Top East Midlands Art & Culture in 2026

Join me, Little John, on a journey through the heart of Nottingham! Hear the real tales of Robin Hood, the wicked Sheriff, and the fight for justice. From the mighty walls of Nottingham Castle to the hidden caves of Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, I'll share stories of power, rebellion, and survival. Walk the streets where legends were born, uncover secrets of Sherwood Forest, and discover the truth behind the myths. This lively, immersive tour brings history to life with wit, grit, and spirit. We'll also wander through the old Lace Market, once the pride of Nottingham. I'll show ye how the rich stayed rich, and how folk like us fought back! Adventure awaits — will ye stand with the Merry Men?

Take a stroll in the picturesque market town of Stamford with a guide to take care of the navigating, so you can focus on the magnificent architecture and historic sights. During the tour, learn about the town’s colorful history—including tales of tragic romance, politics, and plenty of secret stories that you wouldn’t find in a guidebook. The tour showcases Georgian architecture, famous landmarks, and lots of hidden gems.

Our experience is totally unique as it not only gives you access to an award winning car museum but also gives the opportunity to actually drive one of the 29 cars that shaped popular British culture over the last 70 years. You can make a full day of it with freshly cooked food or refreshments at our onsite café. There are other activities like woodland walks available on site too

Plan your ultimate getaway, a magnificent estate offering a full day of discovery. Step inside the grand Regency castle, famous for its opulent rooms and as a location for "The Crown." Afterwards, wander through acres of breathtaking gardens, with landscapes designed by the legendary 'Capability' Brown. Complete your visit at a charming artisan retail village where you can find unique gifts, local produce, and delicious food and drink.

The historic city of Nottingham was home to one of the UK’s most popular outlaws: Robin Hood. Explore the city at your own pace while solving riddles and trying to outsmart the Sheriff of Nottingham on this self-guided interactive tour and scavenger hunt. Learn the hidden history behind some of the city’s most popular landmarks, including the oldest pub in England.

Turning the streets of Leicester into an adventure playground! Get a unique perspective of this historical town on this self-guided, interactive treasure hunt with an escape room twist. It's the best way to discover Leicester! On your adventure, unlock a hidden trail, find clues, solve puzzles, and complete challenges, earning points along the way. Discover the town's highlights, explore hidden gems, learn some fun facts, and see things that most people just pass by. As the activity is all self-guided through the app, you can start your Quest when you want and go at your own pace, stopping for breaks. It's an ideal activity for couples, families, and groups of friends. You can use the Quests as a Team Building activity too! Will you conquer the Quest?

Discover the magical city of Nottingham at your own pace with this guided tour. With a tour of more than 2 hours, you can explore emblematic attractions such as the Castle or the historic Lace Market. This option without schedules or groups allows you to enjoy the city flexibly, including recommendations on gastronomy and family activities. Available in six languages, this experience is ideal for those looking for personalized tourism without complications. - Self-guided tour of over 2h with + 15 points of interest - Access to information in 6 languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, Italian, and German - Explore iconic attractions and receive gastronomic recommendations. - No groups or schedules, ideal for traveling at your own pace.

Historic Cambridge is so compact that it can be hard to navigate using apps. Discover the perfect walking route for your group—including access to some university colleges (entrance fees may apply)—with the insider knowledge of your own, private Cambridge guide. Choose between two tours, one focused on Cambridge city center, which includes many university buildings, and the second highlighting the university and a scenic riverside walk.

Step into family festive magic with Christmas at Belvoir Castle and Gardens. During this experience, you’ll discover staterooms decked in elaborate festive décor and grand Christmas trees, all set against the backdrop of one of England’s most iconic stately homes. You will soak up the spirit of the season with live music and carols ringing out as you explore centuries of heritage and artistry. From rich tapestries and fine art to glittering garlands and winter gardens, every corner delivers a blend of history and seasonal wonder. To finalise a wonderful festive day out, you’ll take a stroll through the formal grounds wrapped in winter beauty. Belvoir Castle’s Christmas transformation is a festive escape where elegance and atmosphere take centre stage.

Your own guide. Your own time. Get your bearings and discover Nottingham on an exclusive private tour, with your own local, expert guide. Our tour is all about spending time with a local, as well as uncovering our deep history. Nottingham has a stranger story than you might expect. Beneath the streets are ancient caves, above them are medieval churches, a legendary outlaw, a notorious inn and a city transformed by the Industrial Revolution. On this 1.5 hour walking tour, your local guide brings those stories to life as you explore Nottingham’s historic heart. Wander through Nottingham’s oldest streets, uncovering stories of Anglo-Saxon settlers, medieval merchants, and daring outlaws. Learn how the Industrial Revolution transformed the city, hear the secrets of its ancient cave system, and uncover tales of Robin Hood, body snatchers, and revolutionary entrepreneurs who changed the course of history. All with a local, passionate guide!

