Southwell

Southwell sits within Newark and Sherwood as a small market town centred on Southwell Minster, the parish church with a prominent Norman nave and a vaulted Chapter House. The Chapter House contains a ring of carved stone capitals decorated with leaves, faces and animals from the 13th century, noted by historians and visible to visitors. Nearby, the National Trust-run Workhouse museum explains 19th-century poor law administration, and Southwell Racecourse hosts regular fixtures on the edge of town. Shops, cafés and a market square line the main streets.

The River Greet flows through Southwell, defining pockets of green and towpaths used by walkers. Surrounding farmland and lanes link the town to a network of hamlets and parish churches across the district. Local services include a civic hall, primary and secondary schools and community groups that run seasonal events and markets. Transport connections to Newark and Nottingham are by road and local bus routes, making Southwell a base for people working across the wider area.