Nottingham

Nottingham rebuilt its city centre hard around the Old Market Square and the castle, and most visitors base themselves within a short walk of one or the other.

Nottingham Castle itself is a rebuilt Ducal Mansion rather than the medieval fortress of the Robin Hood legend — the original was slighted after the Civil War — but the site, with its caves cut into the sandstone rock beneath, is still the city's anchor point for visitors. Around it, the Lace Market has the best-preserved Victorian warehouse architecture in the city, now mostly bars, restaurants and independent shops, and it's an easy, flat walk into the centre.

Where to base yourself

The Old Market Square area puts you closest to the tram network, the main shopping streets and the widest choice of restaurants — best if you don't want to think too hard about logistics. The Lace Market and Hockley side is quieter at night but still a short walk from everything, and tends to suit longer stays. Anyone driving in and out to Sherwood Forest or the Dukeries is usually better off just outside the centre, near the ring road, where parking is easier and you're not fighting the one-way system.

Where to Stay in Nottingham

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  Premier Inn Nottingham City Centre (Chapel Bar)Right by the castle and Old Market Square.
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  Premier Inn Nottingham City Centre (Goldsmith Street)On the tram line, near Nottingham Trent University.
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  ibis Nottingham CentreIn the Lace Market, a short walk from the station.
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  Travelodge Nottingham CentralA few minutes' walk from the castle and City of Caves.
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  Crowne Plaza NottinghamCity-centre hotel near the Victoria Centre.
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  Hart's HotelBoutique hotel built into the old city walls, next to the castle.
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  Lace Market HotelGeorgian boutique hotel in the Lace Market.
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  Park Plaza NottinghamLarge modern hotel on Maid Marian Way, by the castle.
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  DoubleTree by Hilton Nottingham GatewayLarger hotel with leisure club, near the M1 on the ring road.
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  Roomzzz Nottingham CityAparthotel off Talbot Street, near the tram network.
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  St James HotelCentral mid-range hotel near the Old Market Square.

Getting around

Nottingham's tram network (NET) covers the city centre, the railway station and the main park-and-ride sites, and is genuinely useful if you're not driving. The railway station itself is a short walk from the Lace Market and has direct trains to London, Sheffield and Leicester.