Nottingham is the fastest growing city in the country, with new and exciting things to see and do springing up all the time. From great bars and restaurants to fun and interesting tourist attractions, there is plenty to keep you entertained.
Around 20% of the population are in their twenties, meaning that Nottingham has a lively nightlife and attracts many visitors purely for this reason. If you love going out you will love Nottingham. There is also an abundance of things for all the family to do, and with this being home to the legendary Robin Hood, the children will be enthralled. Surrounded by picturesque market towns and the scenic Nottinghamshire countryside, Nottingham is a fantastic place to visit.
Quick Links
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Must Sees
- Where to Eat
- Night Life
- Theatre & Entertainment
- For the Kids
- Shopping
- Gay & Lesbian
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By Air Nottingham East Midlands Airport
The airport is located 18 miles/29 km south of central Nottingham.
To and from Nottingham East Midlands Airport:
By Bus (Skylink)
- Service operates 24 hours a day between the airport and central Nottingham (Friar Lane)
- Departs every 30 minutes from around 04:00, and then every hour after 23:00
- Journey time: 45 minutes
- Cost: adult single £5.00 (child £2.50), adult return £9.00 (child £4.00)
Taxi
- Journey time: 40 minutes
- Cost: £25.00-£30.00
Robin Hood Airport
The airport is located approximately 40 miles/ 64 km north of Nottingham.
To and from Robin Hood Airport:
Train and Bus (Airport Arrow)
- Take the Airport Arrow from the airport to Doncaster train station, where connections can be made to Nottingham
- Airport Arrow operates every hour, and connection times vary (check times before travelling)
- Journey time: Airport Arrow 25 minutes, train journey time is variable
- Cost: Airport Arrow; adult single £3.50 (child £2.00), adult return £5.00 (child £3.50)
- Train prices vary
Taxi
- Taxis are supplied by Little Arrows and can be pre-booked by calling +44 (0)1302 625 555.
By Train
- Nottingham's main train station is located centrally on Carrington Street, and is close to the main bus station and tram stop.
By Coach
- All coach arrivals will terminate centrally in Broadmarsh Bus Station (Collin Street, Nottingham).
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Walking
- Nottingham city centre is mostly pedestrianised, making it safe and easy to walk around.
- Public transport is advised for those wishing to travel further afield.
Tram
- The tram system is operated by Nottingham Express Transit.
- Runs across 18 km of track from Hucknall to Station Street, with lines diverging out to Hyson Green Market, Radford Road, and Phoenix Park.
- Trams run Monday to Saturday 06:00-00:00 and Sunday 08:00-23:00.
- Trams operate every 5 to 10 minutes at peak times and every 20 minutes off-peak.
Tickets:
- Adult day ticket, £2.20; Group day ticket (1 or 2 adults and up to 4 children), £5.00
- Week ticket: adult, £10.00; child £7.00
- Single tickets: adult peak £2.00; adult off peak £1.20; child £1.00, under 5s FREE
- Tickets can be purchased from conductors onboard the tram, and at peak times from those at the stations.
Bus
- The bus network is operated by Nottingham City Transport.
- Buses are efficient, and a night bus network is also available.
- Tickets puchased on the bus:
Single tickets: adult £1.30; child £0.80; under 5's free
Adult City Rider: allows transport anywhere in the Nottingham city area, £2.50
Group Rider: allows travel for up to 5 people including 2 adults in the city area, £5.50
Network Rider: allows travel across the entire bus network including Loughborough and Newark for one day, £5.50 - Tickets puchased prior to travel:
Easy Rider Anytime: pay-as-you-go with prices available for 2 days £4.50, 5 days £11.00, 10 days £21.00 - Tickets can be purchased from the NCT Travel Centre (5 South Parade, Nottingham, NG1 2JS)
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Nottingham Castle - Friar Lane, Nottingham, NG1 6EL
- Nottingham Castle has a colourful history. The castle today has been converted into a mansion house, and operates as a museum and art gallery with many innovative exhibitions on display.
