Nottingham: History Above and Below Ground

Nottingham: History Above and Below Ground

Nottingham’s cultural attractions range from castle and city history to an extensive network of caves beneath the streets. Nottingham Castle Museum & Art Gallery looks back on a 1,000-year history. The museum and galleries showcase fine art, lace, Robin Hood and the history of Nottingham Castle. Different sides of the city stand side by side: historical stories, art and a subject that continues below street level.

There are more than 1,000 caves beneath the streets of Nottingham. The City of Caves showcases the largest publicly accessible section of this extensive network. A cave tour from Nottingham Castle offers the opportunity to visit Mortimer’s Hole or King David’s Dungeon; which cave you can visit depends on its availability on the day. The underground network as part of the city’s history and the specific tour offer two different perspectives on the same subject.

Museums, Architecture and Technology

The National Justice Museum is housed in the Grade II* listed Shire Hall. It is located in the Lace Market, near the railway station and tram and bus stops. Its offerings include reenactments of historical court trials. As dates may change, check the current schedule if you plan to attend a performance. Free exhibition areas explore modern issues of social justice. The Crime Gallery has free family activities and permanent exhibitions on crime; exhibition content may change. The Project Lab is a free interactive space where visitors can respond to exhibitions and events. Details of what’s on there may also change.

Nottingham Contemporary offers another connection between history and the present. The building is set into sandstone cliffs and inspired by the historic Lace Market district. It also references the striking, elegant warehouses that once served Nottingham’s famous lace industry. Inside, Nottingham Contemporary presents ambitious exhibitions of international art. The architecture and exhibition programme each make their own contribution.

Wollaton Hall is a Grade I listed Elizabethan mansion. It is set in 500 acres of natural parkland. The Hall asks visitors, where possible, to walk or cycle to the park rather than travel by car. Green’s Mill offers a different historical focus: the restored, working tower windmill dates from the 19th century. Alongside the mill, the Science Centre offers experiments on light, electricity and magnetism. Here, a historic technical structure and scientific topics sit side by side.

Planning Walks and Activities

Nottingham Arboretum opened on 11 May 1852. It has two named routes, the Arboretum Heritage Trail and the Arboretum Tree Trail. There is also orienteering, with a specially created map. If you prefer a different format, you can take self-guided walks at your own pace. The options differ not only in subject, but also in whether you follow a named route, use a map for orienteering or set your own pace.

For ice skating, the National Ice Centre offers sessions for all ages and ability levels. Available sessions may change, so check the dates for your intended day of visit. Nottingham city centre is compact and largely designed to be car-free. Alongside cultural attractions, there are urban highlights, outdoor activities and sport. If you’re looking for a hotel in Nottingham, you can tailor your choices to the focus of your stay—such as city history, art and architecture, walks or ice skating.

Discover more destinations: East Retford, Eastwood, Ordsall, Warsop, Coddington, Whatton, Chilwell, Sutton Bonington.

For the broader travel overview: Nottinghamshire.