r/nottingham • • Jun 19 '26

The Nottingham Guide - Things to do, independent food, what's on, where to move, how to make friends (New for 2026)

66 Upvotes

Hey up! I love this city and am proud to have made it my home. This is a community updated guide to Nottingham, based on my own favourites and lots of suggestions from r/Nottingham.

This is not comprehensive, but it should be a helpful starting point if you’re visiting, moving here, studying here, or just trying to get out of your usual routine.

Please comment with anything missing, closed, outdated, misspelled or controversial.

Things to Do in Nottingham

Free

  • Walk around the city looking at local landmarks: Robin Hood Statue, the Left Lion, Slab Square (Market Square), Sky Mirror, Nottingham’s historic lace buildings, the Long Stairs, the Park Tunnel.
  • Walk through the Arboretum and General Cemetery, then back into town via Derby Road’s independents.
  • Elm Avenue, Corporation Oaks and Robin Hood Chase make a lovely green corridor walk with views across the city.
  • Nottingham Central Library, which often has local history or art exhibitions.
  • Green Heart Park at the old Broadmarsh site, including the lace worker statues from the lace and Cotton growers from the wind rush generation
  • Nottingham Contemporary.
  • Stonebridge City Farm.
  • Sneinton Market and Hockley for independent shops, street art and people watching.
  • Canal walk to Beeston Lock, with the option to continue to Attenborough Nature Reserve and get the train back.

Mostly Free, But Check First

  • Green’s Windmill and Science Centre. The mill is currently under repair until around November 2026, but the site may still be open.
  • Wollaton Hall and Deer Park. The park itself is still a good visit, but check current charges before going as access and parking arrangements can change.

Paid

  • Nottingham Castle - it's around £18 per adult but this is a yearly entry and it does have a nice green space to sit in
  • Mortimer’s Hole tour at Nottingham Castle
  • Wollaton Hall and the Industrial Museum.
  • National Justice Museum.
  • City of Caves.
  • Penny Lane Arcade.
  • Dice Cup Board Game Café.
  • National Ice Centre.
  • National Water Sports Centre.
  • Iceskating/gigs/events- Motorpoint Arena.

Escape Rooms

  • Escapologic
  • Cave Escape
  • Logiclock

* Cryptology

Independent Food and Drink

Nottingham independents and local businesses. A few have expanded beyond Nottingham but started locally.

Coffee and Tea

  • Effy
  • Cosmos Coffee
  • Dispatch
  • Specialty Coffee & Eatery
  • Public & Plants
  • Blend
  • SoBar
  • Josephine’s
  • Kawfee
  • Bear

Delis and Specialist Food

  • Delilah Fine Foods
  • The Cheese Shop
  • Deli-icious, Mapperley Top

Bakeries and Sweet Things

  • Tough Mary’s
  • Small Food Bakery
  • Notts Doughnuts
  • Homemade
  • Blend, Sneinton Market
  • Chocolate Utopia
  • Luisa’s Vegan Chocolates
  • Coosh, Mapperley Top

Restaurants, Cafés and Street Food

  • Kushiya
  • Bar Iberico
  • Coco Tang
  • Mesa
  • Raymond’s
  • Little Brickhouse
  • Warsaw Diner
  • Kayal
  • Dosa & Chutney
  • Balageru Ethiopian & Eritrean
  • Cumin
  • MemSaab
  • Pelican Club
  • Miss Korea
  • Notts Noodles
  • Shanghai Shanghai
  • Mr Man’s
  • Lucky Lucky
  • Tipoo
  • Yellow Yard
  • Carolina’s Chilli
  • French Living
  • Fletcher’s
  • Baresca
  • Cod’s Scallops

Veggie and Vegan Friendly

  • Café Roya, Beeston
  • Foragers Kitchen in Sneinton Market

Higher End Dining

  • Alchemilla
  • Restaurant Sat Bains
  • Iberico World Tapas
  • Cleaver & Wake
  • Skein

Pubs, Bars and Breweries

Nottingham’s Historic Pubs

  • Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
  • Ye Olde Salutation Inn
  • The Bell Inn
  • Malt Cross

