INTRODUCTION
Hello. Or ‘Ayup’ as we say round here. As you’ve picked up this guide we guess you have either arrived here to study at the University of Nottingham, or are considering the idea. If you’ve already arrived, congratulations! It’s no mean feat to get the grades to get in. If you’re still considering, we hope you will find the content inside useful in helping you make your decision.
This hasn’t been put together to tell you about the campus or your course - you’ll get plenty of that from official university sources. It’s been put together by a team from LeftLion to tell you about the city of Nottingham. We run a local culture magazine here and thus are in a position to give you lots of insider tips as we’ve lived here for many years.
Inside you can read the thoughts of past students, find out more about how to get around on public transport, get to know the local area and environment and more. Perhaps most exciting of all, the entire second half is full of insider recommendations of great places for drinks, food, entertainment, clubbing, groceries and more besides.
Give it all a read and then astound your new classmates and housemates with your in depth knowledge of this town. You can thank us later. If you want to brush up even further check out leftlion.co.uk and look out for our monthly printed issue, loved by locals and students alike. All the best!
The LeftLion Team
THIS GUIDE IS CARBON BALANCED
This publication was produced by LeftLion Ltd. We take climate change and our impact on the environment seriously. For more information about what we are doing to achieve our goal of becoming a carbon neutral company please visit leftlion.co.uk/environment
Our printers are Warners Midlands PLC. They are accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council and ISO 14001 certified, an international standard for environmental
management systems. They’re based around 40 miles from Nottingham, meaning this magazine hasn’t had to travel unnecessarily far to get into your hands.
To carbon balance the paper we have used to print this publication we have made a financial donation to the World Land Trust. This has balanced the equivalent of 1,448kg of carbon dioxide and will enable them to protect 276m2 of critically threatened tropical forest.
THE ANNA EDIT
Anna Newton came to Nottingham to study BSC Psychology (class of 2011). While she was here she picked up a new hobby; beauty blogging. Now known as’ The Anna Edit’ she is now one of the UK’s leading bloggers and YouTubers. Here’s what she had to say about her time as a student in Nottingham…
“I absolutely loved Nottingham. It’s not too big, not too small, and it’s got everything you need; cool places to go out and cool places to eat and drink. Anyone that I meet that’s wondering where they want to go to uni, I’m like “Guys, you have to go to Nottingham. It’s fab!”
I met my husband Mark on my first day at uni, which was also my birthday
I feel like this is obvious, but like everyone else I spent a lot of time at Ocean. Every Friday night we made it to Ocean. No matter what we had on, no matter if we had exams. I love a bit of fancy dress and, let me tell you, after you graduate it does not happen nearly as often! That’s sad, because it is so much fun.
In my first year, I worked during the holidays at the job I’d previously had before uni. Then in my second and third year, I worked in the student union bar. It was really good working for the uni, because they obviously knew everyone was a student; everyone had things to revise for and other things going on, so they were really flexible with working hours.
I met my husband Mark on my first day at uni, which was also my birthday. I’d moved into my halls, and the girl in the room next to me had also come from Brighton, so we chatted and realised there were only girls on our floor. So, we basically went around looking for the boys. One of my friends got with the first boy we met, so he was out of the question, and then the second guy we met was Mark, who is now my husband.”
interview: Lottie Murray
photo: Matt Miller
JERUB
Jerub is a singer-songwriter who studied for a BA Social Work at the University of Nottingham and graduated in 2020. Since then he’s performed at festivals across the country, supported Pete Tong on tour and performed at the Kings Coronation Concert in May 2023. He offers his thoughts on Nottingham and his time at university here…
“I did four years at university and for two years I just focused on music a lot of the time. During Covid, I wrote a lot of songs and when I finished my degree, I started taking it more seriously. My music is influenced by my life and my time at university is part of that: the friendships, the relationships and where I was in my life at that point in time. It all contributes to the songs that I write.
My music is influenced by my life and my time at university is part of that
Nottingham has a great music scene. We have our own music festivals which span so many different music styles - Splendour, Beat The Streets, Dot to Dot, Hockley Hustle - I think that is just really cool about this city.
My advice for artists who are starting out and wanting to get their name out there is to collaborate. I think collaboration takes you from being insular to quickly exposing yourself to new inspiration and new people. Also, gigging is really good and I think the live side of things is where I find the most joy. It’s where you build a connection with an audience. You really learn to grow your craft, how to perform and tell a story through music.
I really love Hockley. One of my favourite downtime things to do is just put my headphones on and go charity shopping in Hockley, or Beeston. Anywhere in Notts is just a vibe. I feel like Coco Tang is the perfect coffee shop, because again, it’s just a great vibe over there. Another one is The Specialty, where my first show was. I also love Pudding Pantry and especially during uni, I liked Rock City and Rescue Rooms, too.”
jerubmusic.com
interview:
Alex Mace
CHRIS HAWKINS
BBC 6 Music DJ Chris Hawkins did a degree in American Studies in Nottingham in the 1990s. He’s since moved from local to national radio and interviewed everyone from Jack White to Brian Blessed along the way. He offers some tips based on his experience of the city and studying here…
“I wanted to study in Nottingham because BBC Radio Nottingham was a real flagship local radio station and I wanted to be in a city where there was a strong radio scene. I contacted them and managed to get work at BBC Nottingham before I started at university.
Follow your dreams and be sure about what you love
By September, I'd already done a couple of weeks there before enrolling and that work continued for the three years that I was on the course. At the time, I was working, living and breathing media by being on the radio in an actual BBC radio station. By my third year, I was doing drivetime radio and the sports news. I actually left a couple of my finals early in order to go and do the drivetime show.
What I loved about Nottingham is that it's a great social city. I was a regular at Rock City, as it is an easy place to see the best and biggest bands. I got to see David Bowie play there which remains one of the greatest live gigs I've ever seen. I think the hardest part of university was managing hangovers because I was partying a lot.
Follow your dreams and be sure about what you love, what you want, what you want to be, and be prepared to work incredibly hard to achieve your ambition – after all, your qualification does not equal a career. I think it's vital to gather as much experience as possible and to practise it on a day to day basis, in order to be armed for a career in the media.”
x.com/chris_hawkins
interview: Frieda Wignall
HANNA INES FLINT
Journalist, film critic, writer, broadcaster, host – in the media world, Hanna Ines Flint has practically done it all. She graduated with a degree in English and American Studies in 2009 and has since written for The Guardian, GQ, ELLE and Empire, interviewing everyone from Samuel L. Jackson, Sir Ian McKellen and Zendaya.
“I had the best three years at Nottingham. In my final year I was captain of the basketball team when we got Team of the Year and were promoted to the premiership. Playing for them gave me a whole group of girls who were amazing and great fun.
Don’t restrict yourself in thinking you have it all mapped out, because this is just a period to learn about yourself and the world and work out what you want to do
My top film recommendation for a fresher settling into university would be Legally Blonde. I love that film. It’s a great shout for someone who’s starting somewhere new, might not feel like they fit in, might feel like they’re not smart or serious enough. I think the film tells you that who you are is exactly what makes you a success and you shouldn’t have to change.
Originally, I wanted to do fashion journalism. I saw How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days and thought, ‘Ooh, that sounds fun.’ But I did a work placement during one summer at a fashion magazine and I spent the whole time in a cupboard organising clothes. Media was definitely the goal, but my idea of what I could do expanded as I grew up and got into the field.
If I could go back and speak to my university-aged self I would say don’t restrict yourself in thinking you have it all mapped out, because this is just a period to learn about yourself and the world and work out what you want to do. You’re not supposed to have all the answers yet. I hope that anyone who wants to venture into this field feels empowered to know that it’s not always going to be a straight path, but even a winding road can get you to where you want to.”
flintonfilm.com
MAX COOPER
Originally hailing from Belfast, electronica DJ and producer Max Cooper came to Nottingham in the late nineties. He left the city eight years later with his debut EP and a PhD in Computational Biology, two assets that would coalesce to influence his career for years to come…
“I think my overarching memory of university was the feeling of potential, of leaving home and arriving somewhere new where I could go out every night. After the shackles of schooling and home life in Belfast, everything opened up and I began to explore what I wanted to do on my own terms.
