Wild Protea Woodland

The legendary stomping ground of Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest (20 minutes’ drive) is within striking distance, with plenty of walking and bike trails. One of its oak trees is estimated to be up to 1100 years old – surely that’s worth a trip alone. In Newark-on-Trent (20 minutes), step on board one of the barges for a day on the river Trent. If you'd rather stay on dry land, there are plenty of pubs and cafés to try out, as well as a 12th-century castle, an air museum and a historic marketplace to wander through. Newark Castle and Gardens (20 minutes) has gorgeous formal gardens on the banks of the river too. That's some history under your belt already, although if you still want more, the National Trust’s Clumber Park (20 minutes) has 3,800 acres of historic parkland for peaceful bike rides or walks. Creswell Crags (25 minutes) is another fine spot, with an archaeological museum, a cave and a limestone gorge once walked by Ice Age mammoths. With a café on site too, it’s easy to spend a whole afternoon there.