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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Sunset at Instow, North Devon

Instow

in the county of Devon

The garden on the way to the pottery.

Hugh Town

in the county of Isles of Scilly

Pictures of Mansfield

in the county of Nottinghamshire

About Mansfield

This was once a town of just a few thousand inhabitants in the heart of Sherwood Forest. It developed rapidly into one of the most important industrial centres of the North Midlands following the end of World War II. During the war, both Mansfield and the surrounding region provided sanctuary for Midlander's fleeing the destruction of Hitler's bombs. These were mostly women and children, with girl's being sent to the country areas to work on the land.

However, prior to all of this a community had existed here from the very earliest of times, this was proven by a number of remarkable cliff dwellings discovered in sandstone along the road leading to Southwell. These are known as the Rock Houses, they were lived in right up until the turn of the 20th century. Legacies of Roman occupation have been found in the nearby village of Mansfield Woodhouse, these include coins dating from the time of Vespasian, and the remains of a villa indicate the position of the settlement.

Although there were no collieries in Mansfield, much of its 20th century prosperity came from the surrounding Nottinghamshire coal mines. It also gained stability from the production of hosiery, footwear and lace.

Modern day Mansfield offers visitors a pleasant experience, it has excellent shopping facilities and a range of places catering for leisure. There is a rich mixture of architecture, several modern shop fronts cover buildings of a more gracious age, this is particularly noticeable in Mansfield's lovely old Market Street and in the Market Place which is dominated by a huge memorial to Lord George Frederick Cavendish Bentinck. The market place Moot Hall was given to Mansfield by the Lady of the manor, the Countess of Oxford, of Welbeck Abbey, in 1752. Mansfield's neo-classical Town Hall of 1836 is a Grade II listed building which is about to undergo ambitious repairs and refurbishment. It is proposed that this will provide much needed office space for Mansfield's expanding commercial centre.

There remain many pre-Victorian buildings to be seen, these include fine Georgian properties in Westgate and the same street possesses the 16th century Cromwell House. The parish church of St.Peter lies a short distance from the Market Place, this has a fine Norman steeple, but is mostly of 14th century build.

A museum in the town centre recalls the history, heritage and folk-lore of Mansfield. However, one anecdote you may not get to hear of is the story of John Cockle, known as the Miller of Mansfield. He is believed to have entertained King Henry II after finding him lost in the woods. He had no idea of the identity of his guest, whom he fed on a huge pasty stuffed with Venison poached from the Royal forest! Fact or fiction, the tale is fun.

Mansfield gives easy access to the wild beauty of Sherwood Forest with its rich association with the legendry Robin Hood, Maid Marian and Friar Tuck. It is also close to several rivers, these include the Maun, Meden and Poulter, and Southwell racecourse lies within easy driving distance of the town.

Recommended towns & villages near Mansfield

Bolsover Castle

Bolsover (89 Pictures) in the county of Derbyshire

(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction NW of Mansfield)

Bolsover is a small town lying 5 miles east of Chesterfield. It occupies a picturesque valley setting, watched over by 17th century Bolsover Castle which stands on the site of a former fortress of Norman times...

This is the front of Sutton Scarsdale Hall, Sutton Scarsdale, Derbyshire

Sutton Scarsdale (18 Pictures) in the county of Derbyshire

(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NW of Mansfield)

This is a village noted for the romantic ruins of what was once one of the grandest houses in Derbyshire...

Southwell Minster, nottinghamshire

Southwell (51 Pictures) in the county of Nottinghamshire

(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction SE of Mansfield)

Southwell, surrounded by lovely open countryside, offers an interesting choice of guest accommodation and has a good range of shops, inns and restaurants...

The old Co-operative Society buildings at Ripley, Derbyshire.

Ripley (8 Pictures) in the county of Derbyshire

(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction SW of Mansfield)

..

The Crooked Spire, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Chesterfield (75 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Derbyshire

(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction NW of Mansfield)

Chesterfield is an attractive town close to the dramatic peaks of the Peak District National Park. It is well known for its strange landmark, the crooked spire of its parish.....

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Nearby attractions..

A picture of Pleasley Pit Country Park

Pleasley Pit Country Park (8 Pictures)

(3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction NW)

Pleasley Pit Country park is a reclaimed colliery site, which now offers nature lovers the chance to see record numbers of.....

Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire

Hardwick Hall (134 Pictures)

(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction W)

This magnificent Elizabethan house was begun by Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury (Bess of Hardwick) in the year 1591. For the.....

Walled flower garden at Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire.

Newstead Abbey (64 Pictures)

(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction S)

A beautiful historic house set in a glorious landscape of gardens and parkland within the heart of Nottinghamshire, England......

The Great Oak, Sherwood Forest

Sherwood Forest (39 Pictures)

(6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction SE)

..

The Senses

Bolsover Castle (100 Pictures)

(7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction NW)

The early morning sun streams down on a piece of Derbyshire's proud heritage, as into view come the magnificent ruins of Bolsover.....

This is the front of Sutton Scaresdale Hall, Derbyshire

Sutton Scarsdale Hall (15 Pictures)

(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NW)

..

The D H Lawrence Birthplace Museum, Eastwood, Nottinghamshire

D H Lawrence Birthplace Museum (2 Pictures)

(10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction SW)

Admirers of D.H.Lawrence (1885-1930) should visit this place, the great 20th-century writer and poet once said of it " The scene.....


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