Mansfield can sometimes get a bad rap, but don’t let that shape your judgement! The town has come under a lot of changes in recent years. Find out below where you should be going and what you should be doing in this hidden gem of a town.
1. When you’re hungry-
Blue Chilli Thai Restaurant is an authentic, family run Thai restaurant that for some reason often goes unnoticed! Don’t let the average looking exterior of the place fool you, because the food is probably some of the best that Mansfield has to offer. You can choose to either have a set menu or go a la carte. Either way, make sure you try the king prawn green curry if you ever find yourself in there- you will not be disappointed.
If you’re more of a fancy burger and fries kinda guy/girl, or would prefer to dig your teeth into some pork ribs then opt for The Red Bar & Grill. Located on Bancroft Lane, this place serves great American style smokehouse food, complete with great décor and atmosphere and a pleasantly surprising presentation of food- you even get little wipes to clean those grubby mitts after your meat feast.
Panic not if you are dining with a vegetarian though, The Red can do vegetarian options of most of their dishes too, so there’s something for everyone.
An honourable mention goes to Beau-Ti-Ful Tearooms. It’s fairly new on the scene but it is without a doubt the best place for afternoon tea for miles around. If you like tea, sandwiches, cake and gift shops, go there immediately!
Beau-ti-ful Tearoom, Mansfield
2. When you fancy a drink –
Believe it or not there’s some pretty swanky bars in Mansfield and if you choose to stay local rather than heading out into Nottingham City Centre there’s no reason to feel like you have missed out at all!
It’s not really hidden, as a lot of people love this place, but it’s definitely a gem! The Brown Cow is a very friendly pub serving a nice selection of quality real ales and ciders in a comfy and cosy setting .But what we all like most of all, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to have a couple of drinks there.
It is well worth checking out the diverse range of other bars available here. You’ll be surprised by how much Mansfield has to offer. We recommend paying a visit to ‘andwhynot’ bar and restaurant if you’re in the mood for some good music and cocktails.
3. When you want to get outdoors –
We’ve got two places to mention for this one. Firstly, Carr Bank Park is the number one hot spot for those days where you fancy a little walk or a picnic in the outdoors. Carr Bank is a Green Flag status park – which means it is one of the very best in the UK. The grounds are kept neat, tidy and safe for the public to enjoy and there is plenty of lovely greenery. Look out for free brass band performances and activities with the kids during summer months, too.
If you fancy a longer and more challenging walk, then go for the Maun Valley trail. This walk follows the river Maun all the way around the back of The Stags ground and is quite a few miles in length, but it’s definitely worth it for the wildlife and scenery you get to enjoy along the way.
4. When you want to explore history-
With the legacy of Robin Hood pretty much on your doorstep, why would you not go and explore the woodlands of Sherwood Forest where Robin and his merry men so famously did inhabit (or so the story goes).
Take yourself down to Sherwood Forest Country Park in nearby Edwinstowe, follow leafy trails, spot the various birds en route and maybe try your hand at archery if you fancy it.
Sherwood Forest was once an area of woodland stretching over 30 miles but has since become fragmented due to the woodlands being used for building materials. This means there are multiple country parks in Nottinghamshire that are all part of the original Sherwood Forest, such as Clumber Park and Rufford Abbey Country Park.
Woodland in Sherwood Forest
5. When the kids are bored –
It’s a pain when the kids are bored. For a fun day out that’s great fun, encourages your kids to be active (and also a great place for birthday parties), then get yourself down to Water Meadows.
This is not just an ordinary swimming centre. There’s much more to it than that, here you will find wave machines, a twister flume, geysers and water cannons- plus for the very young kids, there’s a pirate galleon.
The Mighty Falling Rapids can be a real family experience as several people can descend the rapids at once. Put it this way, the kids will certainly not be bored here.
Other than all of this, if you do fancy getting away for the day (not that you really need to now!) then take yourself down to the Train Station and go wherever you fancy. Did you know, back in 2002, Mansfield Town Railway Station won “Best Railway Heritage Scheme Award” beating big city stations Piccadilly in Manchester and Temple Arch in Bristol?
The Belvoir Mansfield Team