Explore Lincoln at your own pace with this self-guided walking trail through one of England’s most historic cities. Discover Lincoln Cathedral and medieval Lincoln Castle, follow the route through historic streets, ancient gateways and hidden corners. Along the way, uncover fascinating stories about Lincoln’s Roman, medieval and more recent past. From The Strait and Jews’ Court to High Bridge, the Stonebow, Exchequer Gate and Roman Lincoln, the trail takes you beyond the city’s best-known sights and encourages you to look closely at the places you pass. At each stop, test your observation skills with a question or challenge based on what you can see. Look out for the image-spotting activity too, adding extra fun for families. Once completed, use your answers to tackle the final challenge. The circular trail is approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) and takes around 2–2½ hours. Start anywhere on the route and explore at your own pace. This is a self-guided experience — there is no tour guide.

Discover Nottingham, a vibrant, forward-thinking city deeply rooted in its fascinating past. Starting and ending at the Old Market Square, this roughly circular route takes you past iconic landmarks including the Park Tunnel and historic Nottingham Castle. You'll uncover a pub uniquely carved into a cliff face and explore a mysterious sandstone tunnel deep beneath the city streets. Nottingham is famed for its subterranean wonders, expect descents into underground features, including steps and a large tunnel to walk through. Along the way, your guide Helen shares insider tips and local haunts, so you'll always know the best spots to pause and soak in the atmosphere. This is a self-guided outdoor walking tour. Most stops are exterior visits, for the few attractions offering indoor entry, you're welcome to visit independently at your own expense.

Your guides know Leicester well. They know the medieval history too. Have fun visiting the key sites in the company of someone who can tell all the stories, as well as answer any questions you might have. You’ll see places that are not easy to find, and come away with a love for King Richard’s life and times. The tour works perfectly with your own visit to the tomb in the Cathedral and to the Richard III visitor centre.

The history of Oakham goes back over a thousand years with people living here much earlier too. Oakham is a beautiful vibrant market town which somehow manages to be wonderfully quiet compared to the noisy chaos of London. It makes for a great day out or even long weekend away. Our special private walking tour is the best way to either see it all or get your bearings for a longer stay. Our Private Walking Tour is just for you and will explore all the nooks and crannies of this beautiful market town, the county town of Rutland. See the unique castle set amongst its old walls and beautiful park with old bandstand. Admire the fabulous old church and check out the old Stocks in the Buttermarket amongst much more besides. Oakham and Rutland are known for being great for foodies and there is lots to see and buy. It's a private tour so runs when you want it and at whatever pace you like. Please note Oakham is a small market town, museum & castle interior closed Sundays & Tuesdays.

Step through nearly a thousand years of history on this self-guided audio walking tour of Nottingham. Over 32 stops and 1.8 miles, wander from medieval lanes to striking modern landmarks, with GPS-triggered narration playing to your headphones, so you go at your own pace and pause anytime. Begin at The Lacehouse in the historic Lace Market, then explore St. Mary's Church, the City of Caves, and the legendary Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem, one of England's oldest inns. Discover a pub hidden inside a converted church, admire the bronze Robin Hood statue, and pass Nottingham Castle and the Theatre Royal. The route finishes in the leafy Arboretum park. Key takeaways: - Nottingham's Lace Market was once a global hub of the 19th-century lace industry, shaping the city's skyline. - The City of Caves and Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem trace back to medieval Nottingham. - The route spans centuries of architecture, from medieval churches to Victorian and modern civic buildings. No crowds, just you!

Interactive Workshop: A hands-on, sensory experience led by a professional fragrance stylist. Expert Guidance: Learn the "Fragrance Pyramid" and how to balance base, heart, and top notes. Personalised Souvenir: Take home a 5ml bottle of a scent that exists nowhere else in the world. Extensive Scent Library: Experiment with a curated collection of premium accords, from fresh florals to deep musks. Perfect for All: An ideal activity for solo travellers, couples, or groups looking for a unique indoor experience.

