Nottingham City Guide

Nottingham is a city that constantly surprises. Yes, there is a castle (recently restored and reimagined as an interactive museum), and yes, the Robin Hood legend is everywhere — but look past the folklore and you will find a vibrant, creative city with one of the best nights out in the country, a thriving arts scene, and a food culture that has grown enormously in recent years.

The nightlife is legendary among students and locals alike. Rock City is one of the UK's most iconic live music venues, the Bodega and Rescue Rooms keep the indie and alternative scene alive, and the Hockley neighbourhood is packed with cocktail bars, craft beer pubs, and late-night spots. Nottingham also has an extraordinary concentration of historic pubs — Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem claims to be the oldest inn in England.

The creative scene runs deep. Nottingham Contemporary is one of the largest contemporary art galleries in the UK, Broadway Cinema is a beautiful independent picture house, and the Nottingham Playhouse and Theatre Royal offer everything from new writing to touring musicals. The Lace Market, once the centre of the world's lace industry, is now a gorgeous district of converted warehouses, boutiques, and restaurants.

The city sits on sandstone riddled with caves — you can tour the City of Caves beneath the Broadmarsh area for a glimpse of Nottingham's hidden underground life. Above ground, the Arboretum and Wollaton Hall (the Elizabethan mansion that doubled as Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises) offer beautiful escapes from the city bustle.