- There is the opportunity to take a tour around the caves underneath, and gain a glimpse at the past history of Nottingham Castle.
- As well as the galleries and caves, there is also a medieval themed playground for the children to let off steam.
Opening times:
Daily 10:00-17:00 (mid October to mid February closes at 16:00)
Cave tours take place on weekdays at 14:00 and 15:00
Prices:
Weekdays FREE
Weekends adult £2.00, child £1.00
City of Caves - Upper level of the Broadmarsh Shopping Center, Listergate, NG1 7LL
- Tour original Anglo-Saxon tunnels, which lie beneath the city.
- See how the caves have been used across history, and meet some characters who used to dwell in the caves.
Opening times:
Daily 10:30-16:30
Prices:
Adult £4.95
Child £3.95
Family £14.95
Sherwood Forest Country Park
- This reputed home of the legendary Robin Hood accounts for a third of the county of Nottinghamshire, and is a great place to explore.
- Walking, cycling, and horse riding, there is much for all the family to do.
Opening times & prices
For further information on all the activities available in the forest, visit the Tourist and Visitor Information Centre (1-4 Smithy Row, Nottingham, NG1 2BY), or visit the Nottigham Tourist Information website.
Brewhouse Yard Museum - Castle Boulevard, Nottingham, NG1 1FB
- Museum which portrays the social history of Nottingham, through five converted 17th century houses.
- Have the chance to visit an Edwardian shop, a Victorian chemist, as well as an authentic row of 1920s shops.
- There is also an interactive gallery called, ‘In Search of Brewhouse Yard’.
Opening times
Daily 10:00-16:30
Prices
Joint ticket with Nottingham Castle:
Adult £3.00
Child £1.50 (Under 5’s free)
Newstead Abbey - Newstead Abbey Park, Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire, NG15 8NA
- Once home to the poet Lord Byron, Newstead Abbey has an extensive history since it was built as an Augustinian priory in 1170.
- As well as a chance to visit the house, the Abbey also has extensive gardens which are highly decorative, and great to wander around.
Opening times:
Grounds: daily 09:00-18:00 (or until dusk, whichever is earlier)
House: 1st April to 30th September 12:00-17:00
Prices:
Gardens only: adult £3.00, child £1.50, family £8.50
House and gardens: adult £6.00, child £2.50, Family £16.00
Under 5s free
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Le Bistrot Pierre - 13-17 Milton Street, Nottingham, NG1 3EN +44 (0)115 941 2850
- Voted best value restaurant at the Leicestershire & Rutland Restaurant Awards for 2006 and 2007.
- Menu is based around French cuisine.
- They offer a fixed price 3 course lunch menu for £8.95, while main courses on the à la carte menu cost from £8.50.
- The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, but closes inbetween.
MemSaab - 12-14 Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, NG1 6HS, +44 (0)115 957 0009
- A modern, good quality dining experience with contemporary surroundings and a menu to match. This restaurant serves both modern and traditional dishes, all cooked under the guidance of Rahul Khurana.
- Main courses are priced from £6.50, however a meat dish will average around £9.00, excluding rice or bread.
- Open daily 17:30-22:30/23:00.
World Service - Newdigate House, Castlegate, Nottingham, NG1 6AF, +44 (0)115 847 5587
- Voted restaurant of the year at the Nottingham Restaurant Awards 2007.
- As the name of the restaurant implies, the menu is influenced by flavours from all over the world.
- Main courses range from £13.50 to £19.50, while they offer a 2 course lunch menu for £12.00.
- The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, with a break inbetween.
Opium - 25 Warser Gate, Nottingham, NG1 1NU +44 (0)115 988 1133
- Chinese restaurant with a luxurious look, complete with Chinese lanterns and chandeliers. Following your meal, you can relax in the Zen lounge.
