The National Justice Museum, City of Caves, Robin Hood walking tours and England’s oldest pub are among the reasons to consider Nottingham for a city break.
The National Justice Museum – tales of crime and punishment
The National Justice Museum is inside an old courthouse and prison complex. Actors stage mock trials in the courtroom, grim cells can be seen on the lower levels and the free tours draw attention to quirky detail.
The strength is in the more traditional museum-ish exhibitions, exploring the world of crime and punishment, however. The section on convict transportation to Australia is a highlight.
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem – England’s oldest pub?
Supposedly the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem has records dating back to 1189 and it is tremendously atmospheric. It’s a maze of nooks, crannies and tiny alcoves, built into the sandstone of Castle Rock. And, what’s more, there’s a strong selection of real ales on tap.
It’s the sort of place where you come for one pint and end up staying all evening.
Robin Hood walking tours
Nottingham couldn’t escape the Robin Hood story if it tried, and Ezekial Bone’s walking tours around the city centre delves into the myth with impeccably-researched detail, visiting sites mentioned in the traditional stories that have morphed and evolved over the centuries. The guide may be dressed as Robin Hood, but leads guests to some surprising conclusions about who the real Robin was. The tour also heads underground into secret tunnels beneath a pub.
The City of Caves – underground history
There’s more underground weirdness in the City of Caves. Step inside, and you enter Nottingham’s extraordinary subterranean network of man-made caves, which as the tour guides explain, have previously been used as leather tanneries, pubs and air raid shelters.
Josephine’s – a café not afraid to stand out
There’s a touch of the 20s about Josephine’s (josephinesnottingham.co.uk), with Tiffany glass lamps, jazz tinkling away in the background and climbing plants on the walls. It’s a tea room, but does a fine eggs benedict for breakfast. The Nottingham cobble-cake – somewhere between a rock cake and a scone, but with chopped cherries and icing – serves as the local delicacy.
The Lace Market hotel – a stay with character
The Lace Market Hotel has rooms with high ceilings and rainbow-draped curtains in what becomes a mixture of grandeur and modernity. The creaky old wood-panelled lift, the complimentary popcorn machine in reception and silvery shimmer in the furnishing help make it great fun.
Hockley – Nottingham’s most interesting neighbourhood
Just north off the Lace Market area, Hockley has become the most interesting part of Nottingham to venture out into, with a host of distinctive bars and restaurants crowding around the lanes.
Amongst these is the Hockley Arts Club, which is over three floors of billowing plants and Alice In Wonderland-ish décor. Expect innovation on the menu, too.
Wollaton Park – meet the deer
Wollaton Park, west of the city centre, is home to plenty of dogs being walked, but the true animal stars are the deer wandering around the more wooded areas. In the centre is Wollaton Hall, a grand Elizabethan building which doubled up as Wayne Manor in Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies. There’s a slightly fusty natural history museum inside.
The Pitcher and Piano – drinking in a church
The Pitcher and Piano may do some decent food and fairly good cocktails, but it’s the setting that’s the star. This city centre bar occupies a former Unitarian church, although nowadays people pay more attention to the wine glasses than the stained glass windows.
More East Midlands travel
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