Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Just 10 miles north-east of Nottingham, surrounded by rolling green fields, great gastropubs and good schools, Lowdham is a magnet for fresh-air-seeking families. The village has a lively community, fabulous schools within easy reach and feels rural, but not remote. With a train station on the Nottingham to Lincoln line and the two main roads that slice through the village providing speedy access out, Lowdham is a great spot for commuters or culture vultures who don’t want to give up city nightlife just yet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Untitled-design-317.jpg" alt="The Railway Lowdham Nottinghamshire exterior lit up at night" class="wp-image-10646" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Untitled-design-317.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Untitled-design-317-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Untitled-design-317-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/10/Untitled-design-317-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Railway</figcaption></figure>



<p>It may be rural but there are some great gastropubs on the doorstep, many within staggering distance. Award-winning gastropub <a href="https://railwaylowdham.co.uk/">The Railway</a> is a good place to start, with a great garden and terrace where they host summer gigs. Family-run village pub <a href="https://www.theworldsend-lowdham.co.uk/">The World’s End</a> has home-cooked food and a roaring log fire. For great value pub grub, try <a href="https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/nottinghamshire/magna-charta">Magna Charta</a> or <a href="https://theoldshipinnlowdham.com/">The Old Ship Inn</a>, both of which have big beer gardens for summer drinking.</p>



<p>Just outside the village, you’ll find two great gastropubs,&nbsp;<a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/ye-olde-bridge-inn-southwell-notts/">Ye Olde Bridge Inn</a>&nbsp;in Oxton and&nbsp;<a href="https://oldvolpub.co.uk/">The Old Vol</a>&nbsp;in Claythorpe. Both have fabulous, big beer gardens and kids’ play areas so are popular for al fresco dining in the summer. Just beyond you’ll find another great gastropub, Michelin Guide recommended <a href="https://reindeerpub.com/">The Reindeer</a> at Hoveringham. For fine dining, it’s just a few miles to wow wedding venue&nbsp;<a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/woodborough-hall-woodborough/">Woodborough Hall</a>&nbsp;has an elegant restaurant that opens for luxe lunches throughout the week and intimate dinners at the weekends.</p>



<p>After daytime eats? Jo-hanna&#8217;s Cafe &amp; Bistro is a chilled little place on Main Street known for its lovely lunches and friendly service. Or head up the road to <a href="https://www.nolanotts.co.uk/">Nola</a>, a cute coffee and deli on the main street in Burton Joyce. Expect creative food, excellently done coffee and a stylish interior. There’s also a good local chippie there, <a href="https://www.bjsfishbar.co.uk/">Burton Joyce Fish Bar</a> – essential! It even has proper vegan options.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2080" height="1560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Dov_779X4AED3Vx.jpeg" alt="THE BOOKCASE BOOKSHOP IN LOWDHAM NOTTINGHAMSHIRE" class="wp-image-10648" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Dov_779X4AED3Vx.jpeg 2080w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Dov_779X4AED3Vx-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Dov_779X4AED3Vx-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Dov_779X4AED3Vx-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Dov_779X4AED3Vx-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Dov_779X4AED3Vx-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2080px) 100vw, 2080px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Bookcase Lowdham</figcaption></figure>



<p>There’s a Co-op, Post Office and a chemist, but you’ll need to head into Arnold, about 10 minutes away, for a big shop (there’s an Asda and Tesco superstore). Bibliophiles will be happy to find Muddy Award-winning bookshop&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thebookcase.co.uk/">The Bookcase</a>, the village’s beloved book shop at the heart of Lowdham &#8211; brilliant for everything from romping reads and kids’ books to local interest and hard-to-find gems. <a href="https://britishgardencentres.com/woodborough-green-garden-centre/">Woodborough Green Garden Centre</a>&nbsp;is handy to have nearby too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Your nearest Saturday morning <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/gedling/course/">Parkrun</a> is a beauty – an undulating (runner speak for hilly!) single lap figure of eight course set in the grounds of Gedling Country Park. Nearby Hoveringham Lake Nature Reserve has a lovely circular 8km for walks and trail runs and, if wild swimming is your thing, it’s geared up for <a href="http://loveopenwater.co.uk/nottingham-open-water-swimming/">open water swimming.</a></p>



