Nottinghamshire Day 2026 with Inspire

Take a trip through Notts in years gone by. Search our Inspire Picture Archive and discover thousands of images of people, places and moments in time all shared by people just like you. Explore our recommended collections, or use the search function to find images from your local area. Access to the collection is free, and we can provide digital copies for just a small fee.

The Major Oak - Keeping its memory alive

We're inviting members of the public - whether you're a Nottinghamshire local or from farther afield - to upload your photographs and memories of this incredible tree to our online Inspire Picture Archive.

We already have over 100 photographs of the Major Oak preserved on the Inspire Picture Archive, including photos documenting some of the struggles it has faced, as well as some of the early conservation efforts, but we'd love to grow the collection even more.

If you have any photos, old or new, that you'd like to submit, please head to inspireculture.org.uk/IPA

To view the Major Oak image collection, head to inspirepicturearchive.org.uk, and click on the tile that says 'Major Oak'.

Author Visits in a Library Near You

Discover inspiring author events at Inspire Libraries this autumn. Meet bestselling local crime writer Stephen Booth as he tours Nottinghamshire libraries, take part in creative poetry workshops led by Nottingham-based independent publishers Bad Betty Press, and celebrate the publication of Where the Earth Holds Secrets with acclaimed novelist Eve Makis.

Find out what's happening at a library near you!

Join us for The Books we Love: Inspire's Favourite Reads Panel Event

With local writer Cara Thompson, poet, educator and creative producer Dr Becky Cullen and Director of Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature, Hannah Trevarthen, this lively panel event will delve into the books that feature on the Inspire Favourite Reads shortlist. 

The evening will also explore the books the panel personally love - the titles they return to, recommend endlessly and would place on their own favourite reads lists. Expect an entertaining and thoughtful evening full of reading inspiration.

Adult event.

Thursday 27 August | 7pm

West Bridgford Library, £5

Book tickets

An exhibition to pay tribute to Nottinghamshire's veteran community and keep their stories alive. This project embraces the ripple effect of paying it forward.

Photographer Paul Saxby hopes that his acts of kindness in giving his time freely to capture images, and their backstories, will generate waves of goodwill throughout the community.

Intrigued? Come and be astounded by his portraits and the related inspirational memoirs.

The portraits in this exhibition all have a backstory and many are accompanied by short interviews conducted by Paul at the time of the photoshoots.

Everyone has an extraordinary story to tell. 

On display 19 July - 28 August at Worksop Library. Find out more about the exhibition.

This year, Nottinghamshire celebrates the 80th Anniversary of the ending of the Second World War with Victory Nottinghamshire, an exhibition showcasing the war effort made by those on the home front and frontlines. From the darkest days of the Nottingham Blitz to playing its part in training the aviators of Bomber Command, Victory Nottinghamshire tells the story of the people and county of Nottinghamshire and how they helped the Allies achieve victory. 

Included is the story of the unique Home Guards Patrol Boats to the bravery of the Boots George Cross medal winners, as well as American Paratroopers and Bevin Boys; this exhibition will give visitors an insight into how all came together and played a vital role in the allied victory.

On display at Beeston Library between 2 - 29 September. Find out more about the exhibition.

Celebrate knitting, crochet and the amazing generosity of crafters across the county!

You can see the beautiful knitted scarves from our 2025 Inspire Charity Knitting Challenge at West Bridgford Library between 16 August - 29 September.

We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who generously donated their time and skills to create hundreds of knitted and crocheted scarves for people in need this winter. Another big thank you to Nottinghamshire knitwear designer Jane Withers who designed this years' colourful knitting pattern and inspired crafters across the county to get creative for a good cause. 

At the end of the exhibition all of the scarves will be donated to our project partners Trussell.

Find out more about the exhibition: Wrapped!

Pick up the Time to Connect Nottinghamshire art trail this summer! Discover six unique sculptures at six Nottinghamshire venues, including RSPB Sherwood Forest Nature Reserve, Vicar Water Country Park, Newstead Abbey, Papplewick Pumping Station, Rufford Abbey and Bestwood Country Park. 

These sculptures celebrate Nottinghamshire's heritage and landscapes, connecting local artists, community groups, and schools through art.

Our Time to Connect trail is part of a larger national project by British photographer Alistair Morrison, kicking off right here in Nottinghamshire and continuing in all 100 UK counties!

The trail is free and available to pick up at your local library, Nottingham Travel and Tourism Centre, or you can view it on online: Time to Connect Nottinghamshire