Nottingham, UK
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Situated slap bang in the middle of England, Nottingham is famous for:
Robin Hood, Lace, 7 girls to every boy (an utter myth unless 6 of them are particularly ugly), cigarettes and a couple of football teams that like to surf the relegation zone.
Going out
The nightlife is excellent- if you're planning a night out, a stag or hen night or just fancy something different, Nottingham's pubs and clubs are excellent and cater for all tastes from warm cloudy beer to bottles of lager and deafness. Head straight for the Market Square (known locally as Slab Square) and follow the lights.
Shopping
Nottingham has almost got 2 town centres joined by even more shops. Head into Hockley (behind the Council House in Slab Square) for excellent smaller, weirder shops and stick to Slab Square or the two shopping centres for the high street. Lots of out of town centres as well if that's your thing.
Snap (food)
Lots of great restaurants from French cafe through to excellent curry. Lots of bars do good food so there's no need to go to MacDonalds. Try the Nottingham Balti House (near the Newmarket Inn on Upper Parliament Street) for a cheap curry and just wander into the Lace Market and pick a restaurant for something funkier.
Brief history
Nottingham used to be stunningly beautiful until the 1950's- think the Shambles in York- but then the planners attacked the city with a vengence. Concrete abounds but there are little gems- check out the Lace Market and Hockley. The old castle (to the west of the centre)burnt down in the 17th century so they built a house there instead which has a museum in it. At the bottom of Castle Rock is the Trip to Jerusalem, one of the pubs in the UK vying for the oldest title. A biker's pub in the summer, you can sit in caves in the rock supping your pint. Try the Royal Children Pub across the dual carriageway (bloody planners) for better beer in a pub that thinks it's even older.
Sport
Head for Trent Bridge- there is the cricket ground and both football grounds right next to it. Castle Donnington race track is next to East Midlands airport if you are a petrol head. The tennis centre is next to the University to the west of the city and the national watersports centre is to the east (try the white water rafting- it's a hoot).
Bad things about Nottingham
It's a long way from the sea.
The countryside is dull (though not as dull as Lincolnshire next door).
Drugs and crime are rife in the wrong areas of the city (could be in the what's good bit above I suppose).
How to get there
Road
It's just off the M1- you can't miss it.
Rail
The railway station is on the edge of the city centre to the south west and within easy walking distance of the centre.
Air
East Midlands airport is the closest, about 15 miles away.
Boat
Lots of canals go straight through the town centre.
