Pictures of Southwell

in the county of Nottinghamshire

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About Southwell

This beautiful old Nottinghamshire town is best known for its inspiring Minster which was quite probably founded as a monastery in the 10th-century, perhaps even earlier. The church was begun in 1108, it has two Western towers with pyramidal roofs and a central squat tower. The magnificent chancel is Early English and is thought to be from the 13th-century. The chapter house would appear to be from the same period and is famous for its carved foliage decoration. There are magnificent stained glass windows and many other treasures. The Minster was raised to cathedral status in the late 19th-century. The Norman symmetry of the twin towers rise in stately fashion above a well laid out churchyard where you can see graves and splendid carved stone tombs, from centuries ago.

Taking a short walk from the Minster through pleasant pathways which take you into the heart of Southwell's conservation area, you eventually arrive at Southwell's workhouse. This superb heritage centre vividly portrays the cruel lives led by the destitute who, often through no fault of their own, were both homeless and penniless, thus the workhouse was the only means of a roof and food. The workhouse was the vision of the Reverend John Becher, it was built in 1824 and for over 150 years housed those whose lives where blighted by poverty. In all its starkness, the workhouse system was a revolutionary forerunner of the 'welfare' system we know today. The workhouse is truly atmospheric of its past and is well worth seeing.

Popular with locals and the racing fraternity from all over the Midlands is Southwell racecourse. This is one of the premier sporting venues in the East Midlands where racing enthusiasts can relax in the ambience of surprisingly pleasant surroundings and enjoy a good days sport.

History tells us that it was here in Southwell that King Charles I gave himself up to Scots Commissioners in the 17th-century Saracens Head. On another historic note Southwell was also a haven for evacuees during the dark days of World War II.

Southwell, surrounded by lovely open countryside, offers an interesting choice of guest accommodation and has a good range of shops, inns and restaurants. It is within easy reach of the City of Nottingham - famous for its beautiful lace, and within easy driving distance of Derby and the Peak District National Park. It is a small town with a lovely atmosphere, ideal for an enjoyable day out or to use as a base from which to explore the limestone pinnacles of the Peaks.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Southwell

Southwell Minster	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)	Pictures
Wonderland Pleasure Park	(5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Newark Castle	(5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction E)	Pictures
Sherwood Forest	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction W)	Pictures
Sherwood Pines Forest Park	(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Rufford Abbey	(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Burntstump Country Park	(7.7 miles, 12.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
Rufford Country Park	(7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Newark Air Museum	(8.2 miles, 13.1 km, direction E)	Pictures
Sherwood Heath Local Nature Reserve	(9.0 miles, 14.4 km, direction N)	Pictures
Newstead Abbey	(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction W)	Pictures
Sherwood Forest Amusement Park	(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Bestwood Lodge Country Park	(9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Holme Pierrepont Country Park	(9.9 miles, 16.0 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Sherwood Country Park	(10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction NW)	Pictures

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Recommended towns near Southwell

Newark-on-Trent, a Historic Market Town in the county of Nottinghamshire (6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction E)
As it's name implies, this town enjoys a fine position on the River Trent. The great castle where King John died in 1216 lies in ruins on the banks of the river.
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Arnold, in the county of Nottinghamshire (9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction SW)
This is an attractive part of Nottingham, at its heart is the splendid church dedicated to St. Mary, a place of worship for over one thousand years.
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Edwinstowe, in the county of Nottinghamshire (9.2 miles, 14.9 km, direction NW)
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Papplewick, in the county of Nottinghamshire (9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction W)
This delightful village lies close to the forest made famous by the legendry Robin Hood and his sweetheart Maid Marian.
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Collingham, in the county of Nottinghamshire (9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction NE)
This is a small Nottinghamshire village pleasantly located on the banks of the River Trent. It offers all the usual village amenities, church, couple of shops, butchers, newsagents and three public houses.
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Mansfield, in the county of Nottinghamshire (11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction NW)
During the war, both Mansfield and the surrounding region provided sanctuary for Midlander's fleeing the destruction of Hitler's bombs.
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Stapleford, in the county of Lincolnshire (11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction E)
Stapleford is a village lying in the picturesque valley of the River Witham.
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Nottingham, a Historic City in the county of Nottinghamshire (11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction SW)
The City of Nottingham is famed for fine lace, the romance of Maid Marion and Robin Hood and as the birthplace of the founder of the Salvation Army, General William Booth (1829-1912).
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Swinderby, in the county of Lincolnshire (11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction NE)
Swinderby is located in spacious countryside close to where the Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire borders meet.
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North Scarle, in the county of Lincolnshire (12.5 miles, 20.1 km, direction NE)
The village is small and unspoilt, it has pleasant leafy lanes and a quiet High Street. Of its most picturesque aspects apart from the church, is a George V Post Box.
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Carlton-le-Moorland, in the county of Lincolnshire (13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction E)
Lovely Lincolnshire village with a history stretching back to the Doomsday Book and possibly beyond.
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Bassingham, in the county of Lincolnshire (13.7 miles, 22.0 km, direction E)
Bassingham, mentioned in the Doomsday Book, is a large, flourishing village located close to the banks of the River Witham, a few miles south-west of the Cathedral City of Lincoln.
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Eagle, in the county of Lincolnshire (13.8 miles, 22.1 km, direction NE)
The village of Eagle is situated in spacious countryside a short distance away from the historic city of Lincoln.
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Babbington, in the county of Nottinghamshire (14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction SW)
This pretty Nottinghamshire village is situated around 7 miles from the centre of Nottingham. It is typical of rural England, with cottages interspersed along quiet leafy lanes.
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Beeston, in the county of Nottinghamshire (15.0 miles, 24.2 km, direction SW)
Beeston is mostly remarkable for being the place where the Ist Lord Trent started work in his mother's herbal shop at the age of 14.
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Nearby travel help

Fiskerton Station	(2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction SE)
Bleasby Station	(2.6 miles, 4.2 km, direction S)
M1 Junction 27	(13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction W)
M1 Junction 26	(13.1 miles, 21.1 km, direction SW)
East Midlands Airport	(23.1 miles, 37.1 km, direction SW)
Sheffield City Airport	(27.9 miles, 45.0 km, direction NW)
Southwell to London	(114.2 miles, 183.7 km, direction S)

Hotels & Accommodation in Southwell

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Southwell center
The Saracens Head Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Best Western Bestwood Lodge Hotel	(9.2 miles, 14.7 km, direction SW)
Clifton Hotel	(10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction NW)
Best Western Westminster Hotel	(10.9 miles, 17.6 km, direction SW)
Park Inn Nottingham Formerly Nottingham Moat House	(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction SW)
The Stage Hotel	(11.2 miles, 18.1 km, direction SW)
Colwick Hall Hotel	(11.3 miles, 18.3 km, direction SW)
Eastwood Hall	(11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction SW)
Premier Apartments Nottingham (Next to Ice Arena)	(11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction SW)
Comfort Hotel Nottingham (City Centre)	(11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction SW)
All hotels in Southwell