5 days in the East Midlands
Introduction
The culture-rich East Midlands rewards travellers who want to get off the beaten track. Multicultural Leicester is a melting pot of British and Asian influence, with a delectable restaurant scene to match. Explore Sheffield’s cool hipster hangouts, allow underrated Derbyto exceed your expectations, and in Nottingham, get beneath the surface on a tour of its underground caves. But this region is far from a concrete jungle – it’s also a gateway to the lush wilderness of the Peak District National Park.
Here’s our pick of the top things to see and do over five days in the East Midlands:
Day 1 - Nottingham
Day 1 – Nottingham
Shrouded in the legend of Robin Hood, Nottingham is a city as bold as its heroic outlaw. Follow in his footsteps in Sherwood Forest, or embark on your own adventure in the city’s vast underground cave network. Quirky Lace Market is the best spot for independent shopping and cool eateries, while the Big Track is a peaceful walking or cycling route that passes many of the city’s top attractions and beloved pubs and coffee shops.
Things to do in Nottingham
Getting to Nottingham
Nottingham is served by East Midlands Airport, which welcomes flights from several European destinations. The Skylink bus departs from the airport to Nottingham city centre every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day (every 15 minutes during the day, hourly at night).
Birmingham Airport is also within easy reach. One of Britain’s biggest travel hubs, it’s a better option for those arriving on long-haul flights. Direct coaches from Birmingham Airport to Nottingham take around one and a half to two hours.
Nottingham is located around 127 miles (204km) from London. Regular trains from London St Pancras to Nottingham take around one hour and 45 minutes.
While you're here...
Day 2 - Sheffield
Day 2 – Sheffield
Sheffield is an undeniably cool city with distinctive northern grit. From live music to digital street art, indie cafes to craft beer on a manmade island, Sheffield is hipster heaven. It has the hustle and bustle of a big city, but its easy to get up close to nature too – try paddleboarding along the river, chill out in the Botanical Gardens, or venture into the neighbouring Peak District National Park.
Things to do in Sheffield
Getting to Sheffield from Nottingham
Trains from Nottingham to Sheffield run up to three times an hour, and take roughly one hour. A bus from Nottingham to Sheffield takes around an hour, too.
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Day 3 - Derby
Day 3 – Derby
Though not as well-known as its neighbours in the East Midlands, Derby can hold its own against the big hitters. With historic sites celebrating the city’s role in the industrial revolution – it was the home of the world’s first factory – as well as huge musical festivals, art galleries and stylish bars, you can expect the best of both worlds in this underrated spot.
Things to do in Derby
Getting to Derby from Sheffield
Regular trains from Sheffield to Derby take around 30 minutes. Alternatively, a coach journey between the two cities with Megabus takes around 45 minutes.
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Day 4 - the Peak District
Day 4 – the Peak District
The vast wilderness of the Peak District is waiting to be explored, with plentiful hiking and cycling routes to suit all abilities. Visitors seeking adventures can explore dark caves, try out rock climbing, or grab a canoe or paddleboard and head out onto the water. Others can relax in luxury spas and quaint countryside towns, making sure to try local delicacies such as Bakewell puddings and Stilton cheese.
Things to do in the Peak District
Getting to the Peak District from Derby
Derby is a gateway to the Peak District. The Sixes bus departs from Derby city centre every 15 minutes, calling at several destinations in the Peak District.
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Day 5 - Leicester
Day 5 – Leicester
Leicester is a vibrant, multicultural city. The influence of its diverse population can be felt all around, but nowhere stronger than in the Golden Mile, a street lined with Indian jewellery and saree shops, south Asian and east African restaurants. It hosts one of the world’s biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India, with thousands coming to light candles and admire fireworks. Discover the best things to do in Leicester.
Things to do in Leicester
Getting to Leicester from the Peak District
To reach Leicester from the Peak District, transfer in travel hub Derby. There are several direct trains from Derby to Leicester every day, with journeys taking 20-30 minutes.
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Ready to discover the East Midlands?
East midlands FAQs
Chatsworth House is located in the Derbyshire Dales, which is within the Peak District National Park in England. It’s known for a few reasons, including its appearance in productions such as the TV show Peaky Blinders and the films Pride and Prejudice (2005) and The Duchess (2008). It also houses an immaculate private art collection spanning 4,000 years, including pieces from Rembrandt, Van Dyck and Lucian Freud.
If visiting, be sure to also check the House’s website for upcoming events such as wellness festivals, talks and country fairs.
Sherwood Forest is located in Mansfield in Nottingham and takes around 1.5 hours to reach via public transport from the city centre. The forest is approximately 1,000 acres in size but was once much bigger, spanning an estimated 100,000 acres during the 1200s (the height of the legend of Robin Hood). It’s also home to The Major Oak, supposedly Robin Hood’s prime hideout, which is thought to be around 1,200 years old.
Belvoir Castle (pronounced “Beaver”) is located in Northeast Leicestershire in England near the border to Nottinghamshire. A castle was first built on the site in 1067, but through wars and fires much of the original was destroyed, leading to a rebuild in the 1800s. Sitting atop the Vale of Belvoir, it offers wonderful views over Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. The castle also has an adventure area for children and an animal park with goats, sheep and other cute farm animals.
Wollaton Hall was built in the 1500s and while the deer park and external grounds are free to explore, there is a charge to enter. The Hall, with its iconic Elizabethan architecture, featured as Wayne Manor in the 2012 film Batman Film, The Dark Knight Rises. The Hall and its grounds offer various history-related exhibitions and events throughout the year, as well as two museums.
Care should be taken when visiting between May to July as this is deer birthing season.