Six of the ten most popular free attractions in the East Midlands are now in Notts and welcomed more than 1.5 million people between them in 2015.
Annual figures show a significant rise in the number of people going to local parks, gardens and nature reserves, with Rufford Abbey and Country Park (pictured) now the region’s most popular free location.
A total of 451,700 people visited the park in 2015 – which is actually 5.2 per cent fewer than the previous year.
But the total is still enough to make it the most popular free location across Notts, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
And five other local spots make the top ten of the league table compiled by VisitEngland – giving Notts six places – one more than in 2014.
Wollaton Hall and Deer Park is again in the top ten
There was reason to celebrate for Stonebridge City Farm in St Ann’s – it has entered the top ten after recording a huge increase of 25 per cent on its visitors in 2015, welcoming 87,500 people.
The farm’s operations director Stephen Gee said: “The farm has experienced the largest annual percentage increase in visitor numbers during the last year.
“We try to promote all of the attractions at the farm as well as developing new ideas which appeal to all ages.”
Visit England’s list of the top ten free attractions in the East Midlands in 2015
Only one Nottinghamshire tourist attraction is in the paid-for top ten – Nottingham Castle is in sixth with 223,864 visitors. It charged £6 for adult admission in 2015 – which has now risen to £7.
Chatsworth House in Derbyshire continues to dominate the paid-for rankings. It pulled in 622,191 visitors in 2015.
But across the paid and free categories there were some big increases for Notts places. Visitor numbers to the Workhouse, Southwell, have risen 24.8 per cent, while Newstead Abbey is up 24.3 per cent.
Newstead Abbey has seen a big increase in visitors
David Wallace, interim chief executive at Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “The survey reveals an impressive growth in visitor numbers at many of the Nottinghamshire attractions, which is an excellent result.
“We are also delighted to see the number of visitors across the East Midlands region increase by six per cent year-on-year – the largest growth in the country, along with the West Midlands and the South West regions, which also saw increases of six per cent.”
The top ten paid attractions are dominated by Derbyshire and Leicestershire locations