Find things you enjoy which could become a job and then work harder than everyone else at those things
I had my first ever drum and bass experience in the Marcus Garvey Ballroom in Lenton in 1999. I'd never even heard of DnB until I met a friend, Ross, in the halls of residence. He suggested an event at the Garvey - I think it was called Synaptic. I just remember experiencing something totally new in so many ways. Stealth also needs a mention, we all had a lot of great nights there.
I was learning to make music for the last couple of years of my research and during my Postdoc at UCL. I was working hard at both and waiting to see which one could turn into something more. It was music that won in the end. I did lots of long hours of work. My friends would go out and I'd sit in my makeshift ‘studio’ working all night on the weekend with duvets hanging on the walls - which don't really work for soundproofing by the way. I kept hammering away at it and making a lot of terrible music, and stringed together enough flop records to get started.
Experiment with life. Find things you enjoy which could become a job and then work harder than everyone else at those things. If they don't work out, you had a lot of fun in the process anyway.”
maxcooper.net
interview: Lilith Hudson photo: Alex Kozobolis
GETTING AROUND
Nottingham’s often cited as having one of the best public transport systems in the country. Here’s your guide to understanding how to use it…
NCT Buses
Nottingham City Transport is the city's main bus company and they have the largest fleet of environmentally-friendly biogas double decker buses in the world. They operate 50+ routes, but the orange line (bus numbers 34, 35 or 36) is the most useful, as it takes you straight from University Park campus, though Lenton and into the city centre. You can buy a ticket as you get on, with either contactless or cash, though if you pay in cash they will not give change. You can also buy tickets in advance through the NCTX smartphone app. If you’re under 19 then single fares are £1.70. For everyone else single fares are capped at £2 until the end of 2024. They also offer a full academic year pass for students, for £289. nctx.co.uk
Trentbarton Buses
If you need to travel beyond the city centre, trentbarton buses serve counties across the East Midlands, including wider Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire. This could be a fun and inexpensive way for you to discover a few nearby spots and most of the time their student fares are capped at £6.40 per day. You can pay on their buses using cash or contactless, but if you buy them on their ‘Mango’ app there are savings to be had. Trentbarton have also made steps to make their buses more environmentally-friendly too, adding
fuel-saving technology and introducing ultra low emission certified buses to their fleet. trentbarton.co.uk
Hopper Buses
The university runs its own Hopper Bus service between its campuses - University Park, Jubilee Campus, Sutton Bonington and King’s Meadow’. You can travel on this for free by showing your UoN student ID card.
NET Trams
Nottingham’s trams are powered entirely by renewable energy, making them one of the most environmentally-friendly ways to get around the city. A student day ticket will cost you £4.40, or you can get a single journey for £2.70. Something important to know right away is that you have to buy a ticket before you board the tram - otherwise you can face a hefty £70 fine. To avoid this, buy a ticket either at the ticket vending machines located at each stop, or via the ‘NETGO!’ app. There are two different routes that the tram takes around the city: the green line, which spans from Toton Lane to Hucknall, and the purple line, which takes you between Clifton South and Phoenix Park. The University Park campus is only covered by the green line - so, if you’re trying to get back to University Park from the city centre, get the tram that says Toton Lane. thetram.net
words: Gemma Cockrell
illustration: Natalie Owen
STUDENTS WHO STAYED
We hear from four University of Nottingham alumni who decided to make the city their home after graduation and build careers here.
Jaya Gordon-Moore
Rich Davis Journalist at BBC East Midlands Class of 2012
I first came to Nottingham in 2008. I hadn’t visited the city previously - in fact, as a Southerner, I hadn’t been further than Milton Keynes before. But, I quickly found myself settled, living in Lenton with four others. I studied French and Film and had a fantastic time. I’m now working for the BBC as a presenter and journalist. For all its notoriety, huge history and sporting prowess, Nottingham feels like quite a small city - and that’s a good thing. Its intimacy, creativity and general friendliness are the main reasons I’ve been here for so long. There’s always a new business popping up or an amazing event starting, plus the nightlife is just as good as it was in my student days. While I may have been tempted by the lure of London in the past, I’m happy and proud to call Nottingham my home. bbc.co.uk/nottingham
Performing artist at JayaHadADream Class of 2020
I was a dedicated member of the university hip hop society, which is where my rap career really started to develop wings. After graduation, I stayed in Nottingham and started doing freelance creative work around the community. Alongside this, I perform my music here multiple times a year, which has slowly helped spread me across the UK. I stayed in Nottingham because it is a passionate and motivated city. There is a range of niches and creative spaces for everyone, and the community really comes together to create moments. Being Jamaican-Irish growing up in Cambridge, I didn’t really know many people like me, but the Jamaican diaspora in Nottingham is so diverse and it helped me make sense of my blackness. My biggest advice is to get involved and stuck in. The creative ‘underworld’ here is interconnected and every opportunity leads to another. jayahadadream.com
Simran Harichand
Paid Media
Consultant
at Hallam Digital Class of 2022
I came to Nottingham from Pakistan to pursue my Masters in Marketing from the University of Nottingham, following my Bachelors in Business Administration. Towards the tail-end of my dissertation, I joined Hallam (a digital marketing agency) as an intern in the strategy department. Upon the completion of my degree, I joined them full-time, where I currently work as a Paid Media Consultant. My role involves running digital advertisements for all my clients across a multitude of platforms, including Google, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. In addition, I speak to clients regularly to set the strategy and the objectives of their marketing activity and tweak my advertising activity to meet their business objectives. Overall, my role is to act as an extended version of my clients’ marketing department, help them set a marketing strategy and then work on achieving their business objectives through digital advertising. hallaminternet.com
Peter Paul Akanko Founder of Kente Master Class of 2021
After graduating from my Masters in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management, and with support from the Ingenuity Lab at UoN, I went ahead to launch my fashion business Kente Master in October 2022, with the aim of making people stand out and have the most memorable experiences through a unique range of high quality products. Kente is a highly valued hand woven traditional fabric made by local weavers in Ghana and thus Kente Master combines creativity and modern fashion trends with this fabric, creating high-end products which leave a lasting impression on customers and gives them a sense of uniqueness at their special occasions. We also intend to collaborate with local designers in Nottingham to further expand our product range, which currently includes graduation scarves, clothing and accessories, which are sold on our website. kentemaster.uk
THE SUBURBS
illustrations: Becky Riley
There’s more to Nottingham than just the campus and the city centre. The city is full of suburbs with their own distinct local identities...
New Basford.
Population: 17k
Postcode: NG6
Claim to fame: William Roache (aka Ken Barlow from Coronation Street) was born here
Go see: Vernon Park is a lovely place to chill in the summer.
Main bus from city: 70, yellow line
recorded as far back as the Domesday book in 1086. Located in the south west of the city.
Population: 27k
Postcode: NG11
Claims to fame: Birthplace of Jake Bugg (musician), Samantha Morton (actress) and Viv Anderson (footballer)
Go see: Clifton All Whites FC, the breeding ground for several ex-England footballers.
Bus from city: 48, navy line
Located near the main university campus, it’s a popular area for students –particularly postgrads who want a more laid-back lifestyle.
Population: 37k
Postcode: NG9
Claim to fame: Motown legend Edwin Starr lived here for many years.
Go see: George the Beekeeper sculpture on Beeston High Road.
Bus from city: 36, orange line
The name might suggest that you’ll be entering a leafy woodland, but this northerly area is actually one of the cities most densely populated.
Population: 21k
Postcode: NG7
Claim to fame: Forest Recreation Ground, which was the birthplace of Nottingham Forest FC.
Go see: New Art Exchange or Goose Fair on the Forest Rec.
Bus from city: 68, yellow line
A very popular area with students and home to Nottingham’s biggest hospital, the Queen’s Medical Centre.
Population: 11k
Postcode: NG7
Claim to fame: The global headquarters of miniature behemoths Games Workshop are here.
Go see: A film at the beautiful art deco Savoy Cinema.
Bus from city: 35, orange line
Located next to the River Trent, this is a traditionally working-class area that was originally constructed to house railway workers.
Population: 9k
Postcode: NG2
Claim to fame: Former Leicester City FC captain Wes Morgan grew up here.
Go see: Nottingham War Memorial on The Embankment.
