Nottingham in general

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I've lived in Nottingham for around 14 years, and even after all that time living here I'm always finding something new to do, somewhere new to visit, and something interesting.

It's a vibrant city with an eclectic mix of people and places. Whatever kind of person you are, there will be something to please you here.

Nottingham, thanks to its two universities and multitude of colleges plays ...
...during termtime

Nottingham plays host to a wide range of cultures and religions, resulting in a large number of unusual shops worth visiting, from the Hyson Green area of Nottingham, where you're sure to find delicious Indian food and sumptuous sari fabrics, to the many Chinese supermarkets where you can pick up all manner of unusual foods.

HISTORY
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Located in the centre of England, Nottingham ... more

INTRODUCTION
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I've lived in Nottingham for around 14 years, and even after all that time living here I'm always finding something new to do, somewhere new to visit, and something interesting.

It's a vibrant city with an eclectic mix of people and places. Whatever kind of person you are, there will be something to please you here.

Nottingham, thanks to its two universities and multitude of colleges plays host to a large number of students, which noticeably boosts the cities population during termtime

Nottingham plays host to a wide range of cultures and religions, resulting in a large number of unusual shops worth visiting, from the Hyson Green area of Nottingham, where you're sure to find delicious Indian food and sumptuous sari fabrics, to the many Chinese supermarkets where you can pick up all manner of unusual foods.

HISTORY
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Located in the centre of England, Nottingham has a rich history, both fact and legend.

Perhaps the most famous Nottingham legend is Robin Hood. You all know the story. Transvestite in tights goes around robbing rich people to give to the poor! Quite a nice guy really, and one that Nottingham are rightly proud of, although Yorkshire keep trying to claim him. So proud are we of him that he has his own Museum, and his statue is on the face of many Nottingham postcards.

Nottingham castle has a turbulent past. Once the centre of political affairs in the time of the crusades, this castle saw many hangings, murders, and rebellions, including the murder of Queen Isabellas lover Mortimer in a tunnel beneath the castles very walls.

Nottingham was also the home of Lord Byron, and his home, Newstead Abbey, stands to this very day.

How to reach Nottingham
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Getting to Nottingham is simple. With a train station and two coach stations within the city centre itself, and with Nottingham East Midlands Airport a mere 20-minute bus journey outside the city, it's easily accessible. For more info on the air travel to and from this airport, try calling 01332 852852.

Air: East Midlands Airport is 20 minutes outside the city, and you can get a flight here from almost anywhere in the world. There is a bus from the airport to the city centre at a reasonable cost, or if you have a lot of luggage you may prefer to take a taxi, at a cost of around £10.

Train: Nottingham has a station located just 3 minutes walk away from the centre of Nottingham city. You can get here from almost every city the UK, and there are several bed and breakfasts within spitting distance of the station steps (most, unfortunately thoroughtly disreputable!). Keep hold of your wallet in the station though; as there is a high incidence of pick pocketing around the station at night, although there are police patrolling the station day and night. There are bus stops right outside the station, and a taxi rank in front. 01332 257 000 is the number to call for details of train times and fares to and from Nottingham.

Road: Nottingham lies just off the M1, and if you take junction 26, this will bring you into the Bulwell area, from which point directions to the city are clearly signposted. It's easy to get a coach to Nottingham from most major cities and airports, with National Express and Skills both running regular services. For information on booking a coach ticket to Nottingham visit www.gobycoach.com.

Travelling Within Nottingham
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Within the city itself, travel is easy. Most of the main shopping area is pedestrianised, with main tourist attractions clearly signposted.

There is a fairly reliable bus service run by Nottingham City Transport, where you can buy a ticket for £2.30 which will allow you unlimited use of the buses for a day. For information on the bus services, there is a NCT travel shop situated in Nottingham Town Square, they also have a phone line you can call for information on 0115 9503665, and a website at http://www.nctx.co.uk/ which displays all timetables, routes and ticket options.

There’s a tram service within the city centre, which takes you to all the main areas (station, university etc), and you can use your £2.30 bus ticket here too. This service has only been running since May 2004, but so far has proved to be reliable and quick.

Taxis are available in Nottingham and there is a rank outside each of the main shopping centres and one just off town square.

People with cars I would advise to park outside the city centre on the Park and Ride sites either at the Forest Recreation Ground (not the same as the football club) or one of the other sites. For a cost 0f £4, you can park here all day, and catch either a bus or tram from here into the city centre. This cost applies for the whole family, so five of you (either one or two adults) only have to pay £4 between you. Park and ride sites are open from 6am until 1am. For information on both the tram service and the park and ride facilities within Nottingham, the website is http://www.thetram.net/

Overall, if you only want to see the attractions within the city limits, my advice would be to take it on foot. There’s a lot there, but it's only a small area, and the majority of the city is pedestrianised making it safe to walk.

PLACES TO VISIT (Tourism)
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Nottingham Castle Museum and Grounds

Tel: 0115 915 3700
Castle is now open 10 - 4pm daily (last entrance 3.30pm). (From February half-term the opening times will be 10 - 5pm.) )
Weekdays FREE weekends and Bank Hols £2.00 adults, £1.00 children/concessions.
Family ticket £5.00. Group rate: one free ticket for every ten tickets purchased.

