Welcome to Nottingham
City of culture Nottingham’s a vibrant city, famed home of Sir Paul Smith and a fashion hotspot for some of the world’s top designers. The city is consistently ranked in the top five UK shopping destinations and is packed with high street stores, designer labels and a growing line of independent boutiques, stocking everything from rare vinyl to original arts and crafts. At the heart of the city is the new look piazza. The multimillion pound refurbishment of Old Market Square has created one of Europe’s largest market places - on a par with public spaces on the continent. The centrepiece is the Council House, faithfully guarded by the lions. This picture postcard building is the traditional seat of the council. Events are held in Old Market Square throughout the year including open air concerts, festivals and a popular monthly fine food market. Just off Old Market Square is Nottingham tourism centre, a landmark tourist information centre and convenient place to buy tickets, Nottinghamshire souvenirs and get a personalised planning service for your visit. Nottingham is a city of contrast, a busy commercial and retail centre by day and by night a haven for culture, music and entertainment. The city has an established reputation for cutting edge music and arts. Rock City welcomes up and coming bands while Trent FM Arena Nottingham hosts global icons such as Dolly Parton, Foo Fighters and Bob Dylan. Buzzing with life, two top class universities ensure a trendy and youthful exuberance in Nottingham with nightlife and entertainment to rival any major city.  | The cultural offer in Nottingham is one of outstanding art, world renowned performances and the best in crafts, ceramics and modern classics. The Royal Centre has hosted global greats like the Bolshoi Ballet. This year the Royal Shakespeare Society pay a visit and the Hallé return as part of the Nottingham Classics series to celebrate the orchestra’s 150th birthday. Meanwhile nottdance is one of the most influential contemporary dance festivals in Europe and takes place each autumn at venues around the city. The Centre for Contemporary Art Nottingham is being built at Weekday Cross and opens in 2009. The centre is said to rival the Guggenheim at Bilbao. And modern art is celebrated in Nottingham at the New Art Exchange and Lakeside - host venue for the acclaimed Lustre contemporary craft makers’ market. Families can also enjoy a fun packed day in the city. At Nottingham Castle pick up the In the footsteps of Robin Hood audio trail and learn more about Robin’s turbulent relationship with his arch enemy the Sheriff. The Castle has many exhibitions throughout the year and a favourite annual event is the Robin Hood Pageant in October. Beneath the Castle, carved out of Castle Rock is the Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard. And in the shadows of the ducal mansion is Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, England’s oldest inn and purveyor of fine real ales. In the historic Lace Market area you’ll find NCCL Galleries of Justice, telling the gruesome tale of crime and punishment across the past 300 years. In the evenings you can take a guts and gore tour of Nottingham with resident ghost Ezekial Bone.  | The city is home to international venues such as Trent Bridge cricket ground, Notts County Football Club - the oldest league club in the world - and Nottingham Forest FC with its links to sporting great Brian Clough. Torvill and Dean started their careers here and Nottingham still has excellent ice skating at the National Ice Centre. It attracts shows like Dancing on Ice and Disney events as