Things to Do in Nottingham
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Nottingham, England, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Nottingham has an outlaw legend hiding in a nearby forest, a whole district once named for its lace trade, and a pub carved into the rock beneath the castle that claims to be the oldest inn in England. This is the proper guide to things to do in Nottingham, what things actually cost, when to go, and which bits are worth your time. Four main stops below, plus a quiz at the bottom to see if you were paying attention.
Nottingham Castle & Robin Hood
I asked in the quiz which legendary outlaw Nottingham is closely associated with, and it's Robin Hood, said to have hidden in nearby Sherwood Forest, with his statue standing right outside Nottingham Castle exactly as the quiz hint described. The castle itself, rebuilt substantially since its medieval origins, is home to a museum and gallery covering the legend alongside Nottingham's wider history, fine art and its alabaster carving tradition, and a single ticket covers repeat admission for a full year.
Robin Hood Adventures, a dedicated exhibit within the castle, uses digital storytelling screens and interactive gaming tables to bring the legend to life for younger visitors, and cave tours running beneath the castle, when available, add an extra fee but a genuinely atmospheric look at the older, darker history under the building.
Hours Generally 10am-5pm, check current days and times
Address Lenton Road, Nottingham NG1 6EL
Official site nottinghamcastle.org.uk
The Lace Market
The answer to the second quiz question: Nottingham is historically famous for producing lace, giving the city a strong link to the textile trade, and the Lace Market district, right in the city centre, was named for exactly that trade. The first machine to make lace was invented in Nottingham, turning the city into the world centre of machine-made lace production, and the district's well-preserved Georgian and Victorian architecture still reflects the wealth that industry brought.
The area today is a genuinely pleasant mix of independent shops, cafes and bars housed in converted lace warehouses, and Nottingham Castle's own Lace Gallery holds exquisite examples of the craft if you want to see the finished product alongside the district's architecture.
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
I asked in the quiz which pub claims to be the oldest inn in England, and it's Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, carved partly into the rock beneath Nottingham Castle, its name referencing Crusader knights said to have stopped here on their way to the Holy Land exactly as the quiz hint described. Parts of the pub are said to date back to 1189, and its cave-like rooms, cut directly into the sandstone the castle stands on, give it a genuinely different atmosphere to an ordinary historic pub.
It's a working pub rather than a museum piece, so the best way to experience it is simply to have a drink or a meal there, the Sheriff's Pie is a genuine local menu fixture worth trying given the setting.
Address 1 Brewhouse Yard, Nottingham NG1 6AD
Nottingham's Caves & Wollaton Hall
Nottingham sits on a genuine network of man-made sandstone caves running beneath the city, City of Caves, a separate attraction near the Broadmarsh area, runs guided tours through some of the more accessible tunnels, covering everything from medieval tanneries to WWII air-raid shelters. Wollaton Hall, an Elizabethan mansion set in a large deer park a short distance from the centre, is free to explore the grounds and holds its own natural history museum, plus a passing claim to fame as a filming location for Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises.
Both make good half-day additions if you want to see more of Nottingham beyond the castle and Lace Market core.
Getting there Wollaton Hall: a short bus ride or drive from the city centre
Best time to visit Nottingham
Nottingham works well year-round, the castle, City of Caves and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem are all indoor or partly indoor attractions. Spring gives the most comfortable temperatures, blooming castle gardens and around 30% fewer visitors than peak summer, with tickets typically cheaper too. Wollaton Hall's deer park is best enjoyed May to September if outdoor time is part of your plan.
Getting around Nottingham
Nottingham's city centre, the Castle, the Lace Market and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, is compact and entirely walkable. Wollaton Hall sits a short bus ride or drive from the centre. Nottingham railway station and the city's tram network both make getting around straightforward.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Nottingham worth visiting?
- Yes, particularly for the Robin Hood legend brought to life at the castle, the well-preserved Lace Market district reflecting the city's textile wealth, and a genuinely unusual pub carved into the rock beneath the castle.
- How many days do you need in Nottingham?
- A day covers the castle, the Lace Market and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem comfortably. Add a second day for City of Caves and Wollaton Hall without rushing.
- Is Nottingham expensive?
- Moderate. The castle is the main paid attraction, with year-round repeat entry included; the Lace Market and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem (beyond normal pub prices) cost nothing to visit.
- What is Nottingham famous for?
- The legend of Robin Hood, said to have hidden in nearby Sherwood Forest; its historic lace-making industry, once making it the world centre of machine-made lace; and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, which claims to be England's oldest inn.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
