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)

57 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Please comment with anything missing, closed, outdated, misspelled or controversial.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 6h ago

The one day I get the bus! 🙃

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247 Upvotes

Was upstairs, back left of the bus when it went up in flames. Pretty crazy scenes.


r/nottingham 13h ago

Nottingham City Council underspend to help with cost of living

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17 Upvotes

r/nottingham 2h ago

Night out Wednesday

2 Upvotes

Where are the places to go on a Wednesday night in town these days? Especially given students aren’t back yet


r/nottingham 6h ago

Early morning space?

3 Upvotes

I'm a student starting classes on Monday and my bus gets in at 8am, which gives me an hour before I have to be in the building (no point getting there early really), so I've been looking for places open around that time where I can study for a bit. Has to be near the city centre- so far my plan is to just wait around in the Vic centre but I feel like I'd get kicked out if I sit on a bench for too long


r/nottingham 2h ago

House search

0 Upvotes

Hey, I’m looking to move into either a 1 bed or a studio apartment is there anyone looking to rent outside the housing companies


r/nottingham 7h ago

Careers with MAG - East Midlands

2 Upvotes

I appreciate the random post here, but might anybody on this subreddit either work at, or know someone, who works in IT in any capacity at East Midlands airport? I am looking for a career change and I’m always looking for vacancies at EMA through the MAG careers website but have never once seen an IT vacancy posted.


r/nottingham 4h ago

Getting to Know Nottingham Through Photography 📸

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’ve recently moved to Nottingham and I’m trying to get to know the city and meet new people.

I have a professional camera and enjoy photography, so I thought I’d offer something useful while I’m exploring. If you have a small business, product, café, event, workshop, community group, or anything interesting, I’d be happy to come along and take some nice photos for you.

Completely free — no charge and no strings attached. I’m simply doing it for fun, to meet people and get more involved around Nottingham.

If it sounds useful, feel free to message me. 📷


r/nottingham 5h ago

Driving test swap

0 Upvotes

Bit of a long shot but looking to swap my driving test for October instead of September in Colwick or Chilwell if someone wants theirs sooner!! Can no longer do September 17th.


r/nottingham 7h ago

Baby classes

1 Upvotes

New FTM here- does anyone have any recommendations for any baby classes in the area for new borns- happy to drive so not too limited by area, interested in anything that can keep us busy and our and about


r/nottingham 8h ago

Two GCR milestones! 20k Youtube Subscribers and a Reunification announcement.

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0 Upvotes

r/nottingham 9h ago

Anyone from Nottingham going to Don Toliver in London in November? 👀

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone! Just wondering if anyone from Nottingham is heading to any of the Don Toliver shows in London this November?
I’m interested in going but don’t really have anyone to go with. If anyone from Nottingham is going and wouldn’t mind someone tagging along, let me know! Would be nice to meet some new people and enjoy the show together 🙌
Feel free to DM me!


r/nottingham 1d ago

38M new to Nottingham looking for groups.

16 Upvotes

I have recently just moved to Nottingham, I’m outside the city near Bingham. I do not know anyone here other than my partner and our child. That is putting a massive strain on our relationship as she is the only social life I have as of now.
I am wondering if there is any groups or activities that people could recommend for me not to far from where I am.
I like video games, sports (more watching now than playing, due to older age and arthritis) and I’m open to a lot of other things, should note I’m a raging ADHD person and can never shut up once you get to know me.
Thanks in advance for any guidance or help.


r/nottingham 12h ago

Anyone know of a good engine rebuilders in Notts

0 Upvotes

Our little Fiat 500 blew its head gasket and now needs the cylinder head planing. I've contacted a bunch of rebuilders but no one is replying, I assume because they want to deal with garages and not shade tree mechanics (same reason I couldn't find anyone to clone our body computer module). Does anyone know of a place vaguely near to the centre that will do this?


r/nottingham 1d ago

Recommend me a painter?

15 Upvotes

Looking for a painter that is in between my current experience of ‘the walls must be the finest silk render finish, that’ll be £2,000 please’ or ‘£150 a room as long as I can drink special brew on the job’.

I just want someone that knows what they’re doing and works to an hourly or daily rate. When I can’t be arsed to paint I ring them up, they bring their brushes and put in a shift.

Any recs?


r/nottingham 2d ago

Whoever is responsible, you're a monster!!!