<p>The village has football, cricket and tennis clubs and Muddy Award-winning fitness instructor <a href="https://lornamariefitness.co.uk/">Lorna Marie Fitness</a> is based in Lowdham – although her online offering means you can do her classes from anywhere. Aches and pains from overdoing it? Book in for a sports massage from <a href="https://central-therapy.uk/lowdham-sports-therapy/">Central Therapy</a>, a sports injury and rehab clinic tucked behind Johanna’s Café.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>The village hall is the beating heart of the village and hosts concerts, fairs and charity events.&nbsp;But the annual highlight is Lowdham Book Festival each June with a packed programme of talks, book readings and brilliant kids’ events.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Lowdham-wallabies-wheelgate-park-2.jpg" alt="Wheelgate Park wallabies at animal farm Lowdham Nottinghamshire" class="wp-image-10512" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Lowdham-wallabies-wheelgate-park-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Lowdham-wallabies-wheelgate-park-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Lowdham-wallabies-wheelgate-park-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Lowdham-wallabies-wheelgate-park-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/WheelgatePark/">@WheelgatePark</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Plenty for kids nearby, with family-friendly theme park <a href="https://www.wheelgatepark.com/">Wheelgate Park</a> and <a href="https://www.whitepostfarm.co.uk/">White Post Farm</a> (a dead cert for littlies) just a 15-minute drive north. For lovely, leafy trails and a fab adventure playground, head to&nbsp;<a href="https://gedlingcountrypark.com/">Gedling Country Park</a>. For heart-pumping action The National Watersports Centre and adventure activities galore are 20 mins away at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nwscnotts.com/">Holme Pierrepont</a>&nbsp;Country Park. Day-out destinations&nbsp;like Sherwood Forest,&nbsp;Rufford&nbsp;Abbey Park and Clumber Park are all within easy reach too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>The closest theatre and cinema is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boningtontheatre.co.uk/">Bonington Theatre</a>, while Southwell’s stunning&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southwellminster.org/whats-on/">Minster</a>&nbsp;hosts regular concerts and art installations and is just seven miles. Nottingham city’s vibrant venues and galleries are just 20 min drive away. Browse brilliant modern art at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nottinghamcontemporary.org/">Nottingham Contemporary</a>, with its lacy exterior designed by artist Louise West (then unearth quirky gifts in its very cool shop). For theatres and music&nbsp;<a href="https://trch.co.uk/">Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/">Nottingham Playhouse</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.motorpointarenanottingham.com/">Motorpoint Arena</a>&nbsp;are all close by.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-price">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>Becoming more affordable. The average house price in Lowdham was £334,583 over the last year &#8211; 22% down on the previous year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Baslow-Mill-House.jpg" alt="stone house by river derwent in baslow" class="wp-image-10498" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Baslow-Mill-House.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Baslow-Mill-House-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Baslow-Mill-House-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Baslow-Mill-House-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This pretty period cottage offers a big garden, beams and period features galore. <a href="https://www.johnsonsandpartners.co.uk/property-details/33395707/-/nottingham/red-lane" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market at £650,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://kindrednurseries.co.uk/our-nurseries/kindred-lowdham-nursery-and-pre-school">Kindred</a> nursery and <a href="https://www.kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk/find-a-nursery/lowdham/">Kids Planet Lowdham</a> are both popular picks and rated Good by Ofsted. There’s also <a href="https://www.hugofox.com/community/lowdham-preschool-13155/home">Lowdham Preschool</a> in the village hall (also rated Good) which runs forest school sessions at its forest base in Brackenhurst.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Gotta love an outstanding state school and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lowdhamprimaryschool.co.uk/">Lowdham CofE Primary School</a>&nbsp;was crowned by Ofsted last year. In the other direction, there’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stwilfridsprimary.com/">St Wilfrid’s CofE Primary School</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.manorparkcalverton.co.uk/">Manor Park Infant and Nursery School</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sirjohnsherbrooke.co.uk/">Sir John Sherbrooke Junior School</a>&nbsp;in nearby Calverton, all rated Good at their last inspections.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salterfordhouseschool.co.uk/">Salterford House</a>&nbsp;prep school is also nearby.</p>



<p>For secondaries, it’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cfsacademy.org.uk/">Colonel Frank Seely Academy</a>, rated Good in 2022 or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theredhillacademy.org.uk/">Redhill Academy</a>, last rated Outstanding but way back in 2013. Further afield in Southwell, there’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.minsterschool.org.uk/">The Minster School</a>&nbsp;(rated Outstanding in 2011 but due an inspection since converting to Academy status). The excellent&nbsp;<a href="https://nottinghamgirlshigh.gdst.net/">Nottingham Girls’ High School</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nottinghamhigh.co.uk/">Nottingham High School</a>&nbsp;are both within reach too.&nbsp;<a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/review-ranby-house-school-retford-north-notts/">Ranby House</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsnl.co.uk/">Worksop College</a>&nbsp;are both accessible too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Lowdham has lofty literary connections. The handsome three-storey red brick house just across the bypass was once the notorious Lowdham Mill. The torrid stories of child labour there are thought to have been <a href="https://nottinghamcityofliterature.com/blog/literary-locations-41-lowdham-mill/">inspiration</a> for Charles Dickens when he penned Oliver Twist.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>It’s an easy 30 min drive into Nottingham city centre, or hop on the train (yep, the village has its own station on the Nottingham to Lincoln line) and you’ll be in there in a speedy 15 mins. The closest airport is East Midlands (21 miles).</p>



<p><em>Main image credit: The pond at Lowdham Mill, by <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">Richard Vince</a></em></p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Lowdham

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