Following months of closure for much of Ruddington’s usually bustling village centre, due to the unprecedented COVID-19 lockdown in March, it’s now “back to business” for most traders! With face coverings now required in shops, coupled with social distancing measures already in place to keep us safe, visitors are now returning in force.
Ruddington has always been a popular destination for shoppers wishing to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city and seek out our wide variety of independent retailers – most of them unique to the village – at a more leisurely pace.
Whether you’re looking for general groceries, meats, bread, deli items, cakes, desserts, plastic-free fruit and veg, eco-friendly products, specialist beers, cards, fancy goods, toys, flowers, plants, clothes, a brand new kitchen, replacement car (or bicycle!), gardening tools or DIY items, Ruddington offers them all – with plenty of “recycling” also possible via our three charity shops. You’re spoilt for choice for hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons – even with a parlour to pamper your pooch!
Numerous cafés are dotted about to offer rest, snacks and refreshment during your day trip – not to mention our SEVEN pubs – most of them now offering new al fresco alternatives for drinking and dining. A variety of other Ruddington hospitality venues includes restaurants, a cocktail bar and choice of takeaways – including the best fish ‘n’ chips south of the river!
A charming country hotel and boutique B&B are among the accommodation options for any non-residents not wanting to leave just yet. You could then use the extra time for visiting Ruddington’s three museums*, strolling around Rushcliffe Country Park, taking a trip on our steam railway* or just checking out the churches and other heritage sites – such as the graves of the Rorke’s Drift survivors.
The location and more information on all these attractions can be found in the handy guide booklet that RUDDINGTON.info produced in partnership with Nottingham City Transport. You can download it for free from the RUDDINGTON.info website.
Ruddington’s permanent retailers and tourist attractions are regularly complemented by other events – most notably Ruddington Village Market, which has now returned on the first Saturday morning of each month – when around three dozen socially distanced traders offer a wide variety of stalls on The Green.
Other regular fixtures on our village events calendar usually include RuddFest, the Summer Fayre, a biannual Makers’ Night, Ruddington Wakes Funfair and a Christmas Street Market – all of which it’s hoped can be reinstated in due course.
Meantime, new for this summer, is a Pop-up Beer Garden every Saturday and Sunday in the grounds of Grade II listed Easthorpe House, organised by Castle Rock Brewery. It’s hoped visitors will also discover the delights of the rest of Ruddington with a stroll down historic Easthorpe Street to the village centre whilst they’re here.
*N.B. The Framework Knitters’ Museum reopened on Wednesday 29th July for pre-booked tours, whilst The Great Central Railway (Nottingham) is due to make an announcement soon about resuming its heritage services. However, trustees at The Village Museum say it will remain closed until at least Easter 2021 due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Graham Wright via RUDDINGTON.info