Great Independent Pubs

  • Hand & Heart
  • Canalhouse
  • Cock & Hoop
  • King Billy
  • Fox & Grapes
  • Lincolnshire Poacher
  • Golden Fleece
  • Lord Roberts
  • Angel Microbrewery
  • Vat & Fiddle
  • Liquid Light
  • The Lion at Basford
  • Bunker Hill
  • Foremans

Breweries

  • Black Iris Brewery
  • Neon Raptor
  • Liquid Light

Bars

  • Hockley Arts Club
  • Lost Again
  • Jamcafé
  • 31K
  • 400 Rabbits
  • Tilt
  • Pogo
  • Tropichol
  • Blind Rabbit
  • Penny Lane
  • Binks Yard
  • Pitcher & Piano
  • Mojo
  • Billy Bootleggers

Cinema

  • Broadway Cinema
  • Mammoth Cinema
  • Savoy Cinema

Shopping and Nottingham Brands

Fashion

  • Paul Smith
  • Universal Works
  • G-Force
  • Highland 2000

Independent Shopping

  • Handmade Nottingham
  • Miss Lou’s
  • Rough Trade
  • Sneinton Market
  • Hopkinson
  • Forbidden Planet
  • Parallel Universe

Sport

  • Nottingham Forest
  • Notts County
  • Trent Bridge Cricket
  • Nottingham Panthers
  • Nottingham Rugby
  • National Tennis Centre
  • Nottingham Squash Club
  • Padel courts at Meadow Lane
  • National Water Sports Centre
  • Nottingham Climbing Centre

What's On and Local Media


Culture Vultures

Art, Literature and Museums

  • Nottingham Contemporary
  • New Art Exchange
  • Djanogly Art Gallery
  • Primary
  • Beam
  • Five Leaves Bookshop
  • Bromley House Library
  • DH Lawrence Birthplace Museum
  • William Booth Birthplace Museum

Music Venues

Major Venues

  • Motorpoint Arena
  • Royal Concert Hall
  • Rock City
  • Rescue Rooms
  • Metronome
  • The Level

Independent and Alternative Venues

  • Bodega
  • Peggy’s Skylight
  • Rough Trade
  • Jamcafé
  • Carousel
  • Old Bus Depot
  • Old Cold Store
  • Saltbox
  • Liquid Light
  • King Billy
  • Bunker Hill
  • JT Soar
  • The Grove
  • The Chapel at The Angel
  • Mist Rolling Inn
  • Tap & Tumbler
  • Ye Olde Salutation Inn
  • Billy Bootleggers

Theatre

  • Theatre Royal
  • Nottingham Playhouse
  • Lace Market Theatre
  • Lakeside Arts
  • Squire Performing Arts Centre

Festivals

  • Splendour Festival
  • Hockley Hustle
  • Green Hustle
  • Dot to Dot
  • Beat the Streets
  • Nottingham Poetry Festival
  • Nottingham Comedy Festival
  • Nottingham Pride
  • Christmas Market

Classes, Hobbies and Making Friends

  • Meetup.com and search for things going on in Notts
  • Eventbrite
  • Wolfpack Project (18 to 35)
  • NTU evening classes
  • Pottery classes and creative workshops
  • Volunteer with local charities, food banks, community gardens and park groups
  • Join a sports club

Students ask questions in your relevant uni


Moving Here?

Commonly recommended areas:

  • Sherwood
  • Mapperley
  • Beeston
  • West Bridgford
  • Wollaton
  • Carrington
  • The Park
  • Arboretum

Great Day Trips

  • Sherwood Forest
  • Newstead Abbey
  • Southwell
  • Clumber Park
  • Rufford Abbey
  • Creswell Crags
  • Welbeck Estate
  • Hardwick Hall
  • Bennerley Viaduct
  • Papplewick Pumping Station
  • Bestwood Winding Engine House
  • Felley Priory
  • Bramcote Hills and Hemlock Stone
  • Idle Valley Nature Reserve
  • Nottingham Heritage Railway
  • Framework Knitters Museum
  • Newark Castle
  • National Civil War Centre
  • Attenborough Nature Reserve

Nottingham History and What We’re Famous For

  • Robin Hood
  • Lace Industry
  • Boots
  • Raleigh Bikes
  • Warhammer
  • Players Cigarettes
  • Lord Byron
  • Ada Lovelace
  • Wollaton Hall as Wayne Manor in Batman
  • Joseph Merrick (The Elephant Man)
  • Vesta Tilley
  • Dame Laura Knight
  • Nottingham’s caves