Bus from city: 48, navy line
Lying about three miles to the east of the city centre, Netherfield is a largely residential town, with Colwick its bordering village.
Population: 10k
Postcode: NG4
Claim to fame: Despite its diminutive size, Netherfield still has its own dedicated train station.
Go see: Relax by the lake at Colwick Country Park.
Bus from city: 44, red line
Named after the patron saint of lacemakers, this area has a largely working-class population and a diverse ethnic mix.
Population: 23k
Postcode: NG3
Claim to fame: St Ann's Allotments is the oldest and largest allotment site in England
Go see: Stonebridge City Farm, an urban farm with pigs, cows and goats.
Bus from city: 41, blue line
No men in tights or wooded areas to be seen, this northern suburb is an affordable, artistic haven of independent cafes and shops.
Population: 16k
Postcode: NG5
Claim to fame: MP Nadia Whittome was the UK’s youngest MP when elected in 2019.
Go see: Sherwood high street has a great range of charity shops and bars.
Bus from city: 89, navy line
houses and a good share of student homes.
Population: 47k
Postcode: NG2
Claim to fame: Nottingham Forest, Notts County, the cricket and the rugby are all based around here.
Go see: Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.
Bus from city: 6 and 7, green line
Population: 13k
Postcode: NG2
Claim to fame: Film director Shane Meadows shot dozens of short films here.
Go see: Green’s Windmill, a restored and working nineteenth century windmill.
Bus from city: 43, red line
western parish that balances the surroundings of Wollaton Hall and Deer Park.
Population: 25k
Postcode: NG8
Claim to fame: Wollaton Hall doubled as Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises (2012).
Go see: The deer at Wollaton Park.
Bus from city: 30, pink line
HOW TO TALK NOTTS
words: Bridie Squires
illustrations: Natalie Owen
Welcome to your beginner’s guide to the Nottingham language. Keep this handy translation kit with you on your travels around the city, and you’ll be sure to decipher the local vernacular in no time. Like anything, the Nottingham dialect tends to vary from town to town, with West Bridgford residents sounding rather different to those in Sneinton - so be careful before you start practising with the locals!
LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK
USEFUL WORDS AND PHRASES
Hello – Ayup / Ayup me duck
Term of endearment - Duck or duck-eh
Goodbye – Tarrar/Tattar
Yes – Yeh
No – Nehhh
How are you? – Yer ‘right?
Something – Summat
Here you go – Ee-yar (‘Here you are’)
Thank you – Ta (pronounced ‘tar’)
Nothing – Nowt (pronounced ‘nowt’)
You’re making me grumpy – Yer mekkin’ meh mardeh
Someone who is listening uninvitedFlappin’ tabs
To make a cup of tea - Mash
The skies are looking dark - It’s a bit black over Bill’s mother’s Grumpy - Mardy
Cob
Musheh Peas
Nobby greens
Tuffies/duddos
Guzzgogs
Taters
Watter
Sukka
STUDENT TOP TIPS
Students offering you the benefit of their experiences…
Jake Longhurst (Mechanical Engineering)
I would recommend joining a local club or group, because this will help you meet people who share your hobbies. For me, this has been Notts Hurricanes Rugby Club, an LGBTQ+ friendly squad of players of all ages, gender identities, sexualities, and abilities. The team is beginner level, so even if you’ve never touched a rugby ball you’d be more than welcome to turn up. You can find out more on their Instagram page @nottshurricanes, and you’re welcome to join us for training on Tuesday evenings at Nottingham Casuals Rugby Club in Beeston.
Vivika Sahajpal (Liberal Arts)
Nottingham is a diverse, vibrant city and the biggest takeaway from my first year was that it genuinely has something for everyone. There’s an incredible range of societies catering to all sorts of interests and the city itself is full of interesting coffee shops, cocktail bars and clubs waiting to be discovered. Step outside your comfort zone, try new things, and get involved: you’ll meet incredible people and make incredible memories if you open yourself up to new experiences. These years are the start of the rest of your life, so make them count!
Archie Wood (Economics)
One of the best pieces of advice I can give to those starting university is to go in with the “just throw yourself into everything” attitude. This piece of advice lends itself to meeting new people, joining clubs, societies and sports teams, as well as exploring the city. When starting university, it feels like you’ve just been chucked into the middle of the ocean, but trust me, everyone is on the same boat. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to everyone you meet and join a society that you’re passionate about.
Izzy Morris (Liberal Arts)
When it comes to looking for a student house for next year, you don’t need to rush to a decision. It’s worth waiting until all your personal criteria have been filled rather than signing for a house you’re not going to be happy with. Take time to consider all of your options. Some people move in with their new best friends from Freshers’, only to discover a few weeks down the line that they’re no longer friends. So, take your time and wait for the right people and place to present themselves to you. Your second-year self will definitely thank you for it.
Lucas Mannion (Psychology)
Immerse yourself in the city. For me, this has been through the beautiful and inclusive community that Nottingham’s Queer Arts Collective have created. It was set up to celebrate the artistic works of queer folks in the city, running events on the last Wednesday of every month at the Nottingham Playhouse to uplift local queer artists and performers. These events showcase performances from a range of artistic disciplines, including poetry, music, comedy, puppetry, burlesque, and drag. The collective has also run social gatherings, and their open mic nights allow anyone to take the stage.
Emily Campbell (English and History)
My top tip for new students is to be food savvy! Take a packed lunch and invest in an insulated reusable bottle - it will keep your drink cold or hot, save you money, and prevent plastic waste. Also, when travelling to places that are beyond walking distance, make use of trams and buses - they run frequently, making them a great alternative to bringing a car to uni. With energy prices so high, I would suggest investing in a large clothes airer to avoid using the tumble dryer. Cooking with friends is also a way to reduce your house’s energy output.
GREEN NOTTS
Thanks to its love of solar panels and electric transport, Nottingham has become the UK’s most energy-self-sufficient city. That’s a title we are dead proud of, and we are always trying to improve and expand on what we’re doing – so much so that Nottingham City Council has launched a campaign to make the city carbon neutral by 2028, the most ambitious reduction target of any UK core city. But how can you help green up the place during your stay?
Meet new people and pick your neighbourhood clean
Nottingham Clean Champions are a volunteer litter picking group who will provide you with a free litter picker, tabard, and bin bags if you join the many thousands of people who have already signed up. So, what are you waiting for? Take your friends along and turn it into a fun day out.
nottinghamcity.gov.uk/cleanchampions
Get involved in conservation in local green spaces
Nottingham Green Guardians manage over 250 parks across the city, while the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust protects the county’s wildlife and restores biodiversity. Or, you can become a Wildlife Champion for Wild.NG, working to encourage pollinators to visit our residential streets. nottinghamgreenguardians.co.uk nottinghamshirewildlife.org wild-ng.uk
Swoop into animal rescue efforts
The Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group works to conserve the wildlife of Nottinghamshire, and you will find plenty of advice on their website for how to extend their work into your local area. Or, if you want to help a specific species, check out the Nottingham Bat Group or Swift Street. nottsbag.org.uk nottsbatgroup.org.uk we-are-instar.co.uk/swiftstreet
Get to know your natural environment
Find out more about the woodland areas of Nottingham with The Nottingham Forager’s sessions, and while you’re there, take some snaps for the City Nature Challenge citizen science project, where the goal is to observe as many different species as possible. And if you want to get even more steps in, look out for information about the free annual Inclosure Walk, which takes place every June. thenottinghamforager.com
Party at Nottingham’s green festivals
Nottingham Green Festival has been going since 1991 and takes place each September at the Arboretum, while relative newcomers Green Hustle run festivals in the market square in June. Both are great places to follow on social media to find out about the latest nature and community boosting projects they are running. nottmgreenfest.org.uk greenhustle.co.uk
Make some small changes to the way you live
Turn off lights when you leave a room; remember to recycle; don’t overfill the kettle with more water than you need; and put the lid on your saucepan to trap the heat in. Instead of wacking up the thermostat when you start to get chilly, put on a jumper instead. Just think, the money you save on heating now can be spent on an afternoon out with your friends later.
words: Gemma Cockrell illustration: Iulia Matei
If, by the time you graduate, you take part in every activity on this list then you can count yourself as a local.
So, you want a bit of insider knowledge about Nottingham?
