Southwell

Small town in Nottinghamshire, England, 24 km/15 mi northeast of Nottingham; population (2001) 6,600. The main industries are lacemaking, milling, and agriculture. The town is dominated by Southwell Minster (begun about 1110), which was designated a cathedral in 1884.

It is claimed that a church was first established here in 630 by Paulinus, the second bishop of York. The present church shows architectural styles from Norman (the nave) to Perpendicular Gothic, with 13th-century foliage carving in the chapter house, and a 14th-century screen.

In the town's Old Market Place is the Saracen's Head Hotel, an old coaching inn. From here, on 5 May 1647, Charles I went under escort to nearby Kelham and surrendered to the Scottish army. Bishop's Manor is the official residence of the bishop and there is an ancient grammar school.