Just three miles west of Nottingham’s city centre sits Wollaton Hall – a Grade I listed Elizabethan country house, nestled in 500 acres of beautiful parkland. This stunning mansion opened to the public in 1926 and has been home to Nottingham’s Natural History Museum ever since: today, it houses a collection of over 750,000 artefacts, from fossils, minerals, plants and eggs, to invertebrates, vertebrates, molluscs, taxidermy and rare specimens from around the world.
Behind the curated museum, however, lies an equally fascinating history waiting to be discovered: built in 1588 by the Willoughby family, this labyrinthine building hides a web of corridors and rooms. Take a Hidden History Tour around Wollaton Hall and explore private areas of this superb building: climb almost a hundred steps to reach the grand, imposing Prospect Room; “walk the leads” and enjoy rooftop views; and descend through the depths of the house to the Tudor Kitchens, the wine cellar and the Admiral’s Bath – a dug out cave beneath the hall.
Leave time to explore Wollaton Hall’s stunning parkland, too: this vast expanse boasts diverse habitats, including grassland, wetland and woodland, and is home to a large herd of free-roaming deer. With a picturesque lake and an abundance of wildlife, it’s a popular spot for birdwatching, photography and orienteering – or simply a good old afternoon ramble.
Wollaton Hall is only three miles away from us at the Mercure Nottingham, and the hour-long Hidden History Tours run daily at midday and 2 pm. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature-lover, or simply wanting to explore one of the county’s most iconic buildings, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied at Wollaton Hall!
BOOK a night stay at the Mercure Nottingham City Centre Hotel and enjoy Wollaton Hidden History Tours at Wollaton Hall.
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