Better than its reputation! (Nottingham in General)

Member Name: jennikitten

Product:	Nottingham in General
Date:	29/12/08 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ingredients for a fun day out, has some of England's oldest pubs and history

Disadvantages: Some areas aren't very nice

Nottingham has a really bad reputation for gun crime, burglary and crime in general in the UK. However, I lived there for three years and in my opinion, as long as you don't do anything silly like wander round round in the dark on your own in the middle of the night, or get involved with a gang, you'll be fine!

Like any other city, there are parts which are nice and expensive and parts which are quite scummy (admittedly near the city centre it is mainly the latter). However, for a day trip there is quite a lot to see and do.

A few miles out is Sherwood Forest, home to the legendary Robin Hood. You'll need a car to get there but it's a nice place to walk around. I think there's also a Center Parcs around there somewhere.

In the city itself there is Nottingham Castle, which is small but worth a look. Often in the summer and early autumn they stage plays just outside it and serve food. This is particularly nice for outdoor performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream, for example, as it gets dark in the play the same as it gets dark outside. There's also a museum near the castle, and lots of special events for kids.

Connected to one of Nottingham's shopping centres, rather weirdly, are Nottingham's caves. They also have a small gift shop. I've never been to them so I can't comment on how good they are...!

On Saturdays there is a market in the square, if you go near Christmas it's the German/French Christmas market and often outdoor ice skating. At other times of the year it's much smaller and focuses on food from the local area and Leicestershire.

In October every year is the Goose Fair, as written about by D. H. Lawrence. This is a big fun fair on the Nottingham Forest football ground and it has lots of stalls and things to buy (craft and home stuff as well as tacky and sticky treats). It lasts for 3 days.

Even if you just fancy a walk there is Wollaton Park, which is quite unusual as it was deer that roam around. There's also the Hall you can visit if you're into that kind of thing. There's also a nice walk down the canal, particularly on summer afternoons and evenings when you can stroll past all the boats and then sit by the canal at the Exchange and enjoy something to eat and drink.

Generally I think that people are turned away from Nottingham by its reptuation, but it's a lovely place to visit with excellent transport links and a good day out for all.

Summary: Give it a try - history, culture and good shopping!