The castle building itself will be a disappointment for anyone lusting after the romantic fairytale of Robin Hood, as the castle has been razed to the ground twice in its turbulent history. What stands there now is a manor house, and rather disappointing, although the outer walls of the grounds still remain, along with the gatehouse, giving some indication of how imposing this castle must once have been

The castle grounds are stunning, with many areas of interest, particularly Mortimer’s hole where Isabella’s lover met his grisly end. In the summer, you will see jousting, jesting and pageantry, and in winter it plays host to the Robin Hood festival.

Inside the castle is a museum, containing everything from exhibits of old coinage and armour, to the first ever Nike shoe!

The Museum of Nottingham Life
0115 915 3600
Open all year except Xmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day
(Please note that access to the school room and toyshop may not always be available).
Weekdays FREE weekends and Bank Hols £1.50 adults, 80p conc.
Family Ticket £3.80 (2 adults & up to 4 children). Group rate: one free ticket for every ten tickets purchased.

This is the place to visit to get an idea of the history of Nottingham from the peoples view. Learn how Nottingham survived the war, and what shopping in Nottingham was like during the Middle Ages.

These are just two of the many attractions in Nottingham. Others to visit include: Tales of Robin Hood, Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham Museum of Costume and Textile, Newstead Abbey, Rufford Abbey, Wollaton Hall.

Places to Stay in Nottingham
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Comfort Hotel Nottingham, George Street,
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG1
United Kingdom

Slap bang in the centre of Nottingham, this is the ideal base for exploring the shopping, nightlife and tourist attractions this vibrant city has to offer. Rooms start from £39 a night B&B, and the hotel includes a restaurant and bar.

Another I would recommend is the Royal Moat House, again right in the centre of town, and with it's own tree lined arcade containing restaurants and a hairdressers, as well as a lively bar. Prices here start from £58 night, and it can be found at Wollaton Street, Nottingham, GB, NG1 5RH

For anyone really on a budget, there are hotels just outside the station starting from as little as £18 a night b&b, although I would personally urge you to spend a little more on somewhere nicer, as the 'hotels' near the station are often used by prostitutes.

Bars & Restaurants
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Nottingham has a huge number of pubs with something to suit every taste. For a traditional old style pub, try the Salutation, the Bell, or Ye Olde Trip for traditional real ales in a relaxed atmosphere.

For something a little more modern, try Brass Monkey, Indigo, Dogma, or Living Room.

There are a huge number of restaurants within Nottingham, from your usual suspects (Bella Pasta, Nandos, Pizza Hut, Zizzi etc) to the more unusual place, such as the magnificent Loch Fyne fish restaurant, the delicious Hansons Chinese, or the spicy Mogal-e-azam.

My personal favourite pub is Ye Olde Trip, reputedly the oldest pub in the world. Not just my favourite because of its cheap, good quality beer and food (including a large array of real ales) but becuase of it's traditional bar games (horn and ring for example) and it's miscellaneous ghost stories, included the cursed galleon, said to kill any that dare to clean it.

A restaurant I would recommend to those who can afford it is the World Service restaurant, Newdigate House, Castle Gate, Nottingham (0115 847 5587)

World Service is housed in an wonderful 17th century building (which incidentally was home to the man who first introduced celery to England and offers a very modern, stylish and up to date dining experience. Expect to pay in excess of £14 for a main course, but the food here is exquisite, and I'd recommend the crispy monkfish in honeyed breadcrumbs!

SHOPPING
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Nottingham has a wide range of shops, including all your usual chain stores, but who cares about them. For something more unusual, head to Hockley, where you'll find little boutiques full of clothes you'll never see anywhere else, and unusual, quirky shops where you're sure to find an unusual gift for someone.

For those people amongst you who just want to shop, there are two large shopping centres, Victoria centre and Broadmarsh, both within the city centre, and both with their own carparks and bus stations. Most of the shops in these two centres are chain stores, so there are very few surprises, although Victoria centre does have an indoor market, which unfortunately gets smaller every year.

I'd recommend a visit to the flying horse arcade. It's only a small arcade, ten or so shops, but the shops it houses are unusual, with a cheese shop, Spirit Glasswares (beautiful painted glasswares) a couple of small designer boutiques and a shop (I forget the name) that sells the most dazzling ornaments and furniture (with prices to match!)

Downsides
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Though I love Nottingham, it's nightlife and it's people, and would heartily recommend a visit, there are a few downsides. Firstly, there are loads of beggars, who will accost you on your way through the city asking for money. This can be intimidating to first time visitors to the city.

Also, while you're here keep an eye on your money when in crowds, as with any large city there is a problem with pickpocketing and theft.

I would advise people not to go out alone at night here, especially at weekends, as it can be hard to get home by taxi or bus after kicking out time, and there are a lot of people who will pose as taxi drivers and take you for a ride, literally and financially. Only take a black hackney carriage home, as these are the only cabs allowed to pick up within the city limits.

Also, in Nottingham clubs, keep hold of your drinks, as drink spiking is on the up.

Although these problems are on the increase in Nottingham, the chances of them happening to you are small, but it's best to be safe.

Overall, Nottingham is a wonderful place, and I do hope you'll visit. Heck, maybe I'll even try and arrange a Ciao meet.

Thank you,

Useful Links:

http://www.nctx.co.uk/ for travel information throughout the city.

http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/travel/default.asp advice on travel to and within Nottingham

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Ye_Olde_Trip_To_Jerusalem__Review_5476184 My review on my favourite Nottingham Pub
 

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