Nottingham: The Five Minutes Spare Guide

Nottingham: More Than Just a Sheriff.

It’s true; there is a lot more to Nottingham than a swish accent and an association with Robin Hood. Let’s be clear before we go any further, though, If you are visiting Nottingham the number one pit stop should be Sherwood Forest. There really is no excuse not to see it if you are passing through. Its haunting beauty will never leave you and you get to walk in the footsteps of history (well fictitious history anyway). It’s a fair way outside of the city but totally worth it.

A Bit of Nottingham History

So what is it that makes this ancient English city such a star? Here’s the Five Minutes Spare spin on the history of Nottingham.

The Naming of Nottingham

Nottingham is rumoured to have been a settled city since before Anglo-Saxons roamed the Earth. There’s a bit of contention over who, what, and how the city name came into play. A Generally accepted version is that a Chief named Snot was the source and that the original name is ‘Snottingham’. This is the scholarly opinion. However…

As well-read people here at Five Minutes; we are more familiar with the Viking names for things. Author Bernard Cromwell refers to Nottingham as Snotengaham in ‘official’ usage from back-in-the-day. If there was ever a man who knew what he was talking about re English history – it was this man. Now that we have got the fandom out of the way, let’s get back to the history…

Snotengaham

Nottingham Castle was built in 1068; that much we do know. A small settlement grew up around it, protected by the fort there. The Norman Conquest saw the fort split into two distinct sectors: the French and the English Boroughs. Both sat at opposite ends of what is now the old Lace Market. The Castle sat on the banks of the River Leen, to the east of Trent Bridge. There is a really good map of Medieval Nottingham here, oddly courtesy of a blog about Disney’s Robin Hood.

An interesting side note regarding the castle: it still stands to this day. It is in the process of a (nearly) £30 million refurb. It should be open by the early 2021. It has stood for more than a thousand years. Go see it if you are nearby… The Castle is old enough to be recorded in the Domesday Book, which was a legal survey of all the land ownership in England, around the end of the 11^th century.

What about before the castle was built? Well, the Danes conquered much of what is now northern England in the 9^th century. They built a fort where Nottingham now stands. Before that, it is theorised that there were already people living in the area. This is because of a natural fjord in the River Trent – the first one for many miles. If the invading Danes came up the river and found a village there it would shortly become theirs.

The good news is that it was recaptured in 920. Sometime after the castle was built the ‘S’ was dropped. Nottingham grew a town hall, a courthouse, and a market square.

The Truth about Robin Hood

The Crusades at the end of the twelfth century saw Richard the Lionheart abroad for a good deal of his reign. Supporters of Prince John took over Nottingham Castle. Richard took it back when he returned. In the meantime: Robin of Locksley did exist, did partake in archery tournaments, and did like to hang out in the forest a lot. According to our sources he and his men (not his merry men, just his men… there is no historical testament as to their joyfulness) are first mentioned in documents around 1377. This means the time periods even match up.

So Robin Hood existed and was very much loved by the poor and needy. He was anti-Prince John and loved archery. The story has been embellished over the generations… but behind every legend is a grain of truth.

Fun Nottingham Facts!

Let’s take a bit of a break from all this history to cover some fun things. Here are some interesting titbits we found out about this lovely city while we were reading:

1. The Bicycle and Nottingham have a long history together… They were produced here, and several cycle paths run throughout the area.
2. Boots the Chemist also began in the streets of Nottingham. Chemistry was much more fun back then…
3. Nottingham sits on a vast cave system. Much like the catacombs of Paris (but much less sinister), this city is threaded with caves. Its name is (arguably) derived from an ancient word for ‘caves’… Scholars think this is a happy coincidence and go with the Snot interpretation.

We’re pretty sure our followers here at Five Minutes Spare can think of a few more interesting facts about Nottingham. Head on over to the Forum to have your tuppence worth.

The Post-Robin-Hood Years

Once this era was done and by, the eleventh century saw the erection of several churches around the growing fort town. A friary was added in the 13^th century – which might explain why Nottingham has had a long history with monks. In that same century, the Jewish population of the city was persecuted by rebels.

