The best towns in Nottinghamshire to live in

Nottinghamshire is one of those counties whose aesthetic is embedded firmly within British culture and mythology – its ornate architecture harkening back to romanticised periods in British history and its expansive forests being fitting of the birthplace of Robin Hood.  

There are a number of towns in Nottinghamshire that perfectly encapsulate the county’s spirit and we’ve picked a few of the ones we think do this best.

Why choose to live in Retford?

One of the oldest market towns in Nottinghamshire and, indeed, England as a whole, having been granted its first charter in 1105 – Retford’s story is one that stretches back centuries. 

Considered the birthplace of a number of cultural and religious movements – including the Pilgrims, the Wesleys and the Baptists – Retford is a town best suited to those with an appreciation for heritage and classical architecture. 

At its very centre, in its market square, the town’s Grade II listed Victorian-era Town Hall, with its ornate French-inspired design, continues to serve as a source of pride to locals and acts as a link between Retford’s past and present.

The town’s Bassetlaw Museum also acts as a tribute to North Nottinghamshire’s past – telling the story of its people and the county they helped shape.  

Retford is home to several primary schools as well as three secondary schools: The Retford Oaks Academy, The Elizabethan Academy and St Giles.

Retford is a town in Nottinghamshire that particularly appeals to commuters thanks to the fact that there’s a direct train service from Retford to London King’s Cross – getting commuters into the capital within an hour and a half. Other direct services include trains to Cleethorpes, Gainsborough, Grimsby, Lincoln, Sheffield, Worksop, and various stations across Scotland.

One of the more popular parks in Retford, especially amongst avid bird watchers, is the Idle Valley Nature Reserve – the largest of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves. 

Providing a home to over 250 bird species as well as several other protected creatures, the Idle Valley Nature Reserve is a cherished biodiverse space that provides an idyllic backdrop on a peaceful afternoon.  

One of the other beloved parks in Retford is King’s Park – which features a small skate park, a bowling green, a children’s play area, and some beautifully-maintained gardens. 

Beyond its parks, there are some lovely walks in Retford to be had by the River Idle – with its serene waters providing a therapeutic visual for hikers to take in.

If you have young children, one of the more popular theme parks in Retford is Sundown Adventureland. Specifically designed for children aged 10 and under, Sundown Adventureland is the perfect treat for your little one and also makes planning their next birthday party that much easier. 


There’s also the Retford Leisure Centre, which boasts both a gym and swimming pool, and the Retford Town Cricket and Sports Club, for cricket enthusiasts.


In terms of live entertainment, there are two main theatres in Retford with the larger of the two being the Grade II listed Majestic Theatre. The slightly smaller Retford Little Theatre showcases the town’s amateur drama groups. 


There are also a lovely selection of pubs and restaurants in Retford as well as a number of large supermarkets and independent shops in Retford too. The town also puts on a market every Thursday, Friday and Saturday too. 


We have a number of new builds in Retford currently available to buy, at our Trinity Fields development, so please feel free to get in touch if you’d like to know more about our new homes in Retford.

Why choose to live in Ruddington?

Ruddington is a large village just five miles out of Nottingham. Known for its green spaces and independent shops, the village provides those who want to live close to the city without actually living in the city a quieter alternative.  

With its many parks and museums, it’s also a great place to raise a family and, indeed, we have a number of new houses in Ruddington currently available at our Wilbur Chase development.

There are a number of nurseries and pre-schools in Ruddington including the Ruddington Day Nursery, the James Peacock Infant and Nursery School and the Hermitage Preschool – all of which are less than a five minute drive from our Wilbur Chase development. 

Schools in Ruddington include St Peter’s School – a Church of England school that achieved a rating of Good during its most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2022 – and Easthorpe School – a specialist school which caters to children 7-18, who struggle with social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH). 

From Ruddington, there are a number of regular bus services that will get you into the likes of Clifton, Loughborough and Nottingham – including a bus service that takes you to Nottingham Station. 

Homeowners living at Wilbur Chase will also benefit from Nottingham Station, only being a 15-minute drive away from our development. 

From Nottingham Station, it’s an easy commute to London St Pancras, with an hourly service getting you into the capital in just under 2 hours.  

Other services include trains to places like Birmingham New Street, Cardiff Central, Gloucester, Kettering, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool Lime Street, Loughborough, Market Harborough, and Sheffield.

If you enjoy a pleasant afternoon stroll, parks like The Green or St Mary’s Park may be the Ruddington park for you! 

However, if you’re after something a bit more active, there’s Vicarage Lane Playing Field or Elms Park, which features both a football and cricket ground. 

There’s also the Ruddington Grange Golf Club – a 6515 yard, Par 72 course situated in Ruddington Grange – a largely residential hamlet in Ruddington.  

Then, of course, there’s Sellors Playing Field which hosts Ruddington’s annual village fair. 

Ruddington also has a number of museums including the Ruddington Village Museum – which transports visitors to the Edwardian era, the Ruddington Framework Knitters’ Museum – which takes visitors through the working and living conditions of 19th century framework knitters, and the Nottingham Heritage Railway, taking off from the site of the old Ruddington Railway Station, visitors can admire vintage Ruddington trains of a bygone era.  

Most of the village’s shops can be found on Church Street, Dutton Hill or High Street. 

Get in touch with our team today to find out more about our new houses in Ruddington, at Wilbur Chase.

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