Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery

Description:

• Overlooking the city, Nottingham Castle was built in 1679 by the duke of Newcastle on the site of an old Norman fortress. After restoration in 1878, it opened as a provincial museum surrounded by a charmingly arranged garden. Of particular note is the History of Nottingham Gallery, re-creating the legends associated with the city, plus a rare collection of ceramics and a unique exhibition of medieval alabaster carvings, which were executed between 1350 and 1530. These delicately detailed scenes illustrate the life of Christ, the Virgin Mother, and various saints. Paintings cover several periods but are strong on 16th-century Italian, 17th-century French and Dutch, and the richest English paintings of the past 2 centuries.

  The only surviving element of the original Norman castle is a subterranean passage called Mortimer's Hole. The passage leads to Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, 1 Brewhouse Yard at Castle Road (tel. 01159/473171; www.triptojerusalem.com), dating from 1189 and said to be the oldest inn in England (today it's a pub and restaurant). King Edward III is said to have led a band of noblemen through these secret passages, surprising Roger Mortimer and his queen, killing Mortimer and putting his lady in prison. A statue of Robin Hood stands at the base of the castle.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010