Nottingham isn’t the most beautiful city in England, but it is worth a quick visit or at least looking around if you’re spending some time here. This itinerary will give you a good feel of the city without spending a penny. It can be completed in an afternoon – I did it in a few hours because I’ve seen it all before – but if you stop to eat and rest, it could fill a day.
Some of these things aren’t going to bowl you over, but I’ve included them anyway because you might as well look if you’re close by. And hey, they’re all free!
If you’ve got more time in Nottingham or you’re looking for something more off-the-beaten-track, consider going a bit further afield and exploring the beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside. That will bowl you over.
The itinerary starts and ends at Nottingham Station. If you arrive by coach, the station is close by.
1. Nottingham Canal
The canal, completed in 1796, is right across the road from Nottingham Station. You can look out over it from the bridge or go down the slope to walk along it, but you’ll need to come back up if you’re carrying on with this itinerary. The prettiest part is the area near the station. Look out for colourful canal boats and the old British Waterways building.
2. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, the oldest inn in England
Walk uphill to Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, which claims to be the oldest inn in England. You’ll find it at the foot of the cliffs on which Nottingham Castle sits. You can go inside if you fancy a drink or some food.
Two other pubs in Nottingham and one in Hertfordshire also claim to be the oldest in England. Regardless, ‘The Trip’ is certainly an ancient inn and an iconic symbol of Nottingham.
3. The Severn’s Building
If you’re interested in old buildings, look out for the Severn’s Building across the road from Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. It was built on Middle Pavement in 1450 and moved to its current location in 1970. It was originally a merchant’s house and has since been architects’ offices, a wine business and a lace museum. It’s currently empty.
4. Nottingham Castle (from outside) and the Robin Hood statue
You have to pay to go inside Nottingham Castle, but you can see a lot from outside. The cliffs are especially pretty in the spring and summer when they’re covered in vegetation. You can spot caves at the bottom. Robin Hood was from Nottingham (although this is also contested) and along with Nottingham Forest, he’s what we’re most famous for, so you can’t miss the statue.
5. The Park Estate
The Park is a fancy estate near Nottingham Castle that dates back to 1087, when it was the castle’s deer park. Construction of the houses began in the early 19th century. It’s now famous for its well-preserved Victorian buildings and gas streetlights. It is literally just a residential area so don’t expect to be thrilled, but if you’re enjoying the old buildings, you might want to have a wander.
6. Ye Olde Salutation Inn
Dating at least as far back as 1240, ‘The Sal’ doesn’t just claim to be the oldest inn in England but the most haunted, too. It was once a pit stop for knights on pilgrimages and its caves provided shelter to a leper colony and Jews fleeing persecution. Now it’s known for rock music. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem has slightly better reviews if you only want to get a drink or food at one of them.
7. St. Peter’s Church
The next major stop will be the Old Market Square, but when you leave ‘The Sal,’ walk down Hounds Gate to see St. Peter’s Church framed by the arch and old buildings. The original church that was built around 1100 burned down, but parts of the current Grade I listed building date back as far as 1180.
8. The Old Market Square
If you’ve ever seen photos of Nottingham, you’ll have seen the Old Market Square. In winter there’s a Christmas market here with fairground rides and an ice rink. In summer there’s a fake beach. Sometimes there are concerts on. All year round, it’s a place where the people of Nottingham meet and hang out – especially by the lions in front of the Council House. If you like people watching, you’ll like the square.
You can pay for a tour of the Council House if you want to see what it’s like inside. Its clock, known as ‘Little John,’ is audible for miles. When I was a kid riding around on my scooter on which I scribbled over ‘Harry Potter’ to write ‘Tekken,’ my friends and I used to listen for it so we’d know if rain would interrupt our playtime – in case you care for a useless fact you won’t find on the square’s Wikipedia page.
9. The Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal opened in 1865 and it’s probably the most famous venue in Nottingham. It’s beautiful inside, so if there’s anything on that you want to see, go for it. If not, carry on walking. We’re on our way to the Arboretum now.
10. NTU Arkwright Building
Nottingham Trent University is the sixth-biggest in the UK and was established in 1843. There are several noteworthy buildings on the city campus, but the Arkwright Building is the most beautiful. It’s worth stopping by on your way to the Arboretum.
11. The Arboretum
The Arboretum is a large park that opened in 1852. There’s a lake, a bell tower, a bandstand, aviaries, and many species of trees to admire. It’s a great place to relax after all the walking you’ll have done at this point. If you’re still enjoying the old buildings, there are some pretty ones around the Arboretum.
12. Victoria Station Clock Tower
The clock tower is all that remains of Nottingham Victoria Station, which was replaced with the Victoria Shopping Centre in 1967. If you’re hungry, there are lots of places to eat at the Vic Centre.
13. Nottingham Central Mosque
This is the largest and most well-known mosque in Nottingham. Construction began with community donations in 1976 and it was completed in 1992. With a church across the road, it’s a symbol of religious and cultural harmony.
14. Hockley
Hockley is a small, vibrant area known for its bars, cafes and independent alternative clothing shops. It’s been known for shopping since the 13th century. This is another good place to grab something to eat on the final stretch of this itinerary.
15. The Lace Market
Until the 1970s, the Lace Market was the international centre of the lace industry. The beautiful old buildings were once lace factories. Don’t miss the Adams Building, which is now part of Nottingham College. I studied photography there.
16. St. Mary’s Church
St. Mary’s in the Lace Market is the oldest church in Nottingham. There are records of it as far back as 1086, but it’s believed to be even older. It was the birthplace of Sunday school. On a hot summer day, it’s lovely to relax on the benches that surround the church in the shade of the plentiful trees, even if you’re not religious.
Every Nottingham College photography student has a photo of this church.
17. The murals of Bridlesmith Gate
As you finally walk back to the station, pass by the colourful murals on Bridlesmith Gate.
18. Nottingham Contemporary
The Contemporary is an art gallery on the way back to Nottingham Station that’s always free to enter. The exterior walls are a homage to the lace industry.
19. The National Justice Museum
You have to pay for a full tour of the museum, but you can admire it from outside and sometimes see a few exhibits inside for free. The building dates back to the 14th century.
20. The Pitcher & Piano
Finally, if you fancy a pint in a church, check out the Pitcher & Piano. If you’re not that interested but want to have a quick look at it, you don’t actually need to get close up; it’s a central point of the skyline as you head downhill to the station.
Tré Cool of Green Day once said the band needs to come back to Nottingham because we have a pub in a church. We’re still waiting.
I hope this post has given you some ideas for things to see in Nottingham! I’d totally recommend visiting just to see some of the countryside and checking out a few of these places while you’re here.
If you have any questions about anything Nottingham-related, feel free to comment below.
Atlas and a Camera 