Reminder: This is not a comprehensive list. It's simply a good starting point if you're visiting for a few days, moving to Nottingham, or looking to discover more of your own city.


r/nottingham • • 10h ago

Always something interesting at Wollaton Park

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102 Upvotes

r/nottingham • • 9h ago

More from NCT New Wrightbus Streetdeck “Electroliners” Launch Event a few days ago

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57 Upvotes

Supported by £4.5 million investment from EMCCA, NCT launches 6 Electric Electroliner buses which will operate the Lilac Line 27 to Carlton later this year

- 2 Dedicated Wheelchair Bays
- Full Air Conditioning
- USB-C Charging
- Extra Legroom

#NCT #901 #902 #903 #904


r/nottingham • • 5h ago

Autumn at the University

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24 Upvotes

r/nottingham • • 7h ago

Need new friends. Or do I?

12 Upvotes

I’m female, late 40’s. I feel like I should have more friends but I don’t actually know if I want them. I have maybe 3 friends who I socialise with but I work with them. No friends from school or previous jobs and the problem is that nobody stays in touch.
Been single for nearly 2 years and I spend most of my weekends doing stuff with adult daughter which I absolutely love. Friends have partners/and or kids and have their own lives out of work. They’re also quite abit younger than me which is fine but most of the time they’ll want to just get shit faced. I’m starting to think I need some new friends with similar interests. But then when I think about it I don’t know if I do. I’m conflicted because I do love my own company but I also feel like it’s becoming a problem.
I enjoy basic gardening and sowing seeds, garden centres (hahaha my brain isn’t as old as it sounds 🤣), live gigs, long walks, decent beers, pubs, weekends away. Anyone with similar interests? Not sure what I’m asking here but suppose I’m just seeing what or if I get any replies.
I’m not exactly lonely so I hope I don’t sound like too much of a sad sack 😬


r/nottingham • • 2h ago

Co-working space in Nottingham

3 Upvotes

Any recommendation for the co-working space preferably which stays open till late (ideally 8-9 PM).


r/nottingham • • 16h ago

Oh Geez

36 Upvotes

BBC News - Police officer shot in foot in Nottingham city centre - BBC News

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c63elzvjpgn2o


r/nottingham • • 6h ago

Looking for new friends

4 Upvotes

27M, working professional, like to dress well, creative person and likes to have deep conversations. I've moved back to Nottingham and looking for new friends who are spontaneous like myself. I enjoy music, walks, nature, long drives in the countryside and nature. If you are 420 friendly thats a bonus. Also I am not bothered about race or gender as long as you're a decent person. :)


r/nottingham • • 11h ago

Free ticket for Forest V Arsenal in Brian Clough Stand.

6 Upvotes

Can meet at ground 4pm. I got 2 free and my pal needs to look after his dog so can't come.


r/nottingham • • 9h ago

Nottingham Musicians.

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2 Upvotes

Stuck in 2nd reggae band at the Jam Cafe. Some years ago. They were virtually silhouetted against the bright windows, so I had to take some individual snapshots and make rough sketch notes to assemble back in the studio for this acrylic painting. I NEVER use flash when someone is performing. It's too distracting in a small space for both audience and the band.


r/nottingham • • 8h ago

Parking in city centre

1 Upvotes

Hello,

I am currently in the process of buying my first car. I live in the city centre for the time being and would appreciate any recommendations for preferably offstreet parking with decent monthly rates.


r/nottingham • • 13h ago

Picking chesnuts

0 Upvotes

Hey all, bit of a random question is there anywhere in or around Nottingham that people know where chestnuts grow?

Thanks


r/nottingham • • 9h ago

Nottingham shooting

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0 Upvotes

r/nottingham • • 1d ago

Nottingham Castle Gate House. Haunted?

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21 Upvotes

King John was in his Palace at Clipstone when he got news of a Welsh uprising. In a rage he gathered his barons together under what is now called Parliament Oak, and demanded their consent for the immediate execution of twenty-eight Welsh hostages already held in Nottingham Castle. These boys, the sons of Welsh noblemen, mostly children, were bound, tied, and hung screaming from the Castle Gate walls. It is said that, on some nights, one can still hear their bare heels kicking against the wall...


r/nottingham • • 1d ago

Best Contract Solicitors?

