Things To Do In Nottingham On Your Trip

There are many intriguing cities in the UK that are full of culture and history. It can be difficult to decide which cities to visit, as there are so many to choose from! 

Nottingham is a beautiful city that is definitely worth a visit. There are plenty of historical places to visit, as well as culture and arts events. There are many different possibilities of things to do in this area. 

So, this article will provide you with a helpful guide of things to do in Nottingham on your trip! Let’s dive in.

Wollaton Hall & Park

Wollaton Hall and Park is a great place to visit in Nottingham. It is one of the best Elizabethan mansions that is available to be visited in the United Kingdom.

It is Grade One listed, and it is set within 500 acres of incredible parkland. 

When you head over to this park, you will find some available guided tours that are available throughout the year. There are also special tours for hidden history or ghost nights which are great! 

When you attend Wollaton Hall and Park you will enjoy visiting the Cafe in the Courtyard. Here, you can get some delicious coffees, specialty teas and cakes.

National Justice Museum

The National Justice Museum is located in the Lace Market in Nottingham. This is a historic market in the city. The museum is situated in the Grade 2 listed building the old Shire Hall and County Gaol. 

In this museum, you can see the historic rooms that were previously used as courtrooms, dungeons and prison cells. 

You will find a number of fantastic galleries and exhibits. Some of the notable ones centre around justice, the law and crime and punishment. The museum is fairly interactive, so it is great for the whole family! 

Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall

The Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall are 2 fantastic entertainment venues in Nottingham. At these venues, you will have the chance to see a number of different musicals and plays.

Lots of the top West End performances are shown here. You will also have the chance to catch some ballet and opera performances, as well as pop, rock and classical music shows.

There are also lots of children’s performances available at the Theatre Royal so it is a great night out for all the family.

Nottingham Industrial Museum 

Nottingham Industrial Museum is a great place to visit if you are interested in Nottinghamspire’s industry (if you’re interested in the history of aviation, check out our guide to aviation museums). It has lots of information surrounding textiles, transport, communication, mining and power. 

There are many fantastic artefacts and exhibits available here, including the ability to see a working Basford Beam engine. You will also have the chance to use an original Thomas Humber Bicycle. 

The museum is also working on bringing a lot of other artefacts into working condition. This will highlight the ingenuity that went into the industrial revolution in Nottingham. 

At this museum, there are many volunteers on hand to show you around and give you information about the items.

Framework Knitters Museum 

This is a very unique museum to visit. It is a working museum that has won awards for its individuality! At this museum you will have the chance to discover how the knitters worked and lived.

You will also have the chance to see some of the historic hosiery that they have. You will see Queen Victoria’s stockings!

You can also see the poor living and working conditions that the knitters would have been privy to. At this museum, you will also discover the craft which made Nottingham’s Lace Industry so popular. 

While you’re at this museum, you should visit the Parkers yard textile shop. As well as this, enjoy a coffee in the enclosed cafe! 

City Of Caves

The City of Caves is a fantastic part of the National Justice Museum. It is home to a set of man-made caves that date as far back as 1250 AD. These were discovered under a shopping centre! 

This is definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in Nottingham! You can immerse yourself in the winding passageways of the caves. Here, you will have the chance to discover the lives of the people who worked in these caves. 

You can soak up the atmosphere in these caves that are located under the city centre. You can also visit the WW2 air raid shelters. 

It is a good idea to book tickets if you want to visit this attraction because only a limited number of people are able to enter the caves at one time. This is especially important if you are visiting the caves during the school holidays or on the weekends.

Nottingham Trams

If you’re visiting Nottingham you’ll definitely want to have a ride on the Nottingham trams! They run through the city and into the suburbs and are a fantastic way to get around. 

If you don’t need to get anywhere, there’s no harm in getting the trams just for a ride! 

If you’re looking for a way to get between the attractions listed above, trams are likely the best way to do this! 

Green’s Windmill

Green’s Windmill is a great place to visit in Nottingham. It is a restored 19th Century tower mill. This windmill has been restored, and it started turning again in 1986.

It was once the home to mathematical physicist George Green. 

You can also climb to the top of this windmill! It is a great opportunity to see how the windmill can turn grain into flour! 

The Science Center that is located at Green’s windmill is interactive and it will tell you all about the previous inhabitant, George Green. There is something for all the family at this Windmill! 

The Haunted Museum

The haunted museum is a great place to visit while you’re in Nottingham! It is home to many haunted items from around the world.

Here, you will see a lot of Voodoo skulls, shrunken heads and Devil’s toy boxes.

The haunted museum is home to the last remaining Victorian hearse in existence. It has been said that the handle on this hearse has moved on its own!

If you attend the museum, you will be able to see the video evidence for this.

Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham

Nottingham has a fairly large music scene, and there are lots of live music venues around the city. The biggest entertainment venue in the city is the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham. 

This arena is one of the top 10 venues in the UK. Here, you will be able to see many different comedy shows, live music events and sporting events. There are over 10,000 seats in this venue. 

Old Market Square 

The old market square is a great place to visit in Nottingham. There are lots of different events that take place here, including the summer beach and the winter wonderland.

There is always something to see in the Old Market Square, so it is definitely worth a visit while you’re in Nottingham! 

Stonebridge City Farm

Stonebridge City Farm is a great place to visit if you’re hoping to get away from the city for a while.

It is located in the heart of the City of Nottingham, but it brings a taste of the countryside with it! 

At this farm, you can get close to all of the animals. They are small animals that you are able to feed and pet. 

You can also enjoy a visit to the cafe where you can enjoy some cakes and meals that are created from locally sourced ingredients! This is a great place to take the family on your trip to Nottingham! 

History Of Nottingham 

The city of Nottingham dates as far back as the 6th century. It started as a small settlement that was known as Snotta inga ham. The name slowly changed to Snottingham and then later became Nottingham.

Nottingham then grew into a town. In 920, the English King built a bridge across the river. It was a busy town with a population of several hundred people.  

In 1067, William the Conqueror built a castle around the city in order to guard it. It was built with wood originally, and then was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. 

Nottingham grew much larger after the Norman conquest and the area was split into two because a new area was built. This area was known as the French borough because the majority of those who lived there were Norman French.

Nottingham grew much larger in the years to come, to become the city that it is today. It was central to the industrial revolution.

Final Thoughts 

There are many great places to visit in Nottingham!

You certainly won’t get bored in this fantastic city in the UK. It is one of the main cities in the Midlands, and it has plenty to keep you and your family occupied on your visit!