From haunted tunnels to Nutella martinis and Sunday-roast burgers — there’s much more to Nottingham than Robin Hood
FANCY a weekend away without breaking the bank?
Our writer Kate Wills discovers haunted tunnels, Nutella martinis and Sunday-roast burgers in Nottingham. Check out her guide to 48 hours in the city.
Explore the caves
There’s a whole world hidden beneath the city, and a Nottingham Castle cave tour, £5, includes a visit to King David’s dungeon and the haunted Mortimer’s Hole ().
Don’t miss a selfie with the statue of Robin Hood outside the castle.
Although sadly it doesn’t look much like Kevin Costner.
Meanwhile, on a two-and-a-half-hour Robin Hood Town Tour led by the enthusiastic Ezekial Bone dressed as the heroic outlaw, £12, you’ll learn the city was called “Snottingham” before the Normans invaded ().
Scoff grouse
Foodie-wise, Nottingham has everything from two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Sat Bains, serving avant-garde British fare, to its own Curry Mile.
The best lunch spot is deli Delilah Fine Foods, with tasty grazing plates and charcuterie platters, from £3.95 ().
Hart’s, tucked away on top of a hill, features gourmet options like foie gras, grouse and rock octopus, £25 for two courses ().
Craving something simpler? Head to Annie’s Burger Shack. The diner has 32 varieties, including the Sunday Dinner: a beef patty topped with chicken breast, Yorkshire pud and stuffing, from £8.90 ().
Sip ye olde pints
Dating back to 1189, Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem (known as The Trip to locals) claims to be the oldest inn in England.
Knights Templar – and Katy Perry – have sunk a pint of toffee-flavoured house brew Olde Trip ().
At the Curious Tavern, enjoy a craft beer and oysters amid steampunk interiors ().
Or nip down to underground cocktail bar The Bunker for neon lights and Nutella martinis, £8.
Shop the arcades
With two massive shopping centres – one boasting a four-storey Zara – your credit card has been warned!
Check out covered arcade Cobden Chambers, with its quirky jewellery, stationery and chocolate shops.
Then head to the hip area of Hockley for vintage clothes and antiques (Cow is where the cool kids hang out), plus well-curated charity shops and record stores like Rough Trade.
If you’re a fan of striped socks, local boy Paul Smith’s flagship Willoughby House store is a fascinating mini fashion museum.
Play with paint
The city has a thriving arts scene, from free exhibitions at the Nottingham Contemporary to shows at the Nottingham Playhouse.
In the centre, the Malt Cross is a former Victorian music hall that hosts gigs and stand-up ().
Tap into your creative side with a “crafternoon” at Debbie Bryan, where cake and coffee is served as you try your hand at jewellery making or screen printing, from £30 ().
More into pixels than paints? The National Videogame Arcade, entry £9.50, has cutting-edge virtual reality demos and a place for you to create your own video game.
Or just stick to playing Pac-Man for hours, as we did ().
Kip like a celeb
On a pretty cobbled street opposite the old courthouse and jail (now the National Justice Museum), the Lace Market Hotel offers views of St Mary’s Church, said to have been a regular haunt of Robin Hood.
The hotel has Ren toiletries in the art-deco bathrooms and perfect poached eggs come morning – no wonder Ellie Goulding stayed here. Double rooms start at £86 ().
BTW
Nottingham is where HP sauce was invented.
Plan your trip at .
Train tickets from London to Nottingham cost from £25 return ().
