshire – still have a soft spot for the county, but Nottingham gets bad press.

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  15. Loved the mosaics. Don’t know why I picked that out ………. as I loved it all.
    Every place looked so neat and clean. Does someone know you are coming and clean up before you start walking? lol I sure rush around before anyone visits me. 🙂

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  20. Wonderful captures – never seen the castle at close hand before – once had a late meeting including a overnight, but the only I see from the hotel was the lightend road from the center to Sherwood Forest – the Sherwood Forest I have biked looking for Robin Hood with negative result, didn’t find him… 😀

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