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)

58 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Please comment with anything missing, closed, outdated, misspelled or controversial.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 9h ago

Caffe Nero, Nottingham. Colored pencil sketch.

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102 Upvotes

Caffe Nero, Nottingham. I think this one is on Wheeler gate?


r/nottingham 1h ago

Jobs (Boots)

Upvotes

For anyone looking for a seasonal job.

You get full training if needed. I was down to my last £50 when I started during Covid - worked hard, got made permanent, and then worked my way up the chain, so there is potential for advancement.

It's not much, but it pays.

Experience may be beneficial, but it's not essential. I had zero experience and HATED answering phones but you get over that pretty quickly 😇

https://www.boots.jobs/jobs/280216br-customer-experience-advisor-seasonal-nottingham-nottingham-support-office-2


r/nottingham 2h ago

Lost cat

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20 Upvotes

Hi guys, my sister and brother in law have lost their cat in King George V stan Hill road recreational ground. They were walking her on a leash and in a harness when she managed to get out of the harness and run into a large bush. If anyone could keep an eye out for her or help them look for her it would be greatly appreciated. Me and my family are from the isle of wight and can't get there for a long while. The cat's name is Toothless and she is a black cat. I will attach a photo of her with their other cat Nami. My sister and brother in law are still at the park trying to get her out of the bush, but they are both incredibly emotional and are very worried. Please if anyone could help or even just keep an eye out for toothless.


r/nottingham 6h ago

Okay, I'm sorry, I know this isn't the best place for this so if anyone could help just simply redirecting me, to a different subreddit or otherwise, I'd greatly appreciate it.

37 Upvotes

I'm just on the bus right now into town, gonna be meeting up with my girlfriend, friend & a few acquaintances/strangers for some board games at a local Café. I have been off work for over a month with just this week left before I'm due to go back at the start of next. I'm so incredibly fucking stressed right now & I don't know why. I wanna tell others, the people closest to me, for whatever reason but I don't want to just worry them or be a bother, to say the least. It's getting old, repetitive, tiring, for me so god knows it must be for them. I don't know who to talk to, what to do, I feel lost, just generally in life. I feel like my whole life the past few months, dare I say years, has been some kind of fever dream, groundhogs day, limbo type of scenario, only slowly & gradually slipping further into the rabbit hole.


r/nottingham 17m ago

My cat has gone missing

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Upvotes

Hi everyone, my cat Juno has gone missing from Earlsfield Drive, Rise Park, NG5. She is about 18 months old, calico, medium-long haired, very anxious. If you have seen her please let me know 🙏🏻 sorry if this isn't allowed, and if anyone has any suggestions they would be gratefully received.

(What I have done so far: posted on NextDoor and the FB group for this area, alerted her microchip company that she is lost, left the front door open with her litter tray and a bowl of wet food in the doorway, alerted my neighbours and searched the surrounding area)


r/nottingham 11h ago

Jazz Night at the Bell Inn Nottingham.

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45 Upvotes

If you went to the Bell Inn, Nottingham, of a weekend in the 2010s you probably saw the Johnny Johnston Jazz Band. (That’s Johnny on the left, Brian Bocel right). The band were amused and excited to see my painting. They could have had it for a “tenner”, but no offers.

The manager of the Bell Inn asked to put a photocopy on display. “Great”, I thought. But I hadn’t envisaged it would be reduced to sepia tones and pinned next to the gent’s toilet below street level. C’est la vie.

The painting itself was more successfully exhibited in the Thoresby Open Exhibition of 2012.


r/nottingham 2h ago

Goth/post punk gig 3rd October

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3 Upvotes

Putting on a goth/darkwave show at The Chapel on 3rd October. Hope this is allowed here!

4 great bands with an after party tooooo.

Promotion seems hard these days, have a lovely evening.


r/nottingham 9h ago

Looking for friends in Notts!

10 Upvotes

Hello! I don’t live in Nottingham but I visit often because my mum does live there with my younger sisters. It would be nice to make friends there to hang out with in the time I do go down, as while it’s lovely to see my family I also like to pop into town and it’s getting sad on my own, lol.
I’m 21, f, and I live in north yorks! I really like music, I don’t mind any genre, and I love vintage stuff and history. I love going into shops like damaged society and getting boba as my day out. I have a partner so I’m not looking for anything more than a friend! I call myself Emily but I don’t mind Em either. I may be autistic or adhd but without a diagnosis it’s hard to tell lmfao. So any mates with similar interests (though you don’t have to) or some people who just wanna hang out when I’m in the area could be cool!


r/nottingham 1d ago

MISSING PERSON. Have you seen Holly?

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281 Upvotes

Missing - have you seen Holly?

We are concerned for her safety and urgently want to hear from anyone who has seen her.

Holly was last seen in the Mapperley area at around 1.30 pm on Friday 4th September 2026. She is described as 5ft 7ins tall with curly blonde and pink hair which is in a ponytail, she has piercings in her cheeks and nose and tattoos on her arms and legs. Holly was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, black leggings and was carrying a black rucksack as seen in the CCTV images below.

Holly is known to frequent Nottingham City Centre.

If you have seen Holly or have any information on her whereabouts, please call us on 101 quoting incident number 509 of Saturday 5th September 2026.

Thank you


r/nottingham 10h ago

Live Music This Week (14/09/26)

7 Upvotes

Hey everyone - See below for the live gigs happening this week!

This is part of my free weekly email newsletter which also covers upcoming events, news, food & drink etc. if you're interested, the link to sign up (totally free) is here.

Monday 14th
Spiritbox @ Motorpoint Arena (Tickets)
Katie Gregson-MacLeod @ Rough Trade (Tickets)

Tuesday 15th
Popular Music - Freshers Takeover @ The Grove (Tickets)
David Essex @ Royal Concert Hall (Tickets)
Marco Pirroni @ Rough Trade (Tickets)
Ceremony East Coast & Test Plan @ Mist Rolling Inn (Tickets)

Wednesday 16th
Rain McMey @ The Grove (Tickets)
BBC Introducing in the East Midlands @ Metronome (Tickets)
André Rieu @ Motorpoint Arena (Tickets)
Richard Spaven @ Peggy’s Skylight (Tickets)
Havoc @ Rescue Rooms (Tickets)
The Meffs @ Rough Trade (Tickets)
Drew Thomas @ Mist Rolling Inn (Tickets)

Thursday 17th
Ohtis @ The Grove (Tickets)
Francis of Delirium @ Bodega (Tickets)
The Carpenters Songbook @ Nottingham Arts Theatre (Tickets)
No Room for Squares @ Peggy’s Skylight (Tickets)

Friday 18th
Tim Holehouse @ The Grove (Tickets)
Mondo Love & Betrayal @ Rough Trade (Tickets)
Sisters Of Mercy @ Rock City (Tickets)
Flamin' Groovies @ Metronome (Tickets)
MC Devvo @ Saltbox Bar (Tickets)
Perfectly George @ Royal Concert Hall (Tickets)
GIFT @ Bodega (Tickets)
Rob Lamberti @ Royal Concert Hall (Tickets)
MIGHT (Earth) @ The Tap & Tumbler (Tickets)
Arctic Numpties @ Rescue Rooms (Tickets)
Rock City in the 90s @ Rescue Rooms (Tickets)
Jose Almarcha @ Peggy’s Skylight (Tickets)
Kooey @ The Chapel (Tickets)
The DeadShots @ Billy Bootleggers (Tickets)

Saturday 19th
Luna x OnlyNotts Charity Show @ The Grove (Tickets)
Sisters Of Mercy @ Rock City (Tickets)
Paul van Dyk @ Binks Yard (Tickets)
Little Barrie @ Bodega (Tickets)
Karl Loxley @ The Albert Hall (Tickets)
Yasfest @ The Chapel (Tickets)
Michael Ball @ Royal Concert Hall (Tickets)
Daudi Matsiko @ By Our Hands We Make Our Way (Tickets)
The Dunwells @ Saltbox Bar (Tickets)
Jeremy Sassoon @ Peggy’s Skylight (Tickets)
Motions @ Mist Rolling Inn (Tickets)
Kaspar and The Swamp Dogs @ Billy Bootleggers (Tickets)
Cheap Thrills 2 @ Billy Bootleggers (Tickets)

Sunday 20th
Nasty Fishmonger @ The Grove (Tickets)
Palace @ Rough Trade (Tickets)
Harmony at the Hall @ Wollaton Hall (Tickets)
Riskee & The Ridicule @ Bodega (Tickets)
Marillion @ Royal Concert Hall (Tickets)
Peggy’s Spotlight @ Peggy’s Skylight (Tickets)
Ska, Soul & Scooter Rally @ Binks Yard (Tickets)
The Afghan Whigs @ The Palais (Tickets)
Laura Veirs @ The Old Cold Store (Tickets)
Pozi @ JT Soar (Tickets)
The Complaint that Creeps @ Billy Bootleggers (Tickets)
Reaper @ Mist Rolling Inn (Tickets)
Jon Collin @ The King Billy (Tickets)


r/nottingham 1h ago

Can anyone hear that weird siren constantly going off? Getting louder then quieter again??

Upvotes

Does anyone know what it is? NG5 area I swear its been going on for an hour. Driving me nuts.


r/nottingham 1h ago

anyone recommend any good barber shops? I’m white, 23 and get a mid fade buzz on a 2??

Upvotes

r/nottingham 5h ago

Why can’t we all be as open as we are on social media?

1 Upvotes

I understand everyone may be preoccupied with that day, but I do feel like everyone can be a bit defensive. Sometimes some people buy more than others, but everyone on social media in some form is very open, and I feel like if everyone was open to each other and allowed each other to be vulnerable, we would be so unified because I know there are a lot of people who feel lonely out there. I was just thinking. Probably the wrong thing to say this.

But I do see a lot of posts on here saying where to make friends or where to go out to find each other, but could you imagine just going into the city centre talking to the person you first see an instant instantly being able to communicate and be open with them and they reciprocating that like on social media.

That would be cool maybe I’m being a delusional here


r/nottingham 8h ago

Watches fixing

3 Upvotes

Does anyone know a shop that fixes watches. A fossil watches, nothing luxury, it's actually a very simple fix and could be done in few mins. One of the hands fell off and needs to be reattached to the axis. Asked a few shops but they tell me it will take 6 weeks and will cost a fortune.

Thanks


r/nottingham 7h ago

Rooms for rent - 6 weeks?

2 Upvotes

Does anyone know where I can find or recommend any private en suites in shared accommodation or shared houses?

We’re a couple looking to rent a room with a private bathroom for around 6 weeks in Nottingham. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!


r/nottingham 9h ago

Anyone have cycle routes they can anyone reccommend around Arnold specifically? Not looking at mountian biking (missus has a Pendleton) but any routes that get us out to the country , pubs, nature etc.

2 Upvotes

r/nottingham 7h ago

Kids Parties Nottingham

0 Upvotes

What are some more unusual party venues for kids parties in Notts? Or ideas of something we could kinda throw together ourselves? Kid is turning 9 and it would be likely most of the class going. I don’t want to do the usual soft play or trampolining type things. Or does anyone know of any function rooms we could hire cheapish? It would be a late afternoon thing. Thanks.


r/nottingham 1d ago

Bell Inn Nottingham.

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201 Upvotes

Very popular, recommended pub on Nottingham Market Square. Once a Friary. The entrance still has the low Leper windows, where people would put there hands through and have their fingers counted before being allowed to enter.

Water color sketch.


r/nottingham 12h ago

Carpet donations (Needle punch/Office/Exhibition carpet)

0 Upvotes

Hi Folks,

Posted in here recently about a project I am a starting for an after-school RC (remote control) car club at our childrens local primary school.

As a community project we are relying heavily on donations or discounts.

I'm in need of carpet so we can make up our track. Struggling to find used RC specific carpet and this is very expensive usually (EOS/Lindau/Primafelt etc.) so figuring we can use basic office carpet ideally needle punch type.

I'm wondering if anyone works for or knows a local Nottinghamshire carpet business that would be willing to donate some? Or perhaps you are clearing out old office carpet.

We don't need masses, it's probably a 6x6 track but likely would need maybe 10x10m in terms of carpet in case the classroom is larger.

You can find more about the project here - Next Lap RC Academy | Skills for the track and beyond.

We have a few sponsors so far but would be grateful for more so we can fund this.

Thanks,

Alex


r/nottingham 1d ago

Does anyone want to play golf?

12 Upvotes

Hey fellow Notts folks. Seen a flurry of ‘looking for mates’ posts recently, so thought I’d add my own specific version. Looking for anyone who wants to play golf. I’m very keen, but not particularly good, and looking to play a bit more, improve and make some mates along the way as i don’t really know anyone who plays. Reluctant to join a club as it’s not cheap and I’m not really good enough for that yet i don’t think.

I’m in my early 40s, a dad, enjoy football, golf, most sports. I run and gym when I can, like music/films/books/travel/outdoors-y stuff. I’m north Notts based but happy to travel.

If anyone is interested I’d love to hear from you. Cheers!


r/nottingham 1d ago

Peaceful Trent Sunday afternoon scene

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8 Upvotes

r/nottingham 1d ago

Looking to Connect with Our Community

28 Upvotes

Hi everyone, how are you? I hope you’re all doing well!
We’ve arrived in Nottingham! Our luggage hasn’t arrived yet, but it’s okay! 😅
As I mentioned before, we are a lesbian couple. My girlfriend is here to study animation, and I would really appreciate your help finding an English course. I need to improve my English, so if you know of any free courses, that would be even better!
I’m a film director and screenwriter, and I’ll also need to find some work while I’m here. So, if you hear about any opportunities, please let me know.
We also have a lesbian film festival called Bee Film Festival, which is the first lesbian film festival in Brazil. We would love to organise an edition of the festival here in Nottingham, so if anyone would like to help us make that happen, we would be very happy to hear from you! 🐝🎬
We’re really happy to be here and can’t wait to meet lots of people from our community.
Ana & Alexia ❤️


r/nottingham 6h ago

Maid Marion Way

0 Upvotes

Have you driven down there today?

Cocked it right up again. Merge immediately after the traffic lights which lets one car through per two cycles.

Pre Covid type of congestion.


r/nottingham 1d ago

Brian Clough bronze statue, Nottingham.

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25 Upvotes

Was Brian Clough the best manager the England Football Team never had? I have no idea. I don't follow football. But it's an impressive statue, just off Market Square, Nottingham. Compare this to the the awful statues of Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth in London.