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Talented music students provide superb free concerts and also houses an extensive collection of ancient instruments, musical portraits and priceless manuscripts. The canteen is awful…

Towcester lays claim to being the oldest town in Northamptonshire. There is evidence that it was settled by humans since the Mesolithic era (middle stone age). There is also evidence of Iron Age burials in the area.

In Roman times the Watling Street road (now the A5) was built through the area and a garrison town called Lactodorum was established on the site of the present day town.

It is surrounded by beautiful Northamptonshire countryside and contains many “green” areas.

The local Race-course is free.

Nestling within a valley in Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe is a picturesque village full of history.

Marvel at the Major Oak (the location of Robin Hood’s lair), the quaint cricket pitch with nearby fair or the Norman church where Robin Hood married Maid Marrion.

The youth hostel is modern, cheap and a stone’s throw away from the forest.

Ahhh… the forest. But don’t just stay on the tourist trails. Explore and loose yourself in one of the most beautiful woodlands in Europe.

For the more active, try visiting the Sherwood Pines park to the south of the village and “Go Ape” on a specially constructed tree climbing, rope swinging adventure in the canopy of the forest.

Perhaps the Center Parc holiday village calls to you with its faux-tropical “space dome” swimming complex, water sport facilities and outdoor pursuits. (Book in advance from their website).

Finally, Edwinstowe is full of pubs of all types and descriptions, many of which serve food. If its food you’re after Edwinstowe has a curry house, fish and chip shop, chinese takeaway and pizz parlour.

Places nearby include Rufford Park (with historic links to D.H.Lawrence) and Clumber Park with its acres of parkland. Mansfield is a dump so avoid it at all costs. Nottingham (half an hour by car) is the place to go for more cosmopolitan entertainment.

Did I mention I was born and grew up in Edwinstowe..? :-P