CITY 

Introduction: 

Nottingham is the largest city in the East Midlands and is an important trading city. Known worldwide for its link to Robin Hood, the city sits on the River Trent and has a population of 305,000. 

Brief History: 

The city started out in the sixth century as a Saxon settlement, then called

Snottaingaham. As the location was the first point that the navigable Trent could be crossed, it was a matter of time before the settlement became a town. The Normans built a wooden fort in 1067, which was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. 

Medieval Nottingham saw the arrival of a mint and market and a mayor was gained in 1284. Wool making, pottery and goldsmiths were the trades at that time. Robin Hood was supposed to have lived in Sherwood Forest in the 14th Century, however, a sheriff didn’t exist until 1449. The middle ages meant a change of industries with silk, hosiery, malting and glass making replacing the old trades. 

Starting out as a Royalist town at the beginning of the civil war, the Parliamentarians eventually took control and at the end of the war had the castle destroyed. The Duke of Newcastle bought the site and built a mansion house. By the eighteenth century, Nottingham was considered elegant and so the population began to increase. 

However, by the 19th century the city grew rapidly and the poor lived in very poor slums. A cholera epidemic in 1833 killed 330 inhabitants. Then in the middle of the century prosperity set in and all the facilities a large town needed was introduced. Additionally, the Goose Fair came into being and one of the oldest football clubs, Notts County was founded in 1862, followed by Nottingham Forest in 1865. The end of the century saw the arrival of industries Nottingham is famous for, Lace, John Player’s Cigarettes and Raleigh cycles. The town was bestowed as a City in 1897. 

The twentieth century saw the continued rapid growth and Boots the Chemists opened a large pharmaceutical factory. The twenty first century sees Nottingham with a good future, which includes retail, education and tourism,   to offer its current 305,000 citizens. 

Things to Do: 

Phone number for city travel centre is 0115 950 6070 

Nottingham Castle:

Starting life as a Norman timber fortress, Henry II replaced it with a stone structure. Located in a strategic position on Castle Rock it was an important medieval building. The legend of Robin Hood and the Sherriff of Nottingham had connections.

The original castle was destroyed but rebuilt as a mansion, which basically remains today. It is now used as a Museum and Art Gallery. Open every day 10am to 5pm the entrance fee is £6 for adults and £5 for concessions. It is just a 10 minute walk from the city centre or railway station.

For further info check out  www.nottinghamcastle.org.uk . 

Woollaton Hall:

This Tudor building was built between 1580-1588. Now owned by the City, internal guided tours are available, where you will see the Tudor Kitchen, Admirals Bath, Prospect Room, Regency Salon and Regency Dining Room. Generally open 10am to 4pm the entrance for tours is £5 for adults and free for children. Entrance to park is free.

To visit set sat nav to NG8 2AE. Various buses pass the Hall from Colin Street in the city centre. For bus travel info phone number is above. 

Nottingham Contemporary:

Located at Weekday Cross, NG1 2GB, this is an art gallery showing changing exhibitions. As well as paintings there are also talks and film presentations. There is a shop and café. Close to the Lace Market and station, trams and park and ride buses also pass close by.

Further information can be found at www.nottinghamcontemporary.org.uk . 

The Arboretum:

This park is the largest in the city and closest to the city centre. Opened in 1852 it possesses over 800 trees and 300 shrubs, some of which were planted in the 19th century. Located in Waverley Street, NG7 4HF, it is served by the tram network and there is on street parking. 

Galleries of Justice Museum:

Based in Nottingham’s old court and gaol this is a gruesome museum of crime and punishment. Exhibitions include Robin Hood-The Rise of a Rebel and Convict Ship-A Journey into the Unknown. There are also eight themed tours. There is also a gift shop and café. To be found at High Pavement, it is a 10/15 minute walk from station and multiple bus services pass the door. The tram stop is a five minute walk away.

For further information check out www.galleriesofjustice.org.uk . 

City of Caves:

A complex of caves dating back to the Dark Ages, they were known to have been used for housing from the 11th Century to 1845. Used as air raid shelters in WW2 the current tours take you back to the Anglo Saxon tunnels which include wells and cesspits. Check out the Enchanted Well, the Medieval Tannery and The Slums of Drury Hill. Open seven days a week from 10.30am to 4.00pm advanced booking is advised as the tours get fully booked.

