Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


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



<p>Picture a high street teaming with Muddy Award-winning indies, a glut of great restaurants, fantastic local schools <em>and</em> some fab music festivals, right on your doorstep. Plus for office commuters and urban addicts, it’s only a short drive right to the centre of Nottingham.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>For daytime eats head to Muddy Award-winning café <a href="https://www.theoldtheatredeli.co.uk/">The Old Theatre Deli</a> or pick up perfect pastries at <a href="https://littlebrunettebakery.co.uk/">Little Brunette Bakery</a>. The très chic <a href="https://www.parisiennesouthwell.com/">La Parisienne Bistro</a> (the evening charcuterie boards are divine) is a must if you fancy ooh la la French cuisine. </p>



<p>For fantastic heart pub menus, you won’t be short of options – head to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/heartygoodfellowsouthwell/">The Hearty Goodfellow</a>, <a href="https://www.greatukpubs.co.uk/admiral-rodney-southwell?utm_source=gmb&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_campaign=homepage">The Admiral Rodney Pub</a>, <a href="https://www.saracensheadhotel.com/">The Saracens Head Hotel</a> and <a href="http://www.thefullmoonmorton.co.uk/">The Full Moon Inn</a> at Morton, just 10 mins drive away. Fancy a cracking Sunday roast? Locals flock to <a href="https://regtaylors.co.uk/tea-rooms/">Reg Taylor Tea Rooms</a>. Your date night and special occasions needs are catered a little further afield at <a href="https://crosskeysepperstone.co.uk/">The Kitchen at Cross Keys</a> and <a href="https://www.bromleyatfiskerton.com/">The Bromley</a> at Fiskerton. A little closer to Newark, <a href="https://www.farndonferry.co.uk/menus/">Farndon Ferry</a> is about 20mins away (but totally worth it).&nbsp;</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/LNID-shop.jpg" alt="Rebecca Gibbions outside Last Night I Dreamt, Southwell" class="wp-image-5885" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/LNID-shop.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/LNID-shop-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/LNID-shop-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/LNID-shop-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Muddy Award winner Last Night I Dreamt</figcaption></figure>



<p>Clothing boutiques first. A previous Muddy Award winner <a href="https://www.realclothingstore.co.uk/map">Real Clothing</a> has heaps of great brands to browse, as does <a href="https://www.wardrobe-southwell.co.uk/">Wardrobe at Southwell Boutique</a>, while <a href="https://www.instagram.com/core_southwell/?hl=en">Core Southwell</a> mainly focuses on stylish menswear.&nbsp;Looking to rent a dress for a big occasion? Try <a href="https://www.conscious-closet.co.uk/">Conscious Closet</a> which also puts on clothes sapping events and sells pre-loved prom dresses. For fabulous lingerie with a personalised fitting, nip to <a href="https://www.studiolingerieandresort.com/">Studio Lingerie and Resort</a>. If jewellery is your thing, you’ll fall in love with <a href="https://www.lastnightidreamt.co.uk/">Last Night I Dreamt</a>, voted Best Jeweller <em>nationally </em>in the 2023 Muddy Awards. </p>



<p>Into your vino? Then be sure to visit <a href="https://www.mrandmrsfinewine.co.uk/">Mr &amp; Mrs Fine Wine at The Wine Bank</a>. They have hundreds(!) of bottles to choose from.&nbsp;<a href="https://burleysgifts.co.uk/">Burley’s Gifts</a> has some beautiful classic gifts on offer, while something loud, bright and brash, <a href="https://homebytea.com/">Home By Tea</a> is full of statement pieces. And if you fancy some glorious blooms to top off your shopping spree, nip to <a href="https://www.gigilandbloom.com/">Gigil &amp; Bloom</a>.</p>



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



<p>There&#8217;s a pool, gym and fitness classes at <a href="https://www.active4today.co.uk/ourcentres/southwellleisurecentre/">Southwell Leisure Centre</a>. Need to re-balance? The Southwell Wellbeing Centre offers mindfulness meditation, breathwork. For yoga, you’ve got <a href="https://onewithnature.co.uk/">One With Nature</a> or <a href="https://www.hiddenrootsyoga.com/services-9">Hidden Roots</a> for ante and post-natal classes. For Pilates try <a href="https://www.minsterpilates.com/">Minster Pilates</a> or <a href="https://www.promisepilates.co.uk/about-contact/">Promise Pilates</a>. Like to feel the burn? <a href="https://bookwhen.com/feelgoodfitness#focus=ev-s4zu-20240914080000">Feelgood Fitness</a> offer kettlebell and bootcamp style classes. For dog walks and trail runs, Southwell Trail is a 7.5km bridleway from Southwell to Bilsthorpe to Southwell built on an old railway.</p>



