Nottingham comes alive this August with Robin Hood, live cricket and summer nights under the stars. Here’s what’s happening and what’s worth adding to your trip.

What’s Happening in Nottingham in August 2026?

   Robin Hood Festival 2026: The Mighty

Free walking tour Nottingham

Ask most people what they know about Nottingham and you’ll get one answer: Robin Hood. Nobody can actually prove he existed. The stories come from centuries of ballads and folklore; not a history book, but Nottingham has owned that legend harder than anywhere else on earth. Sherwood Forest which is just north of the city, is where the tale is set and every August it turns into a real medieval encampment.

This year is extra special: the festival’s 40th anniversary, with the final weekend from Saturday 29 to Monday 31 August, billed as the Grand Finale. The Sherwood Outlaws return with storytelling and combat displays and for the very first time, Historia Normannis brings 12th century daily life into the arena, knights, freemen and ladies of the court recreated in front of you. Add archery (some sessions cost extra), jousting and a medieval market and you’ve got a full day out.

Getting there: Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre is in Edwinstowe, about 20 miles north of Nottingham city centre which is  a 35 to 45 minute drive. Some bus routes also run there directly, so check current timetables before setting off.

Worth knowing before you go:

• Entry is free, though parking has a charge
• Comfortable shoes a must!
• Give yourself at least half a day
• Works well for families, couples and solo travellers.

The Hundred at Trent Bridge: Here’s What It Means

Cricket can be confusing if you’ve never watched it, so here’s the short version. The Hundred strips the sport down to its most exciting form: each team faces exactly 100 balls, so a match finishes in about two and a half hours, closer to a football match than a traditional test.

Trent Bridge is home ground for Trent Rockets, who played four home double header matchdays between 26 July and 10 August. Here’s the honest part: if you’re planning a trip after the 13th, the home matches for the year are already done. The tournament’s finals move to Lord’s in London on 16 August.

Trent Bridge still keeps busy through late August with a beer and cider festival and a live “An Evening of Queen” concert on Friday 28 August. Even without a match on, it’s one of English cricket’s most storied grounds which is worth a wander past if you’re a fan.

Outdoor Cinema at Wollaton Hall

Now for something that feels like it shouldn’t work but does: watching a film outdoors on the lawn of a 16th century mansion, with deer grazing nearby.
That’s Wollaton Hall’s Adventure Cinema, running Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August.

The lineup is genuinely fun. Friday night kicks off with Dirty Dancing, Saturday brings Sing along with a Queen themed cinema celebration and Sunday closes out with Bing for the little ones, Andrea Bocelli concert film and the exciting Jurassic Park as the finale.

You’ll sit on a sloping grass field with the historic hall lit up behind the screen. Bring a blanket or a camping chair (seating isn’t included unless you’ve booked premium tickets), pack a picnic and dress warmer . Screenings go ahead through light rain, so don’t cancel your plans over a cloudy forecast. Get there early enough to explore the deer park or step inside the hall before gates open.

Other Things to Do in Nottingham!

Once you’ve ticked off the big events, Nottingham still has plenty to offer:

• Nottingham Castle, rebuilt on a site with nearly a thousand years of royal and rebel history
• Old Market Square, the city’s central gathering spot
• City of Caves, a network of sandstone caves carved out beneath the streets
• Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, one of England’s oldest pubs, built into the rock beneath the castle
• The Lace Market, cobbled lanes that once ran the world’s lace trade, now full of independent cafes and shops
• Wollaton Hall and Deer Park, worth a proper visit beyond cinema nights, with wild deer roaming freely

If you’d rather not piece all this together on your own, a free walking tour connects the dots.

Don’t Miss This Free Walking Tour in Nottingham

Nottingham is one of England’s most underrated historic cities and the fastest way to actually understand it, not just walk past it, is on foot with someone who knows the stories behind the stones.

Planning a Weekend Around These Events?

Friday: City centre, Old Market Square, the Lace Market and  maybe a pint at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem.

Saturday: Sherwood Forest if the Robin Hood Festival lines up with your dates or Nottingham Castle and City of Caves.

Sunday: Wollaton Hall and Deer Park by day, outdoor cinema in the evening if your trip falls between the 28th and 30th.

Nobody catches every event on one trip and that’s fine. Build the weekend around whatever lands on your dates.

Practical Tips for Visiting Nottingham in August

• Pack layers and a light rain jacket, weather shifts quickly
• Wear shoes that are already broken in
• Book event tickets early, especially for the Wollaton Hall cinema nights
• The tram and bus network covers the city centre well, a car or bus suits Sherwood Forest better
• Double check gate and start times close to your visit date
• Keep cash or a card handy for parking and extras like archery

Planning a trip to Stuttgart? Read this next: Is Stuttgart worth visitng?

Frequently Asked Questions