Over the next thirty pages we’re going to give you the benefit of our local experience and a short cut to find out about some of the best nightclubs, festivals, live music venues, bars, theatres, cinemas, art galleries, museums, shops, restaurants, cafes, parks and more that the city has to offer.
It’s the...
BEST OF NOTTINGHAM
NIGHT CLUBS
Nottingham is known for its student nightlife and for some of you, this will be your first time hitting the clubs. Here are our top picks…
With four areas and eight bars, Ink really does have something for all your mates - but be prepared to lose most of them. If you tire of one floor then simply head to another, just don’t break any bones tumbling down the endless flights of stairs. clubink.co.uk
The NTU student union bar is open as a bar every day and also doubles as a gig venue. However, it also treats you to one wild night every Saturday. Don’t worry UoN students, they’ll let you in too. thelevelnottingham.co.uk
Nottingham’s only club strictly for students and only opens two nights a week. On Wednesdays it’s all about NTU, while Fridays are reserved for UoN. A dip in the ‘Big O’ consists of cheesy pop anthems until the early hours of the morning. oceantickets.com
Believe it or not, this nightclub is due to celebrate it’s 100th birthday in 2025. Formerly Pryzm and Ritzy, it’s been closed for a year, but local promoters DHP Family took it over this summer, returned it to its original name and have given it a new lease of life. thepalais.co.uk
The housey younger brother to Rescue Rooms, Stealth describes itself as the “musical mecca” for dance fans in the Midlands, and prides itself on showcasing the newest musical talent each week. They often bring resident DJs and mix it up with hip hop and nineties throwbacks. stealthclub.co.uk
One of the city’s most beloved and legendary music venues, Rock City doubles as a nightclub, too. If you’re a UoN student, Crisis Wednesdays are your day, but they also host events throughout the week including Tuned on Thursdays, Get Lucky Fridays and Rebel Rebel Saturdays. rock-city.co.uk
Ink Queen Street, NG1 2BL
The Level Shakespeare Street, NG1 4GH
Ocean Greyfriar Gate, NG1 7EF
The Palais
Lower Parliament Street, NG1 3BB
Stealth Goldsmith Street, NG1 5JT
Rock City
Talbot Street, NG1 5GG
FESTIVALS
Beat the Streets
Everyone loves a festival. Here’s a dozen of the best you can find in or near Nottingham. Most of them don’t even involve pitching a tent…
January, various venues
Charity music festival which raises money each year to help local homeless charities. Advance tickets cost around a tenner and you get to choose from 50 or so acts at Rock City, Rescue Rooms, Bodega, Stealth and Rough Trade. beatthestreetsuk.com
Dot to Dot Festival
May, various venues
Taking place on the late May bank holiday at Rock City, NTSU, The Bodega, and Rescue Rooms. Acts who have played this on their way up include Yard Act, Squid, Bob Vylan, Dua Lipa, Wolf Alice, The 1975, London Grammar, Metronomy and Ed Sheeran. dottodotfestival.co.uk
Em-Con June, Motorpoint Arena
Less of a ‘festival’ than one of the country's biggest TV, film and pop culture events. For two days the city's biggest venue is packed out by people you’ve seen on TV offering autographs and photo opps. 2023 guests included Warwick Davis, Christina Chong and Tony Robinson. nottingham.em-con.co.uk
Forbidden Forest
June, Belvoir Castle
Forbidden Forest has been going for eight years now, expanding into a full-blown camping festival in 2022. Expect a stand-out soundtrack of house, techno and DnB, for a forest rave like you've never experienced before. forbidden-forest.co.uk
Goose Fair
October, Forest Recreation Ground
Officially Europe’s biggest travelling fair, a visit to the annual Nottingham Goose Fair is a must. You’ll find it spread over ten days at the Forest Recreation Ground, just a short way up the hill from the city centre and the Arboretum. goosefair.co.uk
Hockley Hustle
October, various venues
Hockley Hustle sees the city’s best musicians, artists and performers take over dozens of venues for charity each October. The festival has become a local staple since it began in 2006, and it also has its own dedicated green festival, Green Hustle. hockleyhustle.co.uk
FESTIVALS
Mayhem Film Festival October, Broadway Cinema
If you like international horror films, sci-fi and cult cinema, then you’ll love Mayhem Film Festival. It usually takes place over four or five days in the build up to Halloween, taking over the wonderful Broadway cinema for screenings, parties and much more. mayhemfilmfestival.com
Nottingham Craft Beer Festival June, Sneinton Market Avenues
If you like craft beer, congratulations - you’ve moved to one of the UK’s hotspots. Every year, a massive weekend-long festival takes place outdoors in the Sneinton Market Avenues, welcoming around 5000 visitors across three sessions. nottinghamcraftbeer.co.uk
Nottingham Comedy Festival November, various venues
Offering two weeks of much-needed cheer in the winter months, Nottingham Comedy Festival started in 2008 and programmes dozens upon dozens of stand-up performances each year at various venues around the city. nottinghamcomedyfestival.co.uk
Nottingham Poetry Festival June, various venues
If you like spoken word then Nottingham has a great scene and this annual festival serves as the pinnacle to it each year. Expect big name headliners (previously Roger McGough, Lemn Sissay, Michael Rosen and Linton Kwesi Johnson) and plenty of local talent. nottinghampoetryfestival.com
Nottinghamshire Pride July, various venues
Pride exists to bring the LGBTQ+ community together, to remember how far we've come and to remind ourselves and the world how much more we still have to achieve. It is a magical day for all, filling the streets with singers, comedians, spoken word artists, and drag royalty. nottspride.co.uk
Splendour July, Wollaton Park
Nottingham’s biggest music festival is set to return in 2025 after a year off. Previous headliners include Madness, Pet Shop Boys, Noel Gallagher, Dizzee Rascal, Manic St Preachers, Kaiser Chiefs and Scissor Sisters splendourfestival.com
LIVE MUSIC
The Bodega
Welcome to one of the best music scenes in the country, with a range of venues suitable for both big names and emerging artists...
Pelham Street, NG1 2ED
The Bodega does it all; club nights, weekly quizzes and, most famously, live music events. In the past, huge acts like The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys and The 1975 have graced the stage. Catch the next lot of up-and-coming talents who will one day be household names. bodeganottingham.com
The Chapel
7 Stoney Street, NG1 1LG
The live music venue situated above The Angel Microbrewery at the heart of Nottingham’s buzzing Hockley. Over the years this place has been both a chapel and a brothel, but it’s best known for heavy sweaty gigs. facebook.com/thechapelnottingham
JT Soar
Aberdeen Street, NG3 2DG
In a former life, JT Soar was a fruit and veg warehouse. Gone are the days of apple and cauliflowers; this tiny Sneinton venue is now one of the city's best DIY music spaces and where Sleaford Mods record their tunes. facebook.com/JTSoar
The behemoth venue where all the truly massive acts go. In the past Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Foo Fighters, Dua Lipa and many, many more have played here. It’s also home to regular Nottingham Panthers ice hockey matches. motorpointarenanottingham.com
Huntingdon Street, NG1 1AP
This intimate venue is home to all things that deserve a stage: music, moving images, video games, live performances and the spoken word. Home to regular BBC Introducing showcases, you can see national and international artists too. metronome.uk.com
Billy Bootleggers
13-15 Weekday Cross, NG1 2GB
This self-styled ‘dive bar’ in the heart of the Lace Market brings a host of rock n’ roll gigs plus a club upstairs. Check out their listings for mid-week music and late night dancing at the weekend. facebook.com/billybootleggersnottingham
Motorpoint Arena
Bolero Square, NG1 1LA
Metronome
LIVE MUSIC
At its core this place is actually an Italian restaurant, but on Fridays and Saturdays they put on free live jazz. A great intimate spot for a special date night, with plenty of wines and cocktails to keep you hydrated. thepelicanclub.co.uk
A jazz club, bar and kitchen based in Nottingham city centre. It is a leading venue on the UK’s jazz circuit, so for fans of the genre it’s a must visit - they even offer concession tickets for selected shows. peggysskylight.co.uk
For intimate gigs that still give you a bit of elbow room, this venue comes to the rescue. Big names such as The Killers, Ellie Goulding and Chase & Status have rocked the stage. They also host an open mic night every Monday in the bar. rescuerooms.com
There’s only five Rough Trade venues in the world, you know. Two in London, one in New York, one in Bristol and this one in Nottingham. It’s a record shop with a great live music venue upstairs. They’ve had some pretty big names in too - usually you just have to buy the record to get a ticket for the gig. roughtrade.com
The music-led sister venue to the Theatre Royal, which has a capacity of 2200 over three tiers. Originally opened in November 1982 by Elton John, in recent years it’s more often used by musical theatre, legacy acts and big touring comedians. trch.co.uk
Styling itself as a Nashville style "Weekender Bar" this place only opens up on Fridays and Saturdays and puts on local and international blues and rock bands, as well as serving up a top selection of ales. facebook.com/runninghorsenottingham
The Pelican Club
55 St Mary’s Place, NG1 1PH
Peggy’s Skylight
George Street, NG1 3BH
Rescue Rooms
Goldsmith Street, NG1 5LB
Rough Trade
Broad Street, NG1 3AJ
Running Horse
16 Alfreton Road, NG7 3NG
Royal Concert Hall
Theatre Square, Nottingham NG1 5ND
DRINKS
From
cocktails to craft beer; Nottingham’s vast range of bars and pubs know how to make and serve up a tasty beverage...