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267 Upvotes

I'd have that for £200 easy! And you treat it like this!? I am furious!!


r/nottingham 1d ago

Screening Sept 4th - Been Here Stay Here!

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12 Upvotes

Set on a remote island in the Chesapeake Bay, Been Here Stay Here is a documentary that follows a deeply rooted Christian fishing community as they navigate a landscape shifting beneath their feet. Their centuries-old way of life—anchored in faith, family, and the rhythms of the bay—stands at a crossroads. The film follows the community’s struggle to hold on to their home, raising questions about belonging, belief, and what it means to stay when the ground beneath you disappears.

Come join us for the screening of Been Here Stay Here on September 4th at Mammoth - A Climate Action Cinema!


r/nottingham 1d ago

Short term rentals, ideally dog-friendly.

1 Upvotes

So my partner is looking to visit from the US in October, which she has done before, but she's looking to stay longer this time (a couple of months) and unfortunately can't live with me for all of that time due to my living situation. So does anyone know of short-term rentals, apart-hotels, or anything similar that could be home for an American and a small dog for a couple of months?


r/nottingham 1d ago

Geography A-Level NEA Nottingham Creative Quarter Survey

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

Hope you’re well :) I’m a local A-Level Geography student currently collecting fieldwork data for my NEA project on the Creative Quarter (Hockley, Lace Market, and Sneinton Market).

If you have a spare 60 seconds, I’d be so grateful if you could fill out my quick survey. It is 100% anonymous and will be used purely for academic research.

Anyone can take the questionnaire!

Link to survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/JcT6Mymv1E

Thank you so much for your time! Feel free to drop any extra thoughts about the area in the comments below.


r/nottingham 2d ago

Reason for cancellation of nottingham running festival

106 Upvotes

Not sure if anyone saw the post this morning about the nottingham running festival being cancelled. Here is the reason "Overnight, a group of travellers occupied the car park which made the venue unusable for the event,"

"Our event teams have been working with the venue and the police in the early hours of the morning to look at alternative viable solutions, however both have advised that the site would not be able to be cleared in order for the event to go ahead safely."

Not to be too controversial, but if this group illegally entered a site, why can't they be kicked out which has now spoiled 1000s of people's days? Apsolute joke.


r/nottingham 2d ago

A52 racing will lead to tragedy, warn residents in Bramcote

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37 Upvotes

Maybe put a speed camera there? Or do they only put speed cameras where they’re only going to catch unlucky commuters?


r/nottingham 2d ago

Free Vue Cinema Voucher

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18 Upvotes

Nothing interesting for me to watch at the moment. Sorry I've only the one. It's a first come first serve. Use the app to make sure you don't turn up and it's already gone.

Enjoy the movie 🍿


r/nottingham 2d ago

What’s happened to the Lidl that was going to open in the City Centre?

25 Upvotes

I can’t remember when but I read that there’ll be a Lidl opening up where the old Currys used to be by Trinity Square. Is there any progress on that? Does anyone know 🤔


r/nottingham 1d ago

Does anyone else love this subculture?

0 Upvotes

The subculture in question has been around for over twenty years and its basically protected me since I was little. the uniform was track suits, gold rings, chains or diamond ear studs, baseball caps, and chunky trainers. all of them were white and they liked r and b, garage and dnb. their slang included phrases like swear down, peng, bare, etc. they protected me from bullies throughout my teen years. wasnt just a single group of them but multiple groups of them. and as the subculture grew and aged it protected me after i became an adult. i remember i was feeling proper depressed and felt like i had no one to turn to and then two men belonging to the subculture stopped and talked me out of it. this is just a few examples but literally every encounter ive had with them has been uniquely positive. theres still loads in my area the og ones are in their thirties and every time i see one or a group of them i feel relaxed


r/nottingham 3d ago

QMC A&E STAFF

219 Upvotes

Went to QMC feeling unusually paranoid and my speech all messed up. Never had any mental health problems in my life (45). The Dr's and nurse told me im mentally unwell and needed to go home and stop bothering them which I disagreed with so they referred me to a mental health nurse. I saw this young nurse, probably younger than my son, lovely lad. He got A&E Dr to get me a scan. Turns out I have a brain tumor after medical professionals dismissed me and just made me believe I was crazy. Consultants and physical health nurses were ready to let me walk out of a and e with that thing in my head. I used to have a dislike towards immigrants but an immigrant saved my life. Life is one hell of a story, just be kind to others.