- Main course dishes range from £7.90, however they do have a minimum cover charge of £15.00 per person excluding drinks.
- Contact the restaurant for reservations.
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Nottingham has a vibrant and eclectic nightlife from traditional pubs to lively, energetic clubs.
The complex to head for if you are looking for places to eat, drink, and go clubbing without walking too far is the Cornerhouse (Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BD).
Bars and pubs:
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem - Brewhouse Yard, Nottingham, NG1 6AD
- Reputedly this is the oldest pub in England, and retains many of its traditional features.
- There are also supposed to be some past proprietors haunting the building, and if the owners are not too busy they will take customers down into the ancient cellars.
Dogma - 9 Byard Lane, Nottingham, NG1 2GJ
- Trendy bar serving a wide range of cocktails, with special offers at certain times.
- Plays hip-hop and soul at the weekend.
- Open Sunday to Tuesday 12:00-00:00 and Wednesday to Saturday 12:00-02:00
Bluu - Broadway, Nottingham, NG1 1PR
- Popular bar with restaurant space.
- Interior is very stylish and modern.
The Loft - 217 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG1 3FS
- Relaxed, laid-back bar attracting a cool, friendly crowd, with tunes to match.
Brass Monkey - 11 High Pavement, Nottingham, NG1 1HF
- Trendy and exclusive bar, attracting the occasional footballer.
- If you want to get in, make sure you are dressed to impress, as the bouncers are choosy.
Clubs:
Oceana - Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 3BB
- New club on the Nottingham scene, with 4 bars and 2 clubs under one roof.
- From cheesy tunes to the latest clubbing sounds, there is something to offer everyone.
- No jeans or trainers, apart from on Wednesday or Thursdays.
Stealth - Masonic Place, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, NG1 5JT
- Popular club for those who really take their clubbing seriously.
- Attracts some big name DJs.
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Theatres:
Nottingham Playhouse - Wellington Circus, Nottingham, NG1 5AF
- Popular theatre which attracts many stars of the theatre world.
- Produces innovative and avant-garde productions, and remains influential in the theatre world.
Theatre Royal/The Royal Concert Hall
Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND
- The Theatre Royal is one of the most popular venues in Nottingham, and attracts a wide variety of touring productions including musicals, comedy, and dance.
- The Royal Concert Hall is host to an assortment of concerts from various genres, including opera, rock, and jazz.
The Lace Market Theatre
Halifax Place, Nottingham, NG1 1QN
- An independent, amateur theatre which offers an eclectic range of performance, from modern to traditional.
Nottingham Arts Theatre
George Street, Nottingham, NG1 3BE
- The theatre's main aim is to promote the arts in the community, and produce a mix of drama, dance and music performances.
Other events:
Nottingham Goose Fair
- A major event in Nottingham’s calendar, the Goose Fair dates back more than 700 years and is reputed to be one of the largest travelling fairs in Europe.
- From rides to side shows and entertainment, the Goose Fair attracts a keen following every year.
- The fair usually takes place around the first week of October.
Robin Hood Pageant
- The pageant sees the grounds of Nottingham Castle transformed back to the days of the legendary Robin Hood, with jousting and craftsman displays as well as medieval style stalls. You can even try your hand at archery.
- The Pageant takes place annually near the end of October.
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Sundown Adventure Land - Rampton, near Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 0HX
- A theme park designed especially for those under 10, featuring the Story Book Village, Captain Sandy’s Play Cove, Junglemania, and much more to keep the little ones entertained.
- There is also an area for refreshments, and home-made fudge from Mother Hubbard’s Kitchen.
Opening times:
Closed from 25th December to mid February
Peak times: May, June, July, August 10:00-17:00
Off peak times: late February to April and September to December
Prices:
Adults and children £7.50
Under 2s FREE
Ferry Farm - Boat Lane, Hoveringham, Nottingham, NG14 7JR
- Children have the chance to see farmyard animals, and feed them too. There is also an outdoor play area with a zip line and an indoor one too, for when the weather is bad.