Angel Microbrewery
7 Stoney Street, NG1 1LG
One of the best-loved pubs in Hockley. A proper boozer, with a solid food menu, featuring plenty of veggie, vegan and gluten free options. Look out for their regular happy hour deals on beer and there’s even a gig venue upstairs. theangelmicrobrewery.co.uk
Beeston Social Station Street, NG9 2WJ
With an Instagram-friendly interior decor, along with retro games to keep the fun going, this place makes the perfect regular haunt, particularly for those at UoN since it’s right near your campus. During happy hour, you can get two cocktails for £10.95, which only sweetens the deal. thebeestonsocial.com
Castle Rock Brewery Various venues
Castle Rock own a dozen or so pubs in the city, including the Canalhouse, Kean’s Head and the Embankment. They do a fab range of core ales, and also have their ultra special ‘Nottinghamian’ beers named after famous local folk. castlerockbrewery.com
Coco Tang
Byard Lane, NG1 2GJ
This underground bar was designed to resemble an old Hong Kong street, complete with a traditional Vietnamese courtyard style roof garden. Popular with UoN students on Tuesdays, grab one of the coffee and tea based cocktails which they specialise in. cocotang.co.uk
Hockley Arts Club
20a Carlton Street, NG1 1NN
A real hidden gem tucked away behind the backstreets of Hockley. The décor is second-to-none; cosy and eclectic with lots of neon signage, extended across three different rooms with different vibes. One of the most instagrammable spots in Notts. thehockleyartsclub.com
Liquid Light
Alfred Street South, NG3 1GE
Like craft beer? Like the idea of drinking it straight from the place where it was brewed? This Sneinton-based brewery tap room is only open on weekends and also has regular live events and great vegan street food. liquidlightbrewco.com
DRINKS
Malt Cross 16 St Jame’s Street, NG1 6FG
A charity-run bar and eatery set in a historic Victorian Music hall that dates back to 1877. A solid bar and food menu makes this an equally great spot for Sunday dinner or a drink with friends. They also have regular events including DJs, live music and life drawing classes. maltcross.co.uk
St Anns Street, NG1 3LX
The New Foresters has been an LGBTQ+ pub since 1958 and holds a pink plaque as one of the oldest community spaces in the UK. Last year, angel wings were installed against the wall outdoors - the perfect spot for an Instagram photo or two. newforestersnottingham.co.uk
Penny Lane
Fletcher Gate, NG1 1QQ
This snazzy bar doubles as a classic arcade complete with air hockey, claw machines and penny pushers. The fairground-themed cocktails are a real treat, including the sweet ‘Jammy Dodgem’ and ‘Hook-ADuck’ sharer. Don’t forget to bring change! pennylanebars.com
Pepper Rocks
Pepper Street, NG1 2GH
This one’s a favourite with anyone looking for a quiet drink, which means it can get a bit packed on a weekend, even on the terrace. If you get there before 10pm, you’ll be able to make the most of their Happy Hour deal - house cocktails for £5.50 each. pepperrocks.co.uk
Pitcher and Piano
High Pavement, NG1 1HN
Located inside a redundant church, this is arguably one of the most stunning bars in Nottingham. Admire the stained glass windows and beautiful architecture whilst enjoying cocktails. Also a good place to take parents when they come to visit. pitcherandpiano.com
Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem 1 Brewhouse Yard, NG1 6AD ,
Ancient pub built into sandstone caves with a charming, wonky interior and resident ghosts. The pub claims to have been established in 1189 and is thus the oldest inn in England, although some history boffins might argue. A great place to take your folks. facebook.com/YeOldeTripToJerusalem
New Foresters
STAGE
Nottingham has an excellent reputation for fantastic theatre, comedy, dance and performance; from home-grown productions to international touring shows…
This 178-seat space in Arnold hosts theatre productions, live music, films, comedy and dance. Part of a complex including the local leisure centre and library, it’s a very welcoming community-orientated space. boningtontheatre.co.uk
Always yearned to be a circus performer? Like the idea of becoming adept with aerial silks, hoops and trapeze? This studio and training hub in Sneinton Avenues offers group and one-to-one classes by experienced performers. circushubnotts.com
250-capacity theatre based at Lakeside Arts, the Southern entrance of University Park campus, near Highfields Park’s beautiful lake. They host a year-round programme of music, dance, comedy and theatre productions from the iconic DH Lawrence Pavilion building, plus art exhibitions too. lakesidearts.org.uk
Fabric 7 Dakeyne Street, NG3 2AR
A dance development organisation which aims to inspire people through dance. They offer adult classes and various other opportunities for people under 25 to get involved. Based near Sneinton, they put on shows across the city. fabric.dance
The Garage 63 High Road, NG9 4AJ
A former bus depot, this vast airy space has in recent years become a hub of activity in Beeston and Chilwell. Look out for regular comedy and music nights, as well as markets and street food events. thegaragechilwell.co.uk
Just the Tonic
Huntingdon Street, NG1 1AP
Celebrating their thirtieth birthday in 2024, Just the Tonic is a national comedy club that began in Nottingham. They regularly take over Metronome, and have hosted everyone from Ricky Gervais to Stewart Lee over the years. justthetonic.com
Bonington Theatre
High Street, NG5 7EE
Circus Hub
Unit 2, Nelson Street, NG1 1DR
Djanogly Theatre
University Park, NG7 2RD
STAGE
Lace Market Theatre
Halifax Place, NG1 1QN
A small independent amateur theatre, located right in the city centre. It’s owned and operated by a registered charity and they are always looking for new members and host cast auditions for pretty much every show. lacemarkettheatre.co.uk
Nottingham Arts Theatre
George Street, NG1 3BE-
You can’t miss this one - it’s bright pink, after all. Founded in 2001 as an educational charity, Nottingham Arts Theatre is the city's premiere community theatre, hosting productions from local schools, colleges, drama societies, and more. nottingham-theatre.co.uk
Nottingham New Theatre
Cherry Tree Hill, NG7 2RD
The only entirely student-run theatre in England, the Nottingham New Theatre produces over thirty shows a year, including a host of original student-written pieces. It’s the best bet locally for students who want to get into theatre. newtheatre.org.uk
Nottingham Playhouse
Wellington Circus, NG1 5AF
Crowned Regional Theatre of the Year by The Stage Awards 2019, Nottingham Playhouse is one of the UK’s leading theatres. It is dedicated to bringing daring performances and timeless classics to the heart of the city. nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Squire Performing Arts Centre Arboretum Street, NG1 4JB
A modern small-scale theatre close to the city centre, which provides a home to theatre, dance, music, comedy and much more. They have two performance spaces, one seating 260 and another seating 74. squirepac.co.uk
Theatre Royal
Theatre Square, NG1 5ND
Nottingham’s Royal Centre is split into two sections: the Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall. One side is the place to be for upcoming theatre productions, and the other hosts touring acts, featuring big name comedians and musicians. trch.co.uk
Classical concerts from only £3
SCREEN
Need a break from Netflix or Amazon Prime? Go and check out something new on the big screen instead...
