The route of the old Nottingham Canal through Trowell is now a Local Nature Reserve. A historic landmark is the Church of St Helen, with fabric dating from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. Short routes through the open spaces of Trowell Open Space and the Nottingham Canal Trail for walkers and cyclists are additional highlights. When choosing where to stay, you can therefore consider Trowell according to your interests: natural surroundings and outdoor activity, or architectural and local history.
By the canal: natural surroundings and routes
Trowell Local Nature Reserve stretches from the boundary with Stapleford to the boundary with Cossall. These two boundary points give the reserve’s extent in the Trowell area a specific geographical context. The natural area lies along the route of the old Nottingham Canal, which runs through Trowell. This brings together the waterway’s history and its current status as a Local Nature Reserve in a clearly defined landscape theme.
The Nottingham Canal Trail offers another way to experience the canal. It runs along the disused Nottingham Canal and is open to walkers and cyclists. This makes the canal a route for two kinds of travel as well. For planning your trip, the distinction is useful: the nature reserve describes the landscape and its extent, while the trail offers the opportunity to explore the canal on foot or by bicycle. Depending on whether you want to focus mainly on nature or outdoor activity, Trowell offers different ways to enjoy the area.
Open spaces and short routes
Trowell Open Space offers a different focus. Short routes cross its mostly grassy open spaces, which include newly planted trees. These features distinguish it from the canal-side nature reserve: the emphasis here is on open grassland, short walks and tree planting. If open spaces and short routes are particularly important to you when choosing where to stay, Trowell Open Space offers a distinctive point of interest within the destination.
Church, bridge and local history
The Church of St Helen offers a specific point of reference for Trowell’s architectural history: its fabric dates from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. This encompasses three successive centuries rather than attributing the building to a single period. For travellers interested in historic architecture, this span is a precise reference point, distinct from a single dated event in the area’s history.
Swansea Bridge on the Nottingham Canal in Trowell also combines a historical context with specific architectural features. It is designated a Grade II Listed Building, is well preserved and is built of stone. The designation identifies its protected status; the stone construction and state of preservation add a description of the structure. The bridge therefore offers a different perspective on local history from the church: the focus here is on the designation and physical characteristics of a single bridge.
Another historical reference point is 1951, when Trowell was chosen as a Festival of Britain Village. This selection complements the Church of St Helen’s older fabric with a clearly dated chapter of 20th-century local history. The church, with its centuries-spanning architectural history, the designated stone bridge and this honour represent different cultural themes that can shape your view of Trowell.
If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Trowell, your interests can offer a starting point: would you rather focus on natural surroundings and routes, or on architectural and local history? The features described provide specific points of interest and keep your plans focused on Trowell itself.
Discover more destinations: Sibthorpe, Huthwaite, Worksop, Misterton, Southwell, Beeston, Haughton, Carlton
For the broader travel overview: Nottinghamshire.