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



<p>Southwell residents are passionate about their town and there is a strong sense of community. They recently raised money for the final push to get the smooth new skate park built and locals turn out for Saturday markets in Southwell Market Square. <a href="https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/reading-information/find-a-library/southwell-library/">The library</a> is in the heart of town and hosts kids’ events, concerts and readings. The Minister is at the heart of the community too with stacks going on, including an annual, top-quality classical music festival each August Bank Holiday and the popular Bramley Apple Festival every September.</p>



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



<p><a href="https://www.southwellminster.org/">Southwell Minster</a> is the crowning glory of the town with over 900 years of history to its name. It holds regular events, and the Christmas concerts are simply stunning.  Still on the heritage theme, <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-workhouse-and-infirmary">The Workhouse and Infirmary</a>, the fantastic <a href="https://www.museumoftimekeeping.org.uk/">Museum of Timekeeping</a> and <a href="https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/newarkcastleandgardens/">Newark Castle</a> are all a stone’s throw away. And if you’re in need of something a bit more exhilarating, <a href="https://www.southwell-racecourse.co.uk/">Southwell Racecourse </a>holds regular meets throughout the year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</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/23/2022/10/1-5.jpg" alt="Southwell Folk Festival Nottinghamshire" class="wp-image-1934" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/1-5.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/1-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/1-5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/1-5-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/1-5-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Southwell Folk Festival</figcaption></figure>



<p>Right in the heart of Southwell, you’ll find <a href="https://www.thehopbarn.org.uk/">The Hopbarn</a> a centre for music and creative performance that hosts great shows throughout the year in an intimate setting. Southwell Minster hosts dozens of amazing concerts, from candlelit classics to rock and pop. Hundreds of people also flock to the town’s fantastic annual festivals: the <a href="https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/">Southwell Music Festival </a>and <a href="https://www.gtsf.uk/">Southwell Folk Festival</a>.</p>



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



<p>The average overall price over this year is £426,457. That&#8217;s 3% up on the previous year and 13% up on the 2020 peak of £377,279.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/11/southwell-house-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-11047" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/11/southwell-house-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/11/southwell-house-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/11/southwell-house-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/11/southwell-house-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A grade II listed period gem in the heart of Southwell. <a href="https://www.smithandpartners.co.uk/property/498">On the market for £770,000.</a></figcaption></figure>



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



<p><a href="http://www.prebendpreschool.co.uk/">Prebend Pre-school</a> has lots to offer little ones with woodland learning and yoga sessions – it was rated good in 2019 too.&nbsp;There’s also <a href="https://www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/nursery/southwell">Busy Bees Day Nursery</a> and <a href="https://www.childrenshousesouthwell.co.uk/">Children’s House Southwell</a> which were rated Outstanding in 2015 and 2016 so we hope to see this again from a new inspection.</p>



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



<p>Take your pick! <a href="https://www.southwellholytrinity.org.uk/">Holy Trinity CofE Infant School </a>and <a href="https://www.loweswong-inf.notts.sch.uk/">Lowe’s Wong Infant School</a> have both been rated as outstanding, and <a href="https://www.halamprimary.org.uk/">Halam Church of England Primary School</a> was Good prior to becoming part of the Minister Multi-Academy Trust. <a href="https://www.loweswong-jun.notts.sch.uk/">Lowe’s Wong Anglican Methodist Junior School </a>was rated ‘Good’ in 2019. For secondaries, <a href="https://www.minster.notts.sch.uk/">The Minster School</a> became part of the Trust in 2018 and hasn’t been inspected since – previously it has been outstanding, and many parents locally rave about it.&nbsp;<br><br>For independent schools, you&#8217;ll need to hop in the car for <a href="https://www.salterfordhouseschool.co.uk/">Salterford House School</a> is in Calverton and <a href="https://www.wellowhouse.notts.sch.uk/">Wellow House School</a> or <a href="https://highfieldsschool.co.uk/">Highfields</a> in Newark. <a href="https://nottinghamgirlshigh.gdst.net/">Nottingham Girls’ High School GDST</a> and <a href="https://nottinghamhigh.co.uk/">Nottingham High School </a>are both award-winners so worth visiting before making a decision. All-rounder <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/review-mount-st-marys-college-derbyshire/">Mount St Mary&#8217;s College</a> boarding and day school, and its prep <a href="https://www.msmcollege.com/prep">Barlborough Hall</a>ll are about 20 miles away.</p>



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



<p>Here’s a fun fact for parties and pub quizzes, Southwell is home to the original Bramley Apple Tree. Still bearing fruit after 200 years, it grew out of one pip planted by Mary Anne Brailsford in 1809. To celebrate its history, Southwell’s <a href="https://www.southwellminster.org/events/event/bramley2021/">Bramley Apple Festival</a> happens every year in October with live cookery demonstrations and loads of stallholders.</p>



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



<p>Nipping to Nottingham in the car will take you about 30 mins, and it’s about an 1 hr on the bus. If a trip to the capital is on the cards, it&#8217;s about a 3hr drive to London. Hop on the train from Notts instead, and it’ll take you 1 hr 45 mins.&nbsp;</p>



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


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