Opening times:
Closed Mondays except bank holidays.
Open between early April and early October.
Open school holidays only outside of these times.
Prices:
Adult £5.50
Child £4.50
Cyril’s Nut Hut - Acton Road, Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire, NG10 1FR
- Suitable for children from 1 to 11.
- Offers much to do, from a soft play area to an action-and-adventure area.
Opening times:
Daily 10:00-19:00
Prices:
Child £3.50
Babies at crawling stage £1.50
National Ice Centre - Bolero Square, Nottingham, NG1 1LA
- Ice skating is a great way to keep the children amused, and a range of sessions are provided for beginners and children, as well as special events such as disco skating.
Opening times:
For skate times visit the National Ice Centre's Skating Timetable.
Prices:
Peak (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Nottingham school holidays) £5.50
Off-peak £4.00
Under 5s £2.20, plus free skate hire
Family pass including skate hire £24.00
Skate hire £2.00
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Nottingham stands as one of England’s best cities for shopping, with some of the best independent and designer stores around. Local designer Paul Smith has his flagship store here, and there is much to choose from in terms of high street options. Also, a visit to Nottingham would not be complete without picking up some traditional lace, which is a hallmark of the city.
Shopping Centres:
Westfield Centre; Broadmarsh - Listergate, Nottingham, NG1 7LL
- With over 100 stores, there is a great variety of high street stores here.
Victoria Centre - Nottingham, NG1 3QN
- There are over 120 high street shops, and late night shopping is available on Wednesdays.
Exchange Arcade - East High St, Nottingham, NG1 2DD
- Small arcade of shops from the upper end of the high street, and designer market including Kookaï and Jaeger.
Designer:
- The main area is Bridlesmith Gate and Saint Mary’s Gate, where you will find Diesel, Flannels, Hugo Boss, and many more.
- Paul Smith has an outlet store on Byard Lane, and a new store at Willoughby House.
Alternative and Independent:
- · Hockley and the Lace Market area are a great for independent stores.
Markets:
Victoria Market
The Victoria Centre, Nottingham, NG1 3QN
- Indoor market containing everything from clothing and lace to fresh produce, including an amazing collection of flower stalls.
Newark
- Traditional market town, which offers a street market on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and a craft, bric-a-brac, and antiques market on Monday and Thursday.
Mansfield
- A market has operated here for 700 years, and still acts as the hub of the town six days a week.
Lace:
The Nottingham Lace Centre - 3-5 High Pavement, Nottingham, NG1 1HF
- There is a museum about the history of lace in Nottingham, and a shop to buy lace products.
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Nottingham’s gay scene is not as well developed as the likes of Birmingham or Manchester, however it is growing fast and there are plenty of bars to go to. The main hub of the gay scene is located around the Hockley area.
Bars, Pubs and Clubs:
NG1 - 76-80 Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 1EH
- This is Nottingham’s leading gay club with four bars, 2 dance floors, and a café.
- Serves up a range of music from cheesy pop to funky house, depending on the night.
- The club is usually open until 03:00 or 04:00, however on the first and last Saturday of every month it stays open until 07:00.
New Foresters - 18 St Ann's Street, Nottingham, NG1 3LX
- Pub which attracts a predominantly female crowd.
Central - Huntingdon Street, Nottingham, NG1 3LH
- Friendly gay bar which attracts a mixed crowd from different ages.
- Music is usually cheesy classics and pop.
@d2 - 74 Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 1EH
- Good pre-club bar which serves food during the day and evening, and attracts a fairly young crowd.
Nottingham Pride takes place annually, usually at the end of July. For more information visit the Nottingham Pride website
Should you need support or advice while in Nottingham, then contact the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Gay and Lesbian Switchboard.
T: +44 115 955 1070
F: +44 115955 1071