Nottingham

Nottingham (famous throughout the world for its association with the legend of Robin Hood, Nottingham Lace, Raleigh Cycles, Boots the Chemist, Brian Clough and Torvill and Dean) is a large city with a population of around 286,000, excluding places which many people consider to be part of the City, such as Carlton, Gedling and West Bridgford. It is the 7th largest urban area in the United Kingdom behind places such as Liverpool and Sheffield Old Market Square (see separate page) is the heart of Nottingham City Centre. This 22,000 sq m open space is said to be the largest open square in England after being completely refurbished in 2007. The Square includes a large water feature, which consists of numerous fountains and gushing rapids. The entire square was re-surfaced with granite slabs imported from China (at enormous expense), and new trees were planted. There was a very mixed reaction to the design of this ‘modernistic’ redevelopment and it seems to be a case of “love it or hate it” for most people Nottinghams Council House, with its 200ft high dome, overlooks the square and is illuminated at night. No further directions are needed if people from Nottingham arrange to "meet you by the Lions" - they're at the front of the building! Within this building is the Exchange Arcade, a small arcade of good class shops	Nottingham is also well known for its caves, though it has to be recognised that these are all man made, having been carved out of the soft sandstone rock on which Nottingham sits. They form a complex network under the city, which has more man made caves than anywhere else in the country. Formerly used as dwellings by the poorer members of society, storage facilities and tanning works, they are now a somewhat overlooked but growing tourist attraction and a small part of the network is open to the public at the ‘City of Caves’ in the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre The Lace Market Area of the City is home to many large, grand Victorian buildings. These are reminders of Nottingham 's importance in the period of the Victorian Lace Industry, but he area is now best known for its numerous wine bars, night clubs and restaurants. Goose Fair, the largest travelling fair in the country, visits Nottingham every October and attracts many thousands of visitors. The fair is held on the Forest recreation ground (nothing to do with the football team of the same name)
Broadmarsh Shopping Centre and bus station (soon to be totally rebuilt, though subject to endless delays?) can be reached following a short walk down Exchange Walk or Wheeler Gate	The Victoria Centre, another major shopping precinct, lies just to the North of the City Centre, and alongside the newly developed block of shops, offices and apartments of Trinity Square. Both accessible from the Market Square along Clumber Street, sometimes said to be the busiest shopping street in the country.
The Gatehouse of Nottingham Castle (See separate page) is at the top end of Friar Lane, leading from the Market Square. On the way you will cross Maid Marian Way (home to the Tales of Robin Hood. The bronze Robin Hood Statue can be found outside the castle walls.	Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, a pub that claims to be the oldest in Britain, is partly built into the cave system below the castle and still retains access from the beer cellars to the castle through the cave inside castle rock
The Cornerhouse cinema, nightclub and restaurants complex, the Royal Concert Hall and the Nottingham Theatre Royal are to be found adjacent to one another just off the Market Square The National Ice Arena, a large ice skating rink, is also based in Nottingham – also used as a venue for Concerts by International performers and artistes. Famous also for its association with Nottinghams’ own Olympic Ice Dance champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean. But why no statue in their honour yet, perhaps it will come? And why did the designers ever believe that a car park was not needed at a venue such as this?	Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, located across the river Trent by Trent Bridge, is home to Notts County Cricket Club and is a major venue for International Test Matches The Ice Arena is also the home ground for the Nottingham Panthers Ice Hockey team The National Water Sports Centre lies at the side of the River Trent, just outside the City boundary, with a 2000m regatta lake for rowing, canoeing and sailing. There is also the challenging white water rapids slalom course which is fed from the river.
Nottingham Forest is one of Nottinghams' two football teams, playing at the City Ground - the other being the Magpies - Notts County , (the oldest FA Club in the UK, dating from 1862) who use the Meadow Lane stadium Nottingham Forest brought fame to the City under the leadership of Brian Clough & Peter Taylor - winning the European Cup twice in succession Unfortunately those glory days are now just a distant memory, with (As at March 2008)	The Robin Hood Marathon has been run every year since 1981, starting and finishing on the Victoria Embankment by the River Trent, and taking in many of the city's streets, historic parks and scenic sights This race is widely considered to be one of the best marathons in the UK – alongside those of London and Newcastle