Free Walking Tour Nottingham: Robin Hood & Medieval Streets

Medieval churches, Georgian cells, and the caves beneath the streets

You walk through Nottingham's medieval heart with a local guide for ninety minutes, moving between the Council House, ancient churches, a Georgian courthouse with dungeons, and the cave system beneath the streets. The tour includes Robin Hood folklore, Industrial Revolution history, and stories of the people who shaped the city. You start at Old Market Square at 10:30am and finish near Nottingham Castle.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Nottingham's historic city centre

• Meet guide at Old Market Square
• View Council House architecture and bell
• Learn about Nottingham's slave trade links
• Discover secrets beneath quiet gardens
• See remains of old driving industry
• Visit National Ice Centre and rink
• Explore historic beautiful church
• Tour courthouse with dungeons and cells
• Discover 'The Pillar' historic market place
• Explore Nottingham's characteristic caves
• Visit one of Britain's oldest pubs
• Take photo with Robin Hood statue
• Finish at Nottingham Castle history site

The Experience

You're stepping down into Nottingham's oldest streets, and within the first few minutes your guide is already pointing out what most people walk past without noticing. The Council House rises above you with its deep-sounding bell — the deepest in the UK, they tell you — and then the walk turns inward, into the stories that shaped this place. Anglo-Saxon settlers, medieval merchants, the Industrial Revolution tearing through and rebuilding everything. It's all here in ninety minutes, layered into the stone and the pavement and the spaces between buildings.

The cave system is what makes Nottingham different. You'll see where they are, learn who worked inside them during the textile boom, and understand why this city sits on top of itself the way it does. Your guide walks you past the National Ice Centre, through one of the most beautiful churches in the city, and into the courthouse — Georgian cells and medieval dungeons still intact, still real. The Pillar, the old market square, the pubs that have been here for centuries. Each stop has a reason, and the guide knows which stories stick.

Robin Hood gets his moment near the end, and so does Nottingham Castle — the place that shaped British monarchy and saw rebellion and murder play out on its walls. You'll also hear about the slave trade, the body snatchers, the entrepreneurs who changed the course of history. It's not a sanitized version. The tour doesn't shy away from the difficult parts, and that's what makes it feel honest. By the time you finish, you've walked maybe two miles, but you've moved through centuries.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a local guide who brings Nottingham's history to life as you walk through the city centre.
• You'll visit the Council House, medieval churches, the National Ice Centre, the Georgian courthouse with its dungeons, historic market squares, the cave system sites, and Nottingham Castle.
• The guide covers stories of Anglo-Saxon settlers, medieval merchants, the Industrial Revolution, Robin Hood, body snatchers, and the people who transformed the city.
• The tour is 1.5 hours long and starts at 10:30am from Old Market Square.
• Entry fees to individual attractions are not included in the tour price.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Walking Tours in England

Is this one for you?Right for anyone spending a few hours in Nottingham who wants the main stories and landmarks without arranging a guide separately. The 10:30am start and ninety-minute length fit easily into a morning or early afternoon, and the fixed route means you cover the medieval heart, the caves, and the castle without backtracking.

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Top questions

How long is the Nottingham City Centre walking tour?

The tour is 1.5 hours long, starting at 10:30am from Old Market Square.

What's included in the walking tour?

A local guide leads you through the historic streets, covering medieval churches, the cave system, the courthouse, Robin Hood sites, and Nottingham Castle. Entry fees to attractions are not included.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on the route are wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It's a walking tour covering roughly two miles at a steady pace.

Will we go inside the caves?

You'll see the caves and learn about the people who worked in them, but the tour focuses on the cave system from street level rather than descending inside.

Is there parking near Old Market Square?

Public transportation options are available nearby. The tour starts at Old Market Square in Nottingham city centre.

Can I take photos with the Robin Hood statue?

Yes, there's a stop where you can take a picture with the famous Robin Hood statue and learn the facts and fiction behind the legend.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour runs in most weather conditions. Dress appropriately for the season and bring an umbrella if rain is forecast.