Six miles west of Newark is the small market town of Southwell. There is much debate about whether this is pronounced 'South well' or 'Suthell'. You might like to pay it a visit and see what you think. In addition to narrow streets lined with interesting shops and places to stop for lunch or coffee, Southwell is home to the famous Minster, which is open daily to visitors and also to the all weather race course, which proved not to be quite so 'all weather' during the floods of 2007, but which has been repaired and is now open once again for horse racing.

Also at Southwell is the Workhouse, now in the care of the National Trust and open to visitors. There are special days at the Workhouse and you are recommended to check with the Web site before planning a visit. Southwell has a leisure centre.