Between Sheffield And Lincoln Is A Town With Craft Brews, Charming Shops, And Historic Beauty

North Nottinghamshire is in the heart of England. It's where you'll find Sherwood Forest, home to the legendary Robin Hood and palatial estates called The Dukeries. Colloquially known as the North Notts, the region is also dotted with historic market towns like Retford. The open-air market in Retford dates back to the 13th century, while Market Square is ringed by historic buildings showcasing 18th-century Georgian architecture, with stone facades influenced by classical Greece. During and outside of market days, the plaza and thin avenues branching off it are an excellent entry point to exploring Retford's heritage and finding a unique gift in one of the stalls or small shops.

History abounds in Retford's churches, a tree-lined canal, and cultural sites like the Majestic Theatre, which opened in 1927. The North Notts and Retford even have a connection to the American Pilgrims that can be explored in a prominent local museum. Naturally, the town is sprinkled with cozy English pubs and quality eateries, boasting a particularly good craft beer scene, with local brewers and bars specializing in artisanal ales and lagers.

Retford is around an hour's drive from many cities, like Lincoln (25 miles east) or Sheffield (30 miles west), while the train from London is only 90 minutes. Finding accommodation is also straightforward, with a selection of hotels, country-style inns, and guest houses. Walking the city parks and nature reserves of the North Notts might be best in spring or summer, but Retford also has a charm as the leaves change color in autumn. Furthermore, the town has a Christmas market and festival during the short days of winter.

London might be the best thrifting city in Europe, but Retford is also a spot to find rare gems. Retford's market received its charter from King Henry III way back in the mid-13th century. Held every Thursday and Saturday in the heart of town at Market Square, the market continues to host stalls offering a variety of goods, from apparel and homewares to fresh produce. On Fridays, it becomes an antique market with old-school treasures.

The historic buildings around the square host the town hall, local restaurants, and shops like the ridiculously quaint Hummingbird Collective. This retail space offers small local artisans the opportunity to sell their goods, featuring everything from handmade jewelry to home decor.  It also hosts the cozy Evie's Book Nook if you're looking for reading material. Kings' Park Antiques has unique vintage finds and a little tea room on the east side of Market Square, while Carolgate — an avenue leading out of the plaza's southeast corner – is lined with cafes and more Retford storefronts.

Retford is also a place for quality local beers sipped in laid-back settings. Harrison's Brewery is a local spot offering a selection of its craft beers at its downtown pub called The Brew Shed. Sitting canal-side, it's got a lovely terrace filled with picnic tables, and the elevated pub-style menu features grilled skewers, vegan options, and a Tomahawk Steak that'll set you back £64.99, as of the time of this writing. If you intend to follow Rick Steves secret to finding 'real ales' in Britain, check out Retford Craft House and order a hand-pulled cask ale. This small alehouse offers a handful of tables, a wide selection of craft beers, and a friendly atmosphere.

An informal Retford walking tour could start by admiring the architecture around Market Square, and then going north just off the main market area to St. Swithun's Church. The historic parish, which dates back to the 13th century, was heavily remodeled in the 15th century in a style known as Perpendicular Gothic, with bold upward lines and pointed arch windows. A 17th-century rebuild occurred following the central tower collapsing due to a storm. 

One block away, the Bassetlaw Museum has free entry and sits in a two-story Georgian-style townhouse, with exhibits on archaeology, art, and more. One of the most interesting collections is on the Mayflower Pilgrims and their connection to this region of north Nottinghamshire. Kings' Park offers a little nature escape in the heart of Retford. The River Idle flows through this sizable 24-acre green space, which has walking paths through beautifully landscaped gardens on its eastern half. On the other side of the river, there's a children's playground and seasonal water play area, making it perfect for a riverside stroll or a place to take the kids for an afternoon.

For wildlife watching, hiking trails, and a deeper nature experience, the Idle Valley Nature Reserve is only 2.5 miles from the city center. At over 900 acres, it's one of the largest nature areas in the region and has four trails, from wheelchair-friendly paths along a lake to 2-hour jaunts through the marshlands and meadows. It's a beautiful slice of nature where you're sure to catch a glimpse of wildlife like little ringed plovers at the water's edge, and maybe Longhorn cattle grazing in the fields. For more village and nature exploring, Louth is a quaint English town with antique shops near the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape.