Discover Southwell: Minster, Workhouse and Bramley heritage

Southwell brings together church and social history with walking routes and the heritage of the Bramley apple. If you are looking for a hotel in Southwell, these different highlights can help you tailor your stay to the interests of your trip.

Southwell Minster and the Archbishop's Palace

Since 1884, Southwell Minster has been the cathedral church of Nottinghamshire; it has been a place of worship for well over 900 years. The late 13th-century chapter house is known for its depictions of plants, animals and so-called “Green Men”, collectively known as “The Leaves of Southwell”. Guided tours explore 1,000 years of history and include the chapter house. Dates and booking requirements may change; check them in advance if you are planning a tour.

The former palace of the Archbishop of York stands directly beside the Minster, and its present form dates from the 14th century. The Great Hall retains its original proportions. In the State Chamber, the beams of the vaulted ceiling are largely original medieval timbers. The Palace Gardens lie between the palace's striking ruins and include shrubs, flowering plants, old trees and lawns. The planting may change over time.

Workhouse and Infirmary

Built in 1824, the Workhouse is one of the best-preserved and most complete of its kind in England. The infirmary at the Workhouse and Infirmary was built in 1871 to care for people who were too ill to be accommodated in the Workhouse. Tours, exhibitions and activities explore the lives of the people who lived and worked there; the current programme may change.

The Workhouse also has a reconstructed Victorian vegetable garden with heritage varieties, which visitors can explore. As the planting changes with the seasons, the garden's plants are at a different stage depending on the time of year.

Walking routes and landscape

The Town Walk Trail starts at the Church St Carpark in Southwell and takes approximately 45 minutes. Parking regulations may change; check them in advance if needed. The Southwell Trail is 7.5 miles long and runs from Southwell to Bilsthorpe. It forms part of the Central Linear Route, which can be used on foot, by bicycle and on horseback. Surfaces and access rules may change.

The Riverside Walk follows the River Greet from Upton Road to Greet Bridge on Normanton Road; trail conditions may also change. The 1.72-hectare Potwell Dyke Grasslands reveal another aspect of local landscape history: they are the last remaining remnants of the Archbishop of York's deer park and hunting ground. Natural England has designated the Grasslands as a Priority Habitat.

Bramley heritage, market and festivals

The two Bramley Heritage Trails celebrate Southwell as the home of the Bramley apple. In 2009, three Bramley apple trees were planted in the Community Orchard to mark the 200th anniversary of the world-famous apple. The tree that produced the original Bramley apple stands in the garden of Bramley Tree Cottage. A historic location in the town is also tied to a specific year: in 1646, Charles I spent his last days of freedom at the Saracen's Head.

The Bramley Apple Festival of Food & Drink returns to Southwell Minster for its annual autumn date. Dozens of exhibitors offer pies, chocolate, jams, chutneys, pickled vegetables and sausages, among other things; the selection may vary from one event to another. Check the specific event dates before your trip. The Southwell Music Festival takes place every year over the August Bank Holiday weekend, although the exact dates may vary.

Southwell Market takes place every Saturday from 8 am in the Market Square. As market arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the current schedule.

Discover more destinations: Torworth, Worksop, Colston Bassett, Mansfield, Mansfield Woodhouse, Hucknall, Cuckney, Winthorpe.

For the broader travel overview: Nottinghamshire.