In the 14^th century, a hospital expanded the growing community of (now) mixed Saxons and Normans. In the following century, it was granted the corporate town charter that committed it to the maps and records. The city gradually changed from one of religious revelry to one of textiles. The Industrial Revolution a century or so later saw the introduction of the mills and a tremendous trade in lace. Nottingham Lace was, at one point, known throughout the kingdoms.

A Bit of Depression

Argh… poor Nottingham. After the boom in the Industrious years, it could only fall. The introduction of socialism (see our post on New Lanark) around 1800 saw the residents of Nottingham particularly unhappy. They were not well treated by the Lace industry. They had a riot, burned down the Duke of Newcastle’s residence (their own castle) and got that reformation introduced. Nowadays we joke that if things don’t go our way we will riot. Back in those days, you grabbed a pitchfork and some matches…

The textile industry in Britain was just about wiped out by the First, then the Second, World Wars. Munitions became the important production of the moment. The city was repeatedly bombed as the Luftwaffe spotted the lights from the sky. The Nottingham Blitz took place over 8-9^th May 1941. It is estimated that 100 bombers hounded the city overnight, leading to massive damage and loss of life.[i]

The BBC has this interesting group of photos of Nottingham during WWII. US soldiers were stationed here and its position on the Trent made it strategically important. Afterwards, and before then, the city was expanded to incorporate various communities that might once have been suburbs. Nottingham as we know it today has absorbed the following towns, much like ‘The Blob’:

• Basford
• Beeston
• Bestwood Park
• Bilborough
• Brewhouse Yard
• Bulwell
• Carlton
• Clifton
• Colwick
• Radford
• Sneinton
• West Bridgeford
• North Wilford
• Wilford
• Wollaton
• And probably a whole bunch we missed out.

Now that we know how Nottingham came to be, let’s talk attractions. What are the best bits of the city to see if you happen to be holidaying here?

Nottingham Attractions

So what is there to do in this historical city? Plan your next visit to the realm of Robin Hood, here.

Visit Nottingham Castle

it’s not fully open until 2021 but it is still a sight to see.

Wollaton Hall and Park

Nottingham is home to Wollaton Hall, the spectacular Elizabethan Manor House set inside 500 acres of woodland, gardens, and parks. If you want something free to do of an afternoon, then wander the woods. Or, if you have the money, throw your whole wedding here. Either way it will be a wonderful day spend perusing the grounds of a 16^th century manor.

Go down to the Caves

We mentioned before that the cave system under the city of Nottingham is a sight to behold, and we meant that literally. Try not to get lost in the City of Caves, with more than 500 sandstone caves to meander. No but we mean it – try not to get lost.

When you buy a ticket for this you can buy a joint ticket for the National Justice Museum, which is a decent day out.

See the Old Market Square

That old marketplace that was first started in the eleventh century is still in use today. You can even shop there. In the summer they bring a ton of sand in and make a beach here. There are fountains and beautiful architecture. This is where the Christmas markets tend to be. It’s full of places to shop and eat but be warned that it is always busy… even in the middle of the night.

If you are into visiting old markets then you need to check out the Lace Quarter, too. This is the creative end of the city nowadays. It is home to the types of old bookshops that smell like the libraries of your youth, a myriad of vintage and retro clothing boutiques, and any number of art galleries in Nottingham.

Catch a show at The Nottingham Playhouse

The Playhouse is not your average theatre. It is grand, eloquent, and caters to a variety of performers. If a big act is coming to town you can usually find them here. This is also the perfect place to catch a huge production or a pantomime at Christmas time. This is the place where the schools of the area bring the little ones for a pre-Christmas-break laugh.

If your passion is the theatre then you might also like to go on the Robin Hood Experience. In addition, have a look at the Haunted Museum and the Theatre Royal & Concert Hall. The former is a great night out for a scare, the latter is where those that really love the theatre scene hang out. It’s also the best place for opera and ballet in Nottingham.

