There’s no escaping Robin Hood in Nottingham where streets, pubs, shops and schools have been named after the much-loved outlaw or one of his merry associates. Even the bell that chimes the hour from Nottingham’s finest building – the neo-baroque Council House – is called Little John.
But there is more to Nottingham than Robin and his pals. This is a thoroughly modern city, home to two universities, a major sporting and entertainment centre, and the regional shopping capital. The M1 motorway passes five miles to the west while Nottingham East Midlands airport is 12 miles to the southwest. Regular trains from London St Pancras connect with a state-of-the-art tramline to the city centre and northern suburbs.
Accommodations include no-frills lodgings at Premier Travel Inn and Citilodge and boutique hotels such as Lace Market, Hart’s and Park Plaza. Other central hotels include Express by Holiday Inn, the Hilton and Rutland Square while on the outskirts are Colwick House, Holiday Inn and Westminster. Rooms are also available at chic Restaurant Sat Bains, one of the UK’s top 25 restaurants.
A range of world cuisine is offered in Nottingham from a taste of France at Le Bistrot Pierre to the Indian sub-continent at Mem-Saab. Other popular dining experiences are found at Chico Latino, Sinatra’s, Sonny’s, Fashion and Merchants while most pubs serve bar-food.
The city’s sporting credentials and facilities are top-class and include the National Ice Centre and Holme Pierrepoint, a specialist watersports centre. Two highly ranked soccer clubs play in Nottingham and Trent Bridge is a national cricketing landmark.
Popular attractions include a maze of sandstone caves beneath the city, the Lace Market, the Castle, and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem (the oldest pub in England). Museum buffs enjoy the Galleries of Justice, Brewhouse Yard and the Costumes and Textiles collections while children love The Tales of Robin Hood.
Compact Nottingham is one of England’s best shopping destinations. Its strength lies in its retail diversity with two malls, three department stores, a roll call of famous chains and a huge choice of boutique and specialist shops in its narrow lanes and arcades.
Written by: Claire Santry
