Nottingham, the self-proclaimed Queen of the Midlands, is said to be one of England's finest cities and its people travel to the city center from all parts of the Midlands for its wide variety of shops and stores. Nottingham was recently ranked the second best shopping area in England outside London with approximately 2 million regular shoppers. There are two large shopping centers, the Broadmarsh Centre with 80 stores, to the south near the main railway station and the Victoria Centre with 120 shops and stores all under one roof about one mile to the North. The area between is full of a wide variety of interesting stores and shops. Nottingham city centre is also famed for its night-life with a wide variety of pubs, inns, clubs and restaurants. Nottingham is also home of the National Watersports Centre.

The city center is also famous for its castle, built after the battle of Hastings by William the Conqueror, with its connections with Robin Hood. This fabled castle was laid to ruins after the civil war. It was near here, on what is now known as Standard Hill, that Charles I raised his standard on 22nd August 1642, to rally support and this began the Civil War. He probable chose Nottingham as he had many supporters in the City. On the castle site there now stands a 19th century building that houses the Castle museum. There are regular tours of the old caves under the old castle.

Nottingham is also famous for its lace and the Lace Centre, near the castle and near the Trip to Jerusalem Inn is a good starting point to learn about its history and perhaps to buy a few samples!

On the first Thursday in October, Nottingham holds its historic Goose Fair just one mile north of the city centre. This has been held here since at least 1284 and is one of the largest public fairs in Europe.

Over recent years, the waterside by the old Nottingham canal has been redeveloped. This is full of interesting restaurants and pubs and is well worth a visit. There is a Canal Museum here and Jongleurs, a popular comedy club Tel. 0115 958 6081.

The pubs selected here have been picked because of their special historic interest or quality of their beers. There are many others in the city worth a visit. If there is a pub in Nottingham that is your favorite and you wish to recommend it for inclusion please e-mail us

Places of Interest

Brewhouse Yard Museum, Castle Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 1FB. Tel. 0115 915 3600. The museum is a delight for children and adults alike and presents a glimpse of life in Nottingham over the last 300 years.

Galleries of Justice, Shire Hall, High Pavement, The Lace Market, Nottingham, NG1 1HN. Tel. 0115 952 0555. The historic original buildings were in use from 1700's up to the mid 1980's. In fact there has been a court on the site since 1375 and a prison since at least 1449. The Galleries of Justice provide a new a chilling experience of crime and punishment set in an 18th century context.

Green's Mill, Windmill Lane, Sneinton, Nottingham, NG2 4QB, Tel. 0115 915 6878. This is a unique working mill which was once home to the 19th century mathematical genius and miller, George Green.

National Ice Centre, Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 1LA Tel. 0115 853 3000 opened its doors in April 2000 providing luxury Olympic size ice rink which transforms into a 10,000 capacity enertainment and sporting venue. There is now an additional ice pad and is the only twin ice pad facility in the UK.

Nottingham Castle, off Friar Lane, Nottingham. Tel. 0115 915 3700. The Museum and Art Gallery inside Nottingham Castle contain a range of historical and contemporary art exhibitions. The gardens and grounds are a good place to relax. You can also explore
Nottingham Caves from here.

Museum of Costume and Textiles, Castle Gate, Nottingham, NG1 6AF. Tel. 0115 915 3500. The museum is housed in a row of 17th and 18th century cottages originally owned by a high Sheriff of Nottinghamshire. The costumes are diplayed in a series of period rooms from 1790 to 1935; 17th century and later embroidery and map tapestries of Nottinghamshire dated 1632. It also houses the finest collection of machine made lace in the country and hand made lace dating from the 16th century.

Tales of Robin Hood, Maid Marion Way, Nottingham, NG1 6CF. Tel. 0115 948 3284. A medieval adventure ride through the greenwood of Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Wollaton Hall and Park, Nottingham, NG8 2AE. Tel. 0115 915 3900. built between 1580 and 1586 by Sir Francis Willoughby and then occupied by his family until 1925. The hall now houses the City's Natural History Museum and the park is also open to the public. There is also an Industrial Museum.

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