Arc Cinema Station Road, NG9 2WJ
State of the art cinema in Beeston with eight screens, luxury reclining leather seats and all the latest tech. They offer student discount on all screenings every Monday and also have a sister cinema a few miles away in Hucknall. beeston.arccinema.co.uk
Broadway Cinema
Broad Street, NG1 3AL
Independent cinema, situated in the heart of bustling Hockley. This place has a rich history, serving as an incubator for UK filmmakers like Shane Meadows and Jeanie Finlay. They do £5 tickets for under-25s for all shows; check out the Paul Smith seats and the top-notch bar. broadway.org.uk
Cineworld
29 Forman Street, NG1 4AA
With over 100 multiplexes across the UK and Ireland, you probably already know what Cineworld offers. The Nottingham branch is situated right in the city centre, conveniently near several bus routes and student tickets cost £5.99 for most films. cineworld.co.uk
Mammoth
Broad Street, NG1 3AP
Mammoth is a 22-seat climate change action cinema. They curate and present films focused around environmental issues as well as engaging with the community on social and environmental issues in an effort to encourage debate, and inspire action. mammothcinema.co.uk
Savoy Cinema
Derby Road, NG7 1QN
This art deco treat is an absolute must - not only is it the city’s only surviving pre-Second World War cinema, but it’s situated right in the middle of the student hub of Lenton. Even better, it’s only £5 per ticket if you show your student card. savoyonline.co.uk
Showcase
Redfield Way, NG7 2UW
Situated about 15 mins walk away from the main University of Nottingham campus, Showcase is an American owned cinema chain with branches all over the country. They offer student discount on films, participate in Meerkat 2 for 1 deals and have some fancy reclining chairs. showcasecinemas.co.uk
ART
If art is your thing, then Nottingham has plenty of studios, galleries and exhibition spaces to visit...
A two-storey independent art gallery located in Sneinton, Backlit provides affordable studio spaces, supports early career graduates and emerging artists, and puts on some amazing, and often confrontational, exhibitions. backlit.org.uk
By Our Hands We Make Our
A welcoming woodwork-based workshop that also puts on music and art events and more besides. Based in Sneinton Market Avenues, which is one of the city's main havens for art and creative businesses. wemakeourway.co.uk
Bonington Gallery Dryden Street, NG1 4GG
An exhibition space and curatorial entity situated within the art and design department at Nottingham Trent Uni. They curate a monthly programme of exhibits that are always interesting and thought-provoking. Worth paying the other uni a visit for. boningtongallery.co.uk
The Carousel
25 Hockley, NG1 1FH
A work and performance space run by an artists collective, who also put on regular public events from ‘collage n’ cocktail’ nights to DJ sets. Located on the corner of Hockley and well worth a visit to see one of the eclectic range of events they programme. thecarousel.uk
City Arts 11-13 Hockley, NG1 1FH
From sauerkraut-making workshops to digital art, City Arts is a four-decade-old collective centred on inclusivity and accessibility, with a base in Hockley. They run regular exhibitions and events and believe everyone is an artist. city-arts.org.uk
Art Gallery University Park, NG7 2RD
Located on the University Park campus, Djanogly Gallery presents a year-round programme of twentieth-century and contemporary exhibitions by a range of artists. All of the exhibitions are complemented by public lectures, too. lakesidearts.org.uk
Backlit Ashley Street, NG3 1JG
Way Unit 42, Sneinton Market
Djanogny
Gasleak Mountain
7 Carlton Road, NG3 2DG
An art gallery and community interest company located near Sneinton Market. It’s run by four local artists and holds exhibitions often focussing on alternative art and activism. instagram.com/gasleakmountain
Montana Paint Shop
Unit 13, Avenue A, NG1 1DT
This place is actually a paint shop, but we’ve included it as we believe it’s the only shop in the UK to be run in association with Montana who produce the famous paint spray cans. A mecca for artists and the hub of Nottingham’s well-respected local street art scene. montanashop.co.uk
New Art Exchange
Gregory Boulevard, NG7 6BE
A showcase of contemporary art, but with a focus on cultural diversity. New Art Exchange believes that art can stimulate political debate, but that the voices of non-white artists need to be better represented. nae.org.uk
Nottingham Contemporary
Weekday Cross, NG1 2GB
One of Britain’s leading, and largest, centres for contemporary art, with several major exhibitions per year and hundreds of other events aside. It’s totally free to have a look around, and they have a lovely cafe downstairs to visit afterwards. nottinghamcontemporary.org
Primary
Seely Road, NG7 3FZ
An artist-led and not-for-profit studio located in an old primary school just off Ilkeston Road. They hire out spaces, have regular exhibitions, and host many artist workshops dedicated to different themes. weareprimary.org
Surface Gallery
16 Southwell Road, NG1 1DL
A volunteer-run gallery with a community emphasis, housing studio and exhibition spaces for contemporary artists. Most of their exhibitions are free to enter and they’re often collective shows rather than by individual artists. surfacegallery.org
MUSEUMS
Enjoy a bit of history and like the idea of learning more about the place that you live? Here’s half a dozen local museums that will help you understand the city better…
A restored 19th Century tower mill, once home to mathematical physicist George Green, who once inspired Albert Einstein to visit the city. The windmill has been turning again since 1986, climb inside it, visit their interactive science centre and chill on the grassy hilltop. greensmill.org.uk
Steeped in over 800 years of history, Newstead is a monastic Abbey from the late 12th century and the former home of the romantic poet Lord Byron. The exquisite gardens are worth the visit alone, or you can take one of their regular tours around the house itself. newsteadabbey.org.uk
National Holocaust Centre
Acre Edge Road, NG22 0PA
The UK's first permanent museum, memorial and education site focusing on the Holocaust. Dedicated to remembrance and education, the surrounding countryside provides a peaceful setting as does their beautifully landscaped Memorial Garden. holocaust.org.uk
National Justice Museum
High Pavement, NG1 1HN
Got a passion for history? Want to see what living in Nottingham was like in the past? Then visit this museum of crime, punishment and social justice, based in the Grade II listed Shire Hall. You'll meet their team of costumed characters who bring the museum to life. nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk
Nottingham Castle
Lenton Road, NG1 6EL
After a multi-million pound renovation, Nottingham Castle reopened its gates in 2023, and it is back and better than ever. Lovely grounds and some interesting artefacts, you can buy a single-purchase ticket that allows you to revisit unlimited for twelve months. nottinghamcastle.org.uk
Rigg Lane, NG15 9AJ
A brilliant example of beautiful and innovative Victorian engineering, this quaint water station, designed in the early 1880s, once pumped millions of gallons of clean fresh water to the rapidly increasing population of the city. Admission is currently £4 per person. papplewickpumpingstation.org.uk
Greens Windmill
Windmill Lane, NG2 4QB
Newstead Abbey
Newstead Village, NG15 8NA
Papplewick Pumping Station
ACTIVITIES
Escapologic
Stuck for a fun day out? We’ve got you covered for a whole range of activities that will get the adrenaline pumping and pique your competitive nature…
Castle Gate, NG1 7AQ
Nottingham has quite a few escape rooms, but this is one of the best with eleven rooms to choose from. Prices are slightly cheaper off-peak (Mon-Thurs) than on weekends. Will you and your group crack the codes and escape? Only one way to find out… escapologic.com
Hatchet Harry’s
Lister Gate, NG1 7DD
Indoor axe throwing may not be the first activity that comes to mind when thinking of fun things to do in Nottingham, but it is probably the most unique one you’ll find. It may sound a bit dangerous, but don’t worry, they put an emphasis on safety! nottingham.hatchetharrys.co.uk
Lost City
The Cornerhouse, NG1 4DB
Go deep below the Cornerhouse and you will find an adventure golf experience that’s a bit like something out of an Indiana Jones film. If you’re looking to impress, make sure to get a few rounds in as practice before you take your mates there. lostcityadventuregolf.com
National Ice Centre Bolero Square, Belward Street, NG1 1LA
Whether you’re a seasoned skater or a complete beginner, this is your chance to skate around at one of the leading ice skating facilities in Europe. It’s just £7 for a session if you flash your student card too. national-ice-centre.com
Nottingham Bowl
Belward Street, NG1 1JZ
The biggest ten pin bowling alley in the city and one of the biggest in the UK. They offer a regular student game price of £6.80 per person. They also have a nine-hole golf course upstairs, a karaoke box and plenty of food and drink options. nottinghambowl.co.uk
Nottingham Climbing Centre
212 Noel Street, NG7 7FR
If climbing is your thing this bouldering and roped wall centre will suit your needs. One of the longest-running of its type in the UK, it’s £8 for a student day pass or cheaper if you buy a punch card with more sessions. nottingham-climbing.co.uk