Tickets are £7.95 for adults and £5.95 for children and concessions. Located at the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre, further information can be found at www.cityofcaves.com or by phoning 0115 988 1955. 

Museum of Nottingham Life:

This museum covers 300 years of Nottingham history and is based in five cottages dating from the 17th century and depict the life of the citizens, as in the early 19th century, through what they made or owned. There are reconstructed room and shop settings and a Victorian school. The museum is located in Brewhouse Yard, Castle Boulevard, NG7 1FB.

Opening times are 12 to 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. Admission prices vary so contact 0115 876 1400 for further information.

Travel by frequent buses from city centre is the best option as only parking is for the disabled which has to be pre booked. 

D. H. Lawrence Museum:

DHL was born in Victoria Street, Eastwood, Nottingham, NG16 3AW, and is now open to the public with an exhibition, DVD viewing and a tour. You need to book for a tour prior to arrival, either by telephone on 01773 717353 or online at culture@broxtowe.gov.uk .

There is also a DHL Heritage Centre at Mansfield Road, Eastwood, NG16 3DZ.

Details can be obtained as for the Birthplace Museum. Light refreshments are available at the Heritage Centre. 

Night Life:

With nearly fifty clubs and bars spread throughout the city centre a good night out is guaranteed. Among the current popular venues are The Forum, Gatecrasher and Oceana. However, fickleness means the scene changes fairly quickly, as in most major cities. There are a few gay venues. 

For theatre and concerts, the public have a good choice. From the Theatre Royal, through to Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham Playhouse, Lace Market Theatre and Rock City, the variety on offer is interesting. 

Seven cinema complexes can be found throughout the city. 

Also to be found is an ice rink, ten pin bowling and greyhound racing. 

Eating Out:

With a good ethnic mix of citizens, this is reflected in the restaurants. Many Indian, Polish, Greek, French and British eateries can be found. There is also a good number of pubs selling good food, together with “take aways” and daytime cafes in the city centre, including department stores. 

Shopping:

With Paul Smith being a son of the city it is expected that shopping in Nottingham will not disappoint, and it won’t. For a start there are two national department stores based in the Victoria Centre and Long Row. There are lots more national chains, designer stores, local boutiques and other independents and markets, including a Christmas market and ice rink in Old Market Square.

As well as the Victoria, there are also Broadmarsh and The Exchange shopping malls. The outskirts of the city contain several retail parks. 

Accommodation:

International and national hotel chains abound in the city giving a good level of comfort. There are also budget hotels and affordable rooms in pubs and guest houses. These establishments can be found in the city centre and surrounding areas. 

Transport: 

Buses:

Nottingham City Council control and run 67 routes within Nottingham and suburbs. It is one of the most modern and customer focused bus companies in the country. Full details of routes and timetables can be found at www.nctx.co.uk .

TrentBarton operate a bus service throughout Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire including connecting the city centre to East Midlands Airport. Full details can be found on www.trentbarton.co.uk .

National Express run services to and from Nottingham to the rest of the country.

There are bus stations at Broadmarsh and Victoria shopping centres. 

Trams:

There are two lines operated by NET and both run via the Old Market Square  in the city centre. The routes are Clifton to Phoenix Park and Chilwell to Hucknall. Route and timetable information can be found on www.thetram.net . 

Road:

Nottingham has a good connection to the rest of the UK, mainly via the M1, which lies just to the west of the city boundary and connects London and the South, and Yorkshire and the North, and Scotland, to the city. The A52 leads to Derby, Stoke-on-Trent and the M6 to the west and Grantham, through to Boston, in the east. Mansfield and Worksop are connected by the A50. 

Railway:

Nottingham is served by East Midland Rail with services to London St. Pancras, Leicester, Derby, Sheffield, Norwich, Lincoln and Grimsby. All other cities can be accessed with changes at major hubs.

Located in Carrington Street city locations are connected by bus, tram or taxi. 

Air:

East Midland’s Airport lies to the south west of the city and can be connected to Nottingham via Skyline Bus or taxi. By road, leave the M1 at junction 23a.

Ninety destinations, which include Europe, North Africa, New York, Orlando, Mexico and West Indies, can be reached from the airport.  

Route and flight information can be found on www.eastmidlandsairport.com . 

Taxis:

A dozen, or so, taxi firms operate within the city.