Our private walking tour will show you all the best bits of this incredibly unique city, home to the largest public square in the U.K. There is one man who epitomizes Nottingham above all else and we will follow hot on his tail to various points in the City that are pivotal to the adventures of Robin Hood including the gatehouse and walls of Nottingham Castle. Nottingham sits upon what is known as the City of Caves with there being almost 1,000 known caves beneath the city. In our tour we will descend underground, seeing the highlights, some of which were used in WW2 as public air-raid shelters Visit the old Lace Market & uncover the secrets of this famous part of Nottinghams' heritage. We will also learn about some of the less palatable parts of the history of Nottingham, where many of the executions took place.  We end at possibly the oldest pub in Britain. Frequented by crusaders heading south and partially built into the rock beneath Nottingham Castle.

Turning the streets of Lincoln into an adventure playground! Get a unique perspective of this historical city on this self-guided, interactive treasure hunt with an escape room twist. It's the best way to see the city! On your adventure, unlock a hidden trail, find clues, solve puzzles, and complete challenges, earning points along the way. Discover the city's highlights, explore hidden gems, learn some fun facts, and see things that most people just pass by. As the activity is all self-guided through the app, you can start your Quest when you want and go at your own pace, stopping for breaks. It's an ideal activity for couples, families, and groups of friends. Will you conquer the Quest?

This self-guided audio walking tour through medieval Leicester is hosted by historian and History Hit podcaster Matt Lewis. On this walking tour, you'll discover the dramatic history hiding behind the 2012 discovery of King Richard III beneath a city car park. Over the next hour, your smartphone's GPS automatically plays Matt’s narration at exactly the right time and place, letting you safely explore at your own pace. Starting at the Richard III Visitor Centre, you'll track the final footsteps of England’s last Plantagenet king. You'll learn the secrets of the Newarke Gateway, pass the drafty remains of Leicester Castle, and look down at the ancient Roman wall. You'll walk to Bow Bridge to learn the grim legend of Richard's departure, explore St. Nicholas Church, and marvel at the architecture of Guildhall Lane. The tour finishes at the Cathedral Gardens by Richard's statue and final tomb. Download the app and step into history!

Explore Nottingham's rich history while visiting 5 of its finest historic pubs. This tour takes you through the city’s charming streets, revealing fascinating tales of Robin Hood, medieval knights, and local legends. Each pub holds a unique story, from one with a canal running through it to another possibly being the oldest in Britain, complete with caves beneath. Enjoy a complimentary drink at each of the four pubs you visit, making it a delightful way to savor Nottingham's vibrant pub culture while soaking in its historical ambiance. - Visit five authentic historic pubs, each with a unique character - Enjoy a free drink at each stop, including local ales and soft drinks - Sightseeing highlights include tales of Robin Hood and local history - Duration of 4-5 hours, with convenient meeting points available

Interactive Workshop: A hands-on, sensory experience led by a professional fragrance stylist. Expert Guidance: Learn the "Fragrance Pyramid" and how to balance base, heart, and top notes. Personalised Souvenir: Take home a 5ml bottle of a scent that exists nowhere else in the world. Extensive Scent Library: Experiment with a curated collection of premium accords, from fresh florals to deep musks. Perfect for All: An ideal activity for solo travellers, couples, or groups looking for a unique indoor experience.

Step into the world of craft rum with a fully immersive distillery tour at Revival Rum. Led by master distiller James Singlehurst, discover the unique processes behind the creation of award-winning rums. Engage in a tantalizing tasting experience directly from the barrels and enjoy a selection of Revival's finest rums. Each tour participant walks away with a complimentary revival Rum Glass, making this a must-try for rum enthusiasts. - Guided tour by master distiller James Singlehurst - Taste directly from the barrels and sample various rums - Ideal for rum lovers and those curious about distilling processes

Book this tour to find out about many different aspects of Nottingham. We will discuss the myth and legend of Robin Hood and the historical links. There will be a reflection on Nottingham's role in the civil war. You will hear about how a riot brought about the end of Nottingham Castle. We will discuss the city’s rich cultural past, from rendezvous at the Left Lion to its sporting and fashionable history. The tour will explain the Anglo-Saxon history and goose fair. The tour will take in many of the city center's top sights and stories, including; The Old Trip to Jerusalem (and the story of the Cursed Galleon), The Robin Hood statue (find out the truth behind the legend), The Nottingham Castle Gate (discover Nottingham's royal past), the Old Market Square (where the people of Nottingham meet. The tour will end at Weekday cross & the Lace Market which will allow for a reflection on Nottingham, from Anglo-Saxon times to the current day.