Nottingham to York drive: Distance, time & best road trip stops

The best road trip stops on the Nottingham to York drive are Gulliver’s Valley, Cusworth Hall and Pontefract Castle. By car, the distance from Nottingham to York is 89 miles, with a 1h50m driving time.

Planning a Nottingham to York road trip itinerary

The drive from Nottingham to York takes you from the supposed home of Robin Hood to one of the most attractive – and attraction-packed – cities in England.

Top Nottingham experiences include a guided Victorian architecture walk and a Robin Hood-themed treasure hunt.

The historic walled city of York is one of the best places in Britain for visitors. Top York experiences include ghost walks, history-based walking tours, hop-on, hop-off bus tickets and chocolate bar-making workshops. For attractions, try the York DungeonYork Cocoa Works and the Jorvik Viking Centre,

Visitors planning to cram a lot in may be better off investing in a York City Pass, which covers entry to more than 25 attractions.

Nottingham to York distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Nottingham to York is 89 miles. That’s going along the shortest route via Doncaster, which follows the M1, M18, A1(M) and M64. Sometimes, however, it can be quicker to further up the M1 and join the A1(M) outside Leeds. Traffic permitting, you can expect a Nottingham to York driving time of around one hour and 50 minutes.

The best stops to add to a Nottingham to York road trip itinerary are Gulliver’s Valley, Cusworth Hall and Pontefract Castle.

Nottingham to York road trip attractions: Gulliver’s Valley

Gulliver’s Valley is a relatively new theme park on the outskirts of Rotherham, and it is one firmly aimed at children. There are a few rides, such as the pirate ship and rapids, that older kids will enjoy. But the sweet spot is probably four to eight year olds.

Overnight accommodation is available, while non-traditional theme park attractions include a small farm, an inflatables course, a handful of playgrounds and a mini golf course.

Nottingham to York drive: Cusworth Hall Museum and Park

Cusworth Hall is a Grade I listed building, built between 1740 and 1744. It is now home to a social history museum, but visitors can still head into the Great Kitchen where massive feasts were prepared. It’s also worth checking out the ceiling paintings in the chapel.

Otherwise, you can just enjoy the walking paths that lace through the grounds and the children’s play areas.

Nottingham to York road trip stops: Pontefract Castle

Pontefract Castle stands on a hill to the east of Pontefract. It was build in 1070, shortly after the Norman Conquest of England, and is now a ruin.

The grounds are open for strolling and exploration daily. The visitor centre tells how the castle played an important part in the English Civil War and was immortalised by Shakespeare in Richard II.

York Minster in York, England.
York Minster in York, England. Photo by Northern_Punkie/ Pixabay.

More Nottingham road trips

Nottingham to Birmingham | Nottingham to Bradford | Coventry to Nottingham | Doncaster to Nottingham | Nottingham to Leeds | Leicester to Nottingham | Nottingham to Newcastle.

More York road trips

Birmingham to York | Bradford to York | Darlington to York | Derby to York | Doncaster to York | Leeds to York | Manchester to York | Middlesbrough to York | Newcastle to York | Sheffield to York | Wakefield to York.