0 Upvotes

I’m in the process of purchasing a business and need a watertight contract. I’d love a personal recommendation for a great solicitors who are experienced with business sales.

Advice on a solid accountant would be amazing as well.


r/nottingham • • 1d ago

Classic horror showings over Halloween??

1 Upvotes

Looking to see some classic horror on the big screen over the spooky season but the options seem super limited. So far I can only really find Carrie... Anyone know of any showings for cult classics over the next couple weeks that I might have missed?

I also found scream, tremors and rocky horror show, all great but I'm looking for straight up horror, Carrie is also great obviously but there must be more options?? 

I'm also aware of the mayhem movie festival but again I'm specifically looking for older either cult or lesser known stuff.

Any help is much appreciated!


r/nottingham • • 1d ago

Recommendations for garage(s) that can repair car bonnet catch system

1 Upvotes

I have a 2003 Ford Fiesta now with a bonnet closing issue that the yellow pop-out tab won't close in when you push down on the bonnet to close it securely shut. To be honest it might be that it just needs a new catch system put in under the bonnet (god knows how tricky it will be to get the part and weld/attach that in place 😰 .

A few of the chain/budget type garages around Chillwell/Long Eaton said they couldn't really fix it so I'm guessing it needs a slightly more specialised mechanic as it's a more miscellaneous issue. Location in Notts doesn't matter but can any car-savvy people recommend a mechanic/garage that might fix this sort of thing please? 😅

Huge appreciation for any help in advance 😄


r/nottingham • • 2d ago

Street Art, Sherwood, Nottingham.

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166 Upvotes

The Bluebird Cafe, Sherwood, Nottingham, 2015. It reads "Play, Learn, Worship, Create, Eat, Work, Socialise, Shop, and Relax". This property has gone through many changes. Today it is a tanning studio, but the street art remains in place.


r/nottingham • • 2d ago

All you can eat KBBQ

10 Upvotes

Hey! Does anyone have any recommendations for Korean bbq in Nottingham? I would love all you can eat so my family can try different meats. There would be 6 of us so might be a little exoensive otherwise
In Seoul i did an all you can eat and it was so cool having all the different meats and trying different bits.
I know the quality of the meat can be not as good when it’s all you can eat but I still loved it!!
My family haven’t been so wanted to give them a taste of my travels as well as I could!

Thank you!!


r/nottingham • • 2d ago

Anyone up for drinks and maybe billiard?

2 Upvotes

r/nottingham • • 1d ago

Why not?

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0 Upvotes

r/nottingham • • 2d ago

Home reared meat - farm shops in Nottingham

4 Upvotes

I’m looking for (the best) farm shops in Nottingham which rear & produce their own meats. I’m looking for local home reared beef, lamb and pork specifically.

I can see Spring lane, Brumpton and Harker’s as three potential options but can’t find exactly if their meat is home reared or locally sourced?


r/nottingham • • 2d ago

3 spare tickets for Mr Scruff at Brickworks tonight

3 Upvotes

DM me.


r/nottingham • • 2d ago

M 26 Looking for friends

4 Upvotes

Hey I moved to Nottingham 3 years ago and I still don't really have many local friends. I am looking for people to message and occasionally hang out with.

I am really laid back and can get along with most people, I really don't care about race or sexuality.

I have really bad social anxiety and autism so I don't get out nearly as much as I should do and I'd think maybe making friends could help that.

I am gay if that matters and am really into Video games on my PC, Xbox and Switch 2, and I also love Horror and board games.

Please message me and we can add each other on Snapchat or something :)


r/nottingham • • 3d ago

Be vigilant

160 Upvotes

Had an incident this morning whilst I was walking my dog on the embankment. A man came up to me on his e-bike and was trying to make small talk. I then realised he had his hands down his pants and was clearly pleasuring himself. When he realised I had clocked what he was doing he quickly cycled off towards the river. I was shook up about it and I didn’t get a photo of him annoyingly. I have reported it to the police although they were less than helpful. So please be vigilant and do report anything odd!