Nottingham Capital City of Robin Hood County
Although this web site is primarily intended to give information about Rise Park Estate and places in close proximity, it would not be complete without some reference to the City of Nottingham.
So these pages are included to give a brief summary of various aspects that might be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about Nottingham.
Nottingham - Queen of the Midlands
This page gives a brief and general summary of
the City and its’ attractions. More detailed information on certain aspects can be
viewed using the Tabs at top of the page
Nottingham is famous throughout the world
for its association with the legend of Robin Hood, Nottingham Lace, Raleigh Cycles,
Boots the Chemist, Brian Clough and world champions Torvill and Dean and Karl Froch.
It is a 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 and is the 7th largest urban area in the United Kingdom behind places such as Liverpool and Sheffield
The Market Square - See also separate page
This is at 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. It contains a large water feature, consisting of fountains, a reflection pond and gushing rapids. See picture at top right.
The entire square is surfaced with granite slabs imported from China 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.
Nottingham for Shopping
Broadmarsh Shopping Centre and bus station (long overdue for a redevelopment, though
subject to endless delays and now put on indefinite 'hold' ) 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 are accessible
from the Market Square along Clumber Street, sometimes said to be the busiest shopping
street in the country
Nottingham - City of Caves
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.
Goose Fair
This is the largest travelling fair in the country, visiting Nottingham for five days starting on the first Thursday of every October and attracting many thousands of visitors. The fair is held on the Forest Recreation Ground (nothing to do with the football team of the same name
Nottingham 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.
A bronze of the legendary Brian Clough can be found close by
Nottingham Castle
See also separate page - is at the top end of Friar Lane, leading from the Market Square. On the way you will cross Maid Marian Way. The bronze Robin Hood Statue can be found outside the castle walls, but the closure of the Tales of Robin Hood visitor attraction in 2008 means that the City now has almost nothing else to commemorate this local legend.
An appalling lack of foresight by the City Council and Tourism department, it must be said
The Lace Market Area
This is an area with many grand Victorian buildings. Reminders of Nottingham 's importance in the period of the Victorian Lace Industry, but now best known for its numerous wine bars, night clubs and restaurants
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
A pub that is thought 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. Check the Nottingham Castle Page for photograph of this historic Inn
Nottingham Castle & Castle Rock
The adjacent Royal Concert Hall -pictured left, was completed in 1982, on the site
of the old Empire Variety Theatre.
The air conditioned auditorium seats 2,499 and
is one of the most popular concert venues on the touring circuit, attracting leading
orchestras, comedians and dance acts plus rock bands and solo artistes from all over
the world.
The National Ice Arena / Trent FM arena - pictured left, is a large and recently built ice skating rink, close to the City Centre. It is 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 still lacking any statue in honour of these World Champions !
The Cornerhouse complex
Pictured left, this occupies a site just opposite the Royal Concert Hall and the
Theatre Royal and contains a large multi screen cinema and a variety of bars, cafes
and restaurants.
All within a couple of minutes walk from the City Centre Old Market Square (see separate page for more details)
The Theatre Royal - pictured right
With its classic facade and Corinthian columns, was originally constructed in 1865 at a cost of £15,000. It is now regarded as one of the best touring venues in the country, attracting major touring dramas, opera, ballet, West End musicals and, of course, an annual pantomime.
It was fully restored in the original Victorian style green and gilt decor in 1978, with elegant and airy foyers and bars, and an 1,186 seat auditorium.
Nottingham for Arts and Culture - see details below
Nottingham boasts many theatres, cinemas, concert venues and art galleries - just a few of which are listed here. Including the ultra modern Nottingham Contemporary for the display of modern art - opened in 2009
Useful Links
For anyone seeking a more comprehensive view of Nottingham in Pictures a visit to the following site is highly recommended
This contains a catalogue of well over 2500 photo's taken by local resident, Ray Teece.
Sport in Nottingham
The City Ground & Meadow Lane are home to Nottingham Forest & Notts County (oldest FA Club in the UK, dating from 1862) respectively. Nottingham Forest brought fame to the City under the leadership of Brian Clough & Peter Taylor - winning the European Cup twice in succession
Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, located by the river Trent close to Nottinghams main river crossing, is home to Notts County Cricket Club and is a major venue for International Test Matches
The National Ice Arena is also the home ground for the Nottingham Panthers Ice Hockey
team, who attract capacity crowds for their home matches.
The National Water Sports Centre lies at the side of the River Trent, just outside the City boundary, with a 2000 metre regatta lake for rowing, canoeing and sailing. There is also the challenging white water rapids slalom course which is fed from the river
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
The Nottingham Contemporary - see photo alongside
Built at huge expense, this centre for contemporary art opened in November 2009.
It is claimed to have some of the most impressive galleries in the UK, together with
film and performance space, cafe bar and education rooms.
But the actual building has been the subject of massive controversy in the City - loved by those who are “into contemporary art”, but disliked by many other observers, who also feel that its’ ‘shipping container’ appearance does not have a place in the surroundings of the historic Lace Market area.
For many more photos of Nottingham on this site go to the pages for Market Square,
Nottingham Castle and the River Trent.
Or check the link in the far left column to
go to Nottingham 21 for a much more extensive collection of pictures and information.
Nottingham's new flag was unveiled and hoisted in a ceremony at Nottingham Castle on 20th May 2011.
It was chosen from a shortlist of designs on a vote by local members of the public