City life

Nottingham is a really good size for a city…There is a quality alternative to just about every main amenity meaning a good independent cinema, theatre and music and book shops that feel like an Aladdin’s cave for the pop culture vulture.

A slicker city

Nottingham is one of the UK’s most cosmopolitan cities: its compact centre combines proud history with cutting-edge modernity – from the world’s oldest pub to designer boutiques.


A changing cityscape

Offering all the buzz of big city living while retaining its strong sense of community, Nottingham is one of the UK’s most desirable places to work, study and play.

The last decade has seen the city prosper. Billions of pounds of new investment have been pumped into Nottingham’s economy, transforming the cityscape. Business is booming with companies like Boots, Capital One and E.ON having located their national headquarters here.


City life

Nottingham’s social life is second to none. The city enjoys a legendary club scene and much of the action happens within the rejuvenated Lace Market/Hockley area where great venues like Bluu, Brass Monkey and Dogma have emerged. Nearby, Jongleurs hosts contemporary comedy.

For music, Nottingham attracts most of the big nationwide tours. Nottingham Arena hosts some of the world's biggest music acts, while the renowned Rock City brings in top rock and indie acts including the Kaiser Chiefs, the Stereophonics and Kings of Leon. The Bodega Social Club is a favourite spot with students and has already showcased bands like The Strokes and the White Stripes. If you'd rather retreat from the masses, The Loft is just one of many welcoming outposts on the outskirts of the city.


Good sport

Nottingham boasts more sports facilities per head of population than anywhere else in Europe. From ice-skating at the National Ice Centre and white-water rafting at the National Water Sports Centre, to watching Test Match cricket at the world renowned Trent Bridge, world-class tennis at the Nottingham Tennis Centre, or the beautiful game at either of the city’s famous football clubs, you’ll never be short of quality sport.


Culture vultures

Nottingham revels in its cultural diversity and has the greatest density of practising artists in Europe. Whether experiencing cutting-edge arts at the GameCity festival, enjoying Shakespeare alfresco at Nottingham Castle, or riding rollercoasters at the annual Goose Fair (one of Europe's most famous travelling fairs), it’s all here for you.

The Castle Museum, the first municipal art gallery outside London, exhibits important work, while the innovative Lakeside Arts Centre at The University of Nottingham hosts the latest art, music, comedy and drama.

A brand new £14m contemporary centre for visual and live arts in the city centre is also set to open in 2009. Nottingham Contemporary will include galleries, performing and rehearsal space and studios.


Stage and screen

For performing arts, Nottingham takes centre stage. Nottingham Playhouse is renowned for innovative drama, the lovingly restored 18th-Century Theatre Royal showcases world class theatre, ballet and opera, and The Royal Concert Hall attracts some of the biggest names in music, comedy and the performing arts.

Meanwhile, the independent Broadway Cinema comes highly recommended by both Quentin Tarantino, who held the British premiere of Reservoir Dogs here, and local fashion giant Paul Smith, who designed one of the cinema's screening rooms. The city also has a 14-screen multiplex and the world’s smallest cinema, with just 21 seats!

Not just content to show films, Nottinghamshire has also starred in a few. The county was the location for a clutch of films released in 2008 including Control, starring local actor Samantha Morton, and This is England, a film from Nottingham's adopted film director Shane Meadows.

Comedians David Mitchell and Robert Webb have also used Nottingham in their film Magicians, and the University even hosted the cast and crew of new football film Goal 3. Set for release in 2009, some of the film's scenes were shot at Nottingham's own King's Meadow Campus.


Retail therapy

Nottingham has established itself as one of the UK’s most successful shopping centres. The cityis certainly stylish, with local hero Paul Smith recently opened a flagship store to complement his original shop on nearby Byard Lane. With dozens of designer boutiques, big high street labels, and a variety of second-hand and vintage bargains, there’s simply no excuse for looking scruffy – unless you want to of course.


Escape to the country

For those who like to take a break from the buzz of the city, there are areas of outstanding natural beauty close by. The Peak District, the world’s second most visited national park, as well as historical buildings like Newstead Abbey (home of Lord Byron) and Wollaton Hall are within easy
reach of Nottingham. And, of course, there’s Sherwood Forest – once home to the legendary Robin Hood.


As soon as I came to Nottingham I fell in love with the place.
It’s fantastic to have a vibrant, metropolitan city on your doorstep but one that’s not so big it swamps you.

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