Southwell: Minster, History and Bramley Apple Tradition

Southwell combines an impressive history with walking trails, countryside and a distinctive apple tradition. At its heart is Southwell Minster: the church has been a place of worship for well over 900 years and has been the cathedral church of Nottinghamshire since 1884. Added to this are the former archbishop’s palace grounds, the Workhouse, trails along the River Greet and the history of the Bramley apple. For families, this creates a varied choice between culture, exercise and culinary discoveries.

Minster, Chapter House and Archbishop’s Palace

One particularly detailed part of Southwell Minster is the late-13th-century Chapter House. Its depictions of plants, animals and the so-called Green Men are collectively known as “The Leaves of Southwell”. Anyone wishing to explore the building’s history in greater depth can plan a guided tour. This covers 1,000 years of history and also includes the Chapter House.

The former palace of the Archbishop of York stands directly beside Southwell Minster, with its present form dating from the 14th century. The original proportions of the Great Hall have been preserved; the beams of the vaulted ceiling in the State Chamber are mostly medieval originals. The Palace Gardens lie between the palace’s impressive ruins and include shrubs, flowering plants, mature trees and lawns. This allows a cultural visit to be complemented by a more peaceful stay in the gardens.

Experience history and choose your trails

The Workhouse in Southwell was built in 1824 and is one of the best-preserved and most complete examples of its kind in England. The Infirmary, built in 1871 as part of the Workhouse and Infirmary, served people who were too ill to be accommodated in the Workhouse. Guided tours, exhibitions and activities explore the people who lived and worked there. The site also includes a reconstructed Victorian kitchen garden with heritage varieties, which visitors can explore.

For a shorter route, the Town Walk Trail begins at Church St Carpark and takes approximately 45 minutes. The Riverside Walk follows the River Greet from Upton Road to Greet Bridge on Normanton Road. Those who prefer a longer route can consider the 7.5-mile Southwell Trail. It runs from Southwell to Bilsthorpe and can be used on foot, by bicycle and on horseback. The 1.72-hectare Potwell Dyke Grasslands are the last remaining remnants of the Archbishop of York’s deer park and hunting grounds; Natural England designates them as Priority Habitat.

Bramley Apple, market and seasonal experiences

Southwell is closely associated with the Bramley apple. The two Bramley Heritage Trails celebrate Southwell as the home of this apple variety. In 2009, three Bramley apple trees were planted in the Community Orchard to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the world-famous apple. The garden of Bramley Tree Cottage is also home to the tree that produced the original Bramley apple.

At the Bramley Apple Festival of Food & Drink, dozens of exhibitors offer, among other things, pies, chocolate, jams, chutneys, pickled vegetables and sausages. The festival returns to Southwell Minster for its annual autumn date. In addition, Southwell Market takes place every Saturday from 8 a.m. on the Market Square, while the Southwell Music Festival takes place every year over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The right accommodation for planning your trip

When searching for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Southwell, you can use your preferred pace of travel as the starting point. Culture enthusiasts can include the Minster, Chapter House, palace and Workhouse; for active days, the Town Walk Trail, Riverside Walk or longer Southwell Trail are ideal. Those wishing to discover regional specialities and traditions can plan their trip around the market, Bramley Heritage Trails and the annual festival. This allows you to choose accommodation suited to the experiences you want to be at the heart of your stay, without limiting the trip to just one attraction.

For more local pages, you can also visit Misterton, Coddington, Blyth, Cuckney, Huthwaite, Whatton, Sutton Bonington and Torworth.

To the higher-level travel overview: Nottinghamshire.