Discover Nottingham’s history in unusual places: in caves beneath the city, former court buildings and among the collections of a historic mansion. There are also parks, a working windmill and stages that appeal to a wide range of interests. You can shape your stay around city history, art, nature or activity.
Caves and Traces of the City’s History
The City of Caves is the largest publicly accessible section of Nottingham’s extensive underground cave network. Its notable features include Second World War air-raid shelters and a medieval tannery. The surviving caves at Brewhouse Yard also reach far back in time: their history includes medieval maltings and tanneries as well as Second World War air-raid shelters. Beneath Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem are cave cellars that were used for storing ale for centuries and contain an old cockfighting pit. Together, these places show the different ways underground spaces have been used.
Above ground, the city’s history leads to other distinctive places. The National Justice Museum is housed in Nottingham’s former Shire Hall and County Gaol, where criminal and civil courts once operated. Nottingham Castle Museum & Art Gallery presents 1,000 years of history; its museum and galleries cover fine art, lace, Robin Hood and the history of Nottingham Castle. The Lace Market was a centre of lace-making, producing intricate lace that became renowned worldwide.
Art, Stages and Special Collections
The Nottingham Playhouse stages a changing programme of theatre productions throughout the year, including classics, family shows and new commissions. In front of the theatre stands Anish Kapoor’s Sky Mirror. Installed in 2001, the sculpture is six metres in diameter and weighs more than ten tonnes. If you’re interested in the relationship between art and architecture, Nottingham Contemporary offers expert-led building tours that explore the history of Nottingham and the building, and give a behind-the-scenes look at the gallery. Admission to the exhibitions is free; tour availability and booking arrangements may change. Nottingham Contemporary is a three-minute walk from the Lace Market tram stop. Check the current route and tour information in advance.
Wollaton Hall also brings together architecture and collections. The Grade I listed Elizabethan mansion sits amid 500 acres of natural parkland. The Natural History Museum at Wollaton Hall displays zoological, geological and botanical collections comprising around three-quarters of a million specimens in total. The minerals gallery contains 5,000 rock and mineral specimens as well as giant ammonites; the museum also presents prehistoric creatures, including a large skeleton, and remarkable fossil finds.
Parks, a Windmill and Activities
Nottingham Arboretum is the city’s oldest public park and is home to more than 800 trees. A prepared map with checkpoints offers orienteering as a way to explore the park. Martin’s Pond offers a different natural setting: this Local Nature Reserve is a haven for wildlife. What you can observe may vary by season.
Green’s Windmill & Science Centre adds technology and science to these discoveries. The restored, working tower windmill dates from the 19th century. At the Science Centre, you can experiment with light, electricity and magnetism and learn about the history of George Green. Admission to the museum, shop and community garden is free; check the information before you visit.
If you’d rather get active on the ice, the National Ice Centre offers a range of skating sessions throughout the week, including family sessions, club sessions and foam parties. The lesson programme covers ice hockey, tots’ skating, figure skating or ice dance, as well as speed skating. Children under five can skate for free in the Tots Zone. As sessions and dates may change, it’s worth checking the current programme.
Walking Tour and Getting Around the City
The Nottingham Trail is a walking tour of city-centre attractions that takes about one to two hours. Its themes include castles, caves, pubs, prisons and masterpieces; the approximate duration can help you plan the walk. As the content may be revised, check the current route in advance. The city centre is largely pedestrianised and compact. Nottingham Express Transit connects shopping, leisure and visitor destinations in Nottingham and the surrounding area; there are five stops in the centre, including Nottingham Station. Network details and service frequency may change, so it’s a good idea to check the current connections before travelling.
For another look at local meeting places, the Nottingham Real Ale Trail takes you to 14 pubs and venues in the city centre; participating venues may change. You can search for a holiday rental that suits your focus, whether that’s art and city history, parks and collections, or a visit with a range of activities.
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