Or at the Albert Hall…

So it’s not the Royal Albert Hall, but it is the next best thing. Catch a gig at some of the fine music venues in the city, including the Maze and Rock City. The Rescue Rooms and JT Soar are two other popular venues. If you are booked in for a gig in Nottingham it is probably for one of these.

Visit the Industrial Museum

Nottingham has a huge industrial heritage and a history of an economy driven by peaks and troughs in the industrial sector. From the production of bicycles to the textiles that made the city world famous – the Industrial Museum can talk you through it all.

Nottingham is home to a variety of museums. If you like culture, learning, and a little history, you can also visit the Galleries of Justice Museum. The Brewhouse Yard Museum is your third choice… or you can catch an exhibit, instead. For that, see the Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery or the Bonington Art Gallery for a choice in galleries.

Other Notable Nottingham Attractions

There is so much to do in Nottingham that we couldn’t put it all in one place – so you are very lucky if you live there. If, like us, you are just passing through, then here are some of the other sights you should see:

• Highfield Park is a firm favourite for nature lovers, check out the Arboretum as well if that is you.
• Both Stonebridge City Farm and Green’s Windmill are unexpected finds in the heart of the city.
• For the best shopping in Nottingham try the Exchange or the Intu Victorian Centre.

There are a thousand other things to do in town… There isn’t a webpage big enough to hold them all!

Famous Nottingham People

What famous people came from Nottingham? We are already on it…

• Several military personnel of fame have come from Nottingham. Both wars, and previous conflicts, have seen some very brave souls out of this city.
• Stella Rimington was from Nottingham; making gender equality strides as the first woman to run MI5.
• Lord Byron, the world-famous poet, was from the area and is buried here.
• H. Lawrence, another famous writer, was also from the area.
• More recently, Jake Bugg, the singer/songwriter was born in a suburb.
• There have been literally thousands. Wikipedia made a good attempt at a full list. You can see it, if you are interested, by following this link.

When is the Best Time to Visit Nottingham?

Looking to plan your Nottingham city break? No trouble. According to the Nottingham Travel Guide, the best times to visit are May-September. We kind of agree, with a nod towards the Christmas markets and the Goose Fair, which is held at the beginning of October. The Goose Fair has a long history and more than 500 attractions. Definitely a must-see.

Where to Eat, Drink, Party and Stay in Nottingham?

If you are in town with the whole family, the best group eating can be found at the Bistro Live. If you are a fan of tapas dining and sharing food then Yamas Meze and Tapas have amazing reviews and take large bookings.

To impress a client, or for the foodies among you, try the 2 Michelin Star Restaurant Sat Bains for a truly special meal. Alchemilla also has a star, as do a few others. You can view the full list in the Michelin Guide. Nottingham is one of the best places in Britain for food.

There is plenty of nightlife in Nottingham. Rockers rock out at Pepper Rocks. Tilt is for ravers, Be at One for dancers… but the oldest pub in town is Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem and it gets by far the highest ratings on travel sites.

As to where to stay. It depends on your budget. The best hotel is rumoured to be Igloo Hybrid, but Igloo (the hostel) is a little cheaper if you need budget accommodation. There is a Premiere Inn and numerous other places to stay. The average for a three-star hotel seems to be £30 (ish).

The conclusion? Nottingham Kinda Rocks

The thing is: no matter where you stay in the ancient, Robin Hood-loving city of Nottingham, you are sure to have a good time. We can’t control the weather, of course, but with so many outdoor and indoor attractions in town, there is no way you won’t have fun. So whether you are here for a holiday or just passing through: take some time, see the sights, and come back for more if there simply isn’t time to see them all!

Got Five Minutes More?

If you still have some time on your break why not take up a new hobby? You can do everything from learning a new skill, to brushing up on your education, over at Five Minutes Spare HQ. Go on. Nottingham isn’t the only thing we can guide you through for a laugh…

[i] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nottingham_Blitz

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nottingham

primaryfacts.com/3604/nottingham-facts-and-information/