Town tourism thriving

Thousands of people visited events and attractions in Southwell last year, the town’s tourism manager has revealed.

Mrs Honor Dunkley said 100,000 visited Southwell Minster, 69,000 visitors went to Southwell Racecourse, 41,000 to The Workhouse, and 5,000 attended the Gate To Southwell Folk Festival.

In addition, 6,264 visitors used the town’s tourist information office.

Mrs Dunkley told Southwell and District Business Club: “There is a lot going on in Southwell and all the events are good for the town and good for business.”

She said the two main events organised by the town council each year were the family fun day, held in summer, and the Christmas lantern walk.

Mrs Dunkley said in addition to the annual events, a sculpture exhibition would be held at Reg Taylor’s Garden Centre this year for the second time.

She said: “Sculpture In The Sanctuary was really successful in 2009, when we had 12,500 visitors. This year we have got 100 exhibitors and 500 sculptures.”

An event will also be held at the minster on November 5 to mark the 300th anniversary of a fire that burnt the roof of the nave.

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