Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<p>Whether you’re searching for a sedate culture and café hit with the in-laws or a full day with the kids in tow, the historic rural <a href="https://www.welbeck.co.uk/experience/learn/the-school-of-artisan-food">Welbeck Estate</a> in the heart of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, offers that rare cross-generational combo that keeps everyone happy. Day out toute seule? That works too. </p>



<p>I dropped in to enjoy a blissful morning wafting around all things arty. Having heard whispers of the estate’s newly-opened country house for hire, I had a good nose around the gorgeous new interiors of Cuckney House too. Oh. My. Word. Start saving for your next Big Birthday bash now. Just one of the reasons we love Welbeck. Here’s why you need to head to this historic Notts’ estate pronto.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-home-to-the-most-perfect-party-house">It’s home to the most perfect party house</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/23/2023/07/Cuckney-House.-Photography-by-Alex-Wilkinson-Media-134-of-159.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5444" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Cuckney-House.-Photography-by-Alex-Wilkinson-Media-134-of-159.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Cuckney-House.-Photography-by-Alex-Wilkinson-Media-134-of-159-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Cuckney-House.-Photography-by-Alex-Wilkinson-Media-134-of-159-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Cuckney-House.-Photography-by-Alex-Wilkinson-Media-134-of-159-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Oh. My. Goodness. The just-opened, spectacularly refurbished Grade II listed 18th-century <a href="https://www.welbeck.co.uk/experience/stay/holiday-cottages/cuckney-house">Cuckney House</a> is a stunner. With space to sleep 31 people in 15 beautiful bedrooms, I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather splash my cash for a very special celebration with family or friends. Rooms are spacious yet cosy. The décor (by award-winning interior designer <a href="https://www.rachelmclane.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rachel McLane</a>), is tasteful, classic and timeless – it feels elegant and luxe but in a homely way.</p>



<p>It&#8217;s been cleverly thought-out for cross-generational gatherings, with two lovely accessible garden room bedrooms, a very cool games room and new tennis court, table tennis and garden games outside. The communal areas are gorgeous (especially the huge open-plan kitchen/diner that lends itself to hanging out in) and there are hot tubs, an outdoor kitchen and pizza oven for summer chilling. Wedding parties love it here and it&#8217;s easy to see why. Looking for something smaller? Pick from a selection of <a href="https://www.welbeck.co.uk/experience/stay/holiday-cottages/">holiday cottages</a> on the estate sleeping between three and eight.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-foodie-paradise">It’s foodie paradise</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Welbeck-Farm-Shop.jpg" alt="Veggies at Welbeck Farm Shop, Notts" class="wp-image-5955" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Welbeck-Farm-Shop.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Welbeck-Farm-Shop-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Welbeck-Farm-Shop-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Welbeck-Farm-Shop-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Welbeck-Farm-Shop-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Welbeck-Farm-Shop-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A focus on low food miles and rich food heritage has earned&nbsp;<a href="http://www.welbeckfarmshop.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Welbeck Farm Shop</a>&nbsp;an excellent reputation. Its award-winning butchery specialises in rare breed meats and wild game from the estate and surrounding Sherwood Forest, and it stocks artisan food made on site at Welbeck Bakehouse, in Welbeck Abbey Brewery and Welbeck Dairy. Having missed out on breakfast thanks to a particularly crazy morning miraculously making three packed lunches from empty-shelves, I succumbed to an amusingly (and aptly)-named Chubby Bugger, a super-sized scone that was delish.</p>



<p>Just across the courtyard, you’ll find <a href="https://www.welbeck.co.uk/experience/visit/the-harley-caf%C3%A9">Harley Café</a> dishing up food from the estate in a lovely setting (great outdoor seating area for sunny days too).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-free-museums">The free museums</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/Harley-Gallery-exterior.jpg" alt="Statues of horse and foal at The Harley Gallery, Welbeck Estate, Notts" class="wp-image-5956" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Harley-Gallery-exterior.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Harley-Gallery-exterior-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Harley-Gallery-exterior-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Harley-Gallery-exterior-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Contemporary or historic art? Take your pick from the&nbsp;award-winning <a href="https://www.welbeck.co.uk/experience/visit/harley-gallery">Harley Gallery</a> showing ever-changing exhibitions by leading modern artists and makers, or the <a href="https://www.welbeck.co.uk/experience/visit/the-portland-collection">Portland Collection</a> displaying the historic art collection of the Dukes of Portland and their families.</p>



<p>The Portland is filled to the brim with portraits, jewels and a giant cabinet of curiosities, as well as stunning star items like Michelangelo’s ‘Madonna of Silence’. The Harley Gallery is a more relaxed space and has a gorgeous gift shop with covetable objets d’art, jewellery and giftable goodies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-wonderful-walks">The wonderful walks</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/Harley-art-trail.jpg" alt="Harley Art Trail, Welbeck Estate" class="wp-image-5957" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Harley-art-trail.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Harley-art-trail-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Harley-art-trail-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Harley-art-trail-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>When you’ve had your culture fix, there are four fab circular walks to choose from. The leafy <a href="https://www.welbeck.co.uk/experience/visit/walks-at-welbeck/the-harley-art-trail">Harley Art Trail</a> is especially lovely, taking in everything from cave art to contemporary art and leading from The Courtyard at Welbeck up to Creswell Crags (which also has free entry).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-can-pick-up-new-skills">You can pick up new skills</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/artisan-bread.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5959" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/artisan-bread.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/artisan-bread-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/artisan-bread-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/artisan-bread-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/artisan-bread-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/artisan-bread-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Along with crafty courses like pottery, there’s a packed calendar of cool cookery courses at Welbeck’s <a href="https://www.welbeck.co.uk/experience/learn/the-school-of-artisan-food">School of Artisan Food</a>. Opt for a hands-on half-day session in anything from therapeutic baking to fermentation and pickling. Or sign up for a full six-month diploma in artisan baking. Drinking more your thang? Book onto a tour of neighbouring <a href="https://www.welbeck.co.uk/work-live/work/current-businesses/welbeck-abbey-brewery">Welbeck Abbey Brewery.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-a-sneak-peek-inside-welbeck-abbey">For a sneak peek inside Welbeck Abbey</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/23/2023/07/Welbeck-Abbey-.jpg" alt="Welbeck Abbey" class="wp-image-5441" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Welbeck-Abbey-.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Welbeck-Abbey--300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Welbeck-Abbey--768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Welbeck-Abbey--788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>History buff? Book yourself onto a <a href="https://www.welbeck.co.uk/experience/visit/welbeck-abbey-state-room-tours">tour of the abbey</a> (£30pp) and nose around vivid pink tapestries, glide down the imposing Gothic Hall and gaze at floor-to-ceiling gilt framed Rococo mirrors. The guided tour is fascinating and you’ll be discover some of the earliest 17th century rooms, as well as an amazing Arts and Crafts decorative collection in the private chapel, library and long curved corridor.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.welbeck.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Welbeck Estate</a>, Welbeck, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, S80 3LL</em></p>


6 reasons we love the Welbeck Estate, Notts

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