SPORT
Nottingham Forest FC
Love live sport? Nottingham boasts top level football, cricket, rugby, ice hockey and more besides…
The City Ground, NG2 5FJ
Nottingham Forest have a rich history dating back to 1865 and are now firmly established back in the Premier League. Their home turf, the City Ground, can be found over in West Bridgford, although beware that it’s not easy to get match tickets these days. nottinghamforest.co.uk
Nottingham Panthers
Belward Street, NG1 1LA
One of the UK’s most successful ice hockey clubs is based at the National Ice Centre and boasts a massive fan following, making their games super exciting to watch. With multiple major league titles in their trophy cabinet, take the chance to catch them in action. panthers.co.uk
Nottingham Racecourse
Colwick Park, NG2 4BE
Situated at Colwick Park, beside the River Trent and not too far from the city centre, this is the perfect spot for a day out with your mates. The races always throw up good laughs and it gives you an excuse to dress up all fancy. thejockeyclub.co.uk/nottingham
Nottingham Rugby
Trent Boulevard, NG2 5BD
This rugby union side currently play in the RFU Championship (the second tier of English rugby) and have their home at Lady Bay. The first team are nicknamed The Archers, a nod to the famous Robin Hood. nottinghamrugby.co.uk
Notts County FC
Meadow Lane, NG2 3HJ
Known as the Magpies thanks to their black and white kit colour, this League Two team call Meadow Lane home, and they lay claim to the title of the World’s Oldest Football League Club. Match tickets cost £16 if you are 22 or under. nottscountyfc.co.uk
Trent Bridge Cricket
Trent Bridge, NG2 6AG
Nothing can beat a drink in the sun with a game of cricket - and what’s better than doing that at Trent Bridge, a ground considered to be one of the best in the world? This swanky venue hosts county cricket, T20, The Hundred and regular international test series’. trentbridge.co.uk
SHOPS
Yes, there are a lot of shops in the city. However, we’ve tried to pick some out here that are independent, unique and particularly worthy of your attention…
If you want to look cool while protecting the environment, head over to the Lace Market area for some branded and reworked pieces. Their varied price range means you are bound to find a bargain here. wearecow.com
Five Leaves Bookshop
Long Row, NG1 2DH
The place to go to find smaller independent publishers, with sections including politics, speculative fiction, LGBTQ+ fiction and nonfiction, poetry and more. Tucked down an alleyway right near the Market Square. fiveleavesbookshop.co.uk
Hopkinson
21 Station Street, NG2 3AJ
Sitting opposite Nottingham train station are four floors of vintage, antique and bric a brac goodies, plus a coffee shop and bar. Run by independent traders, you could spend hours here fishing for bargains. facebook.com/hopkinson21
Ice Nine Goose Gate, NG1 1FE
This shop will meet all of your hippie-style desires, with its cool clothes, vintage jewellery and treasure trove knick-knacks. There’s also a record store and an adult section in the basement. It would be difficult not to find something that suits you in this one. icenine.co.uk
Luvyababes
Victoria Centre, NG1 3QN
Need a fancy dress outfit for your next big night out? Don’t stress! You don’t need to spend hours trying to find something online to order. Instead, pop to Luvyababes on the top floor of Victoria Centre. You are bound to find something that fits your theme. luvyababes.co.uk
Page 45
9 Market Street, NG1 6HY
One of the UK’s most acclaimed comic book shops. Opened in 1994, the owner Stephen L Holland was the UK Comics Laureate from 2021 to 2023. Inside you will find a lovely highly curated collection of indie comics, with superheroes few and far between. page45.com
SHOPS
1AR
Professional Music Technology is the UK’s largest instrument superstore, so if you’re looking for anything musical or just want to take a browse among their crazy selection of guitars, PMT is the place for you to go. pmtonline.co.uk
Happily Nottingham has seen a resurgence over the last couple of years with three or four new record shops opening. However this old school place has actually been open since 1979, but it’s like an Aladdin's cave and worth seeking out for vinyl bargains. facebook.com/robsrecordsnottingham
Tokenhouse
4-6 St Peter’s Gate, NG1 2JG
A wonderful little haven of toys and gifts that has graced the streets of Nottingham now for over 50 years. If you are seeking inspiration for getting someone special a gift you can’t easily find elsewhere then look no further. thetokenhouse.co.uk
The V-Spot
515 Mansfield Road, NG5 2JL
A vegan supermarket on Sherwood High Street. They offer alternatives to dairy, cakes, sandwiches and fresh bread. They also have a solid range of environmentally friendly household products and non-leather shoes, belts and bags. v-spot.co.uk
White Rose
Various locations
Established as a social enterprise in 2009 by two graduates, you’re bound to end up in at least one White Rose while on a shopping trip here. They now have nine locations across the city selling sustainable clothing, jewellery and accessories. whiterosefashion.com
Broad Street, NG1 3AL
Boasting two floors full of unique, authentic vintage wear for everyone, this Hockley institution is the longest-running independent clothing store in Nottingham. It offers unique items dating back to the seventies that you won’t find anywhere else. facebook.com/wildclothingnotts
PMT
Huntingdon Street, NG1
Robs Records
3 Hurts Yard, NG1 6JD
Wild Clothing
FOOD
Feeling peckish? Us too. Here’s a dozen of our favourite places to grab a bit to eat in Notts...
Baresca Byard Lane, NG1 2GJ
Bringing Barcelona to Byard Lane, Baresca is all about those tapas, nibbly bits that will give you sunny holidays in Spain vibes. Baby chorizo, mackerel escabeche and crispy fried squid all feature, but there’s plenty for veggie or vegans too. barescatapas.co.uk
Iberico World Tapas High Pavement, NG1 1HN
Housed in one of Nottingham’s oldest Grade II listed buildings, the County Gaol, this restaurant is known for its Spanish-inspired tapas. The flavours, ambience and architecture offer an authentic taste. Check out their sister restaurant in Hockley for more laid back vibes. baribericotapas.com
Bistro 66 High Road, NG9 2LF
A hidden gem in Beeston that is super student-friendly. Featuring a traditional pizza oven transported all the way from Naples, it promises the most authentic pizzas in Nottingham - and saves you the trek into town to get one! bistro66.co.uk
Clean Cut Kitchen
Pelham Street, NG1 2EG
From fit fish and chips to super bowl salads, Clean Cut Kitchen is Nottingham's one stop shop for all things healthy and delicious. Its modern and quirky vibe makes for a snazzy environment when tucking into your granola. cleancutkitchen.co.uk
Doughnotts King Street, NG1 2AS
Doughnuts like you’ve never seen them before. Some of our faves include the Homer, red velvet, vegan cinnamon sugar, and the one where they make it into a proper millionaire's dream, with shortbread and all of that caramel. doughnottsofficial.com
The Frustrated Chef
Chillwell Road, NG9 1ES
An exciting restaurant serving up tapas-style dishes influenced by food all over the world. They have recently started offering takeaways too, so you can enjoy their delicious food from the comfort of your own home. thefrustratedchef.co.uk
FOOD
Gai Zaap
93-95 Upper Parliament Street, NG1 6LA
Newly opened city centre eatery that is aiming to re-define the takeaway chicken shop experience with a some seriously tasty legs and wings. Bold flavours at affordable prices. gaizaap.co.uk
L’Olivia High Road, NG9 2JP
Winner of the prize for the UK’s most authentic Italian eatery, L’Oliva is an intimate, family-run restaurant serving delicacies like pear and gorgonzola bruschetta and mouth watering antipasto (starters) which consist of a selection of olives, cured meats, cheeses and vegetables. loliva.co.uk
Long Row Social Long Row, NG1 6JB
You can’t beat a good pie, and since this place is owned and run by Pieminister, it serves the best ones you’ll find. Don’t be fooled into thinking this place is just for meat lovers though, as they have some pretty cracking vegetarian and gluten free options, too. longrowsocial.co.uk
Kushi-ya
Cannon Court, NG1 6JE
From skewers and snacks to rice and miso soup, each dish served here is presented as if designed purely for the ‘gram. There’s nothing too spicy or in your face, but they’re not afraid to be brave either, leading to rave reviews in national newspapers. kushi-ya.co.uk
Slice n Brew
Kings Walk, NG1 2AE
Formerly a pop up, Slice ‘n’ Brew now has a permanent home in the city centre. Their pizzas are a unique hybrid between Neapolitan and New York, with imaginative toppings you won’t find anywhere else in the city. So, ditch your Domino’s takeaway - we promise you this is miles better. slicenbrew.co.uk
Tough Mary’s Bakehouse
Derby Road, NG1 5FD
This place specialises in sourdough bread that’s smashing for lunchtime sarnies. Not only is the stuff much healthier for you than Tesco’s own batch of white, but it tastes a whole lot better, too. They also offer a whole host of sweet treats. toughmarysbakehouse.co.uk
WORLD FOOD
Looking for a taste of home? Nottingham has a wide range of international supermarkets and convenience stores offering ingredients from Asia, The Middle East, Africa and more….
Offering up foods from China, Korea, Vietnam, India, America and more. Choose from Asiana’s massive supermarket, a stone’s throw from Victoria Shopping Centre or their smaller more curated store in Hockley. asianahypermarket.com
Specialist Halal food store in Beeston offering a wide range of Asian and middle eastern foods including Halal meat and chicken, fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs. facebook.com/beestonhalalfoodstore
One of the UK’s leading Indian grocery retailers has their flagship store here, also offering Asian, Afro-Caribbean, Arabic, Chinese, Iranian, Turkish and Polish foods. Based in Sneinton, which is a local hotspot for international food stores. falcononline.co.uk
Located on the city centre end of Mansfield Road, ten doors up from the Golden Fleece pub. As you’d suspect from the name this place offers a wide range of Asian meats and fruit and veg. They also do some entertaining videos on Facebook. facebook.com/freshasianfoodmart
Makkah Food Store 43 Gregory Blvd, Hyson Green, NG7 6BE
International Halal supermarket offering a wide variety of products from around the globe. Located a couple of doors down from the New Art Exchange gallery, near the Forest Recreation Ground. tiktok.com/@makkahfoodstorebuctchery
Food Centre
Bath Street, NG1 1DF
Turkish-owned supermarket offering a wide range of world foods, including a Turkish bakery, lots of fruit and vegetables, a wide range of dairy, Halal meats and aisles and aisles and aisles of canned foods. Located opposite Sneinton Market. instagram.com/murat_food_centre_
Asiana 108 Woodborough Road, NG3 1AR
Beeston Halal Food Store 111a High Road, NG9 2LH
Falcon 135 Calrton Road, NG3 2FN
Fresh Asian Food Mart 125 Mansfield Road, NG1 3FQ
Murat
WORLD FOOD
Specialising in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Malaysian, Philippine, Taiwanese, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Singaporean cuisine. They have two outlets, one in the city centre and another in Beeston. orientalmart.co.uk
African, Caribbean and Asian foods ranging from fresh meat and vegetables, to canned and packaged goods, beverages, beauty products, toiletries, cleaning and more. Also based in Sneinton, near Murat and Falcon. osafuyitropical.com
Ozan International Food Centre 586-590 Mansfield Road
Grocery and supermarket, based in Sherwood selling products from over twenty countries. They have their own deli, bakery, fresh meat products, fresh desserts and olives section and much more. ozanfoodcentre.com
Pak foods offer a wide range of Asian and middle eastern foods across their two premises in Nottingham. One is in Sneinton and the other is in Forest Fields. facebook.com/pakfoodsuk
Thamars Foods 3 Carlton Road, NG3 2DG
African and Carribean food specialists who trade online and from this relatively small premises in Sneinton. Their aim is to make top quality African and Caribbean foods and drinks available in the city. thamarsfoods.com
Wilok’s International Food Stores 217-219 Radford Road, NG7
Well stocked African and Caribbean food and drink cash and carry. All the meat and vegetables you might expect, with a few more besides. Located in Hyson Green. facebook.com/Wiloks
Oriental Mart
1A Goldsmith Street, NG1 5ED
Osafuyi Tropical 18 Southwell Road, NG1 1DL
PAK Foods
152 Sneinton Dale, NG2 4HJ
PARKS
Did you know Nottingham has one of the highest number of green spaces in the UK? Here’s where to enjoy mother nature...
Attenborough Nature Reserve
Barton Lane, NG9 6DY
A slice of country life, just on the outskirts of Beeston. The on-site centre is a great place to learn about the local birds, and if you’re feeling especially green, you can visit one of the four tucked-away hides and spot some wildlife...
Arboretum
Waverley Street, NG7 4HF
Lovely green spot located right near the NTU city campus. If you’re looking for the ultimate getaway from the hustle and bustle, this is the spot. Some people believe Peter Pan originated here as author JM Barrie worked nearby before writing it.
Colwick Country Park
Mile End Road, NG4 2DW
The perfect place to go in the summer months, and it is very popular among students. It has 250 acres of woodland and grassland, and a massive lake in the centre of the park with hundreds of resident geese and ducks.
Forest Recreation Ground
Gregory Boulevard, NG7 6HB
This one is best known as the site of the city’s annual Goose Fair. But when it’s not being used for that purpose, Forest Rec is still worth a visit - it is also home to a cafe, multi-activity grounds, football pitches, and an outdoor gym.
Highfields Park
University Boulevard, NG7 2RD
You’re not a proper UoN student until you’ve been for a gander round Highfields Park - you don’t have the prettiest campus in the Midlands for nothing. Get yourself an ice-cream and have a walk or a boat ride, and don’t forget to snap a selfie with the infamous Chinese dragons.
Wollaton Park
Wollaton, NG8 2AE
Known as Batman’s gaff because The Dark Knight Rises used the big hall as the filming location for Wayne Manor, this is one of the best places to get your chill on. It’s a short bus ride from the city centre and features wild deer strolling around. The hall is worth a visit too.
As well as looking lovely, there are 71 references to people, places and things in Nottingham detailed on the cover. Here’s a guide to what they all are. If you’re still not sure, Google it…
1) Vicky McClure
2) Wollaton Hall
3) Detonate
4) Notts County FC
5) St Anns Allotments
6) Robin Hood
7) Shane Meadows
8) The left lion
9) Sneinton Market
10) Victoria Cross Heroes
11) Rock City
12) Castle Rock Brewery
13) The Cockleman
14) Sat Bains
15) Papplewick Pumping
Station
16) Nottingham Forest FC
17) Brian Clough statue
18) Boots The Chemist
19) Lady Bay Bridge
20) HP Sauce
21) Black Iris Brewery
22) Newstead Abbey
23) Sax player Mogs Morgan
24) Newton Building
25) Trent Bridge
26) Ayup me duck!
27) The Emmet Clock
28) Greens Windmill
29) Caves
30) The Sky Mirror
31) The Salvation Army
32) Goose Fair
33) Sleaford Mods
34) Sue Pollard
35) Nottingham Lace
36) Nottingham Castle
37) Nottingham Train Station
38) Sherwood Forest
39) Samantha Morton
40) The Great Cheese Riot
41) Gotham
42) Neon Raptor Brewery
43) Warhammer
44) Ghost Tours
45) Cappo
46) The Major Oak
47) Liquid Light Brewery
48) The Council House
49) Watson Fothergill
50) Xylophone Man
51) Raleigh Bikes
52) Ironmongery
53) National Ice Arena
54) Paul Smith
55) Nottingham Panthers
56) Lord Byron
57) Kid30
58) Nottingham Princess
59) Market Square
60) Mushy Peas
61) Mining
62) University of Nottingham
63) Sneinton Dragon
64) Trent Bridge Cricket
65) Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem
66) Ibuprofen
67) Nottingham Brick makers
68) Bramley Apples
69) Blue Monkey Brewery
70) Trams
71) Bread and Lard Island
Art and concept by Tom Shifter Wood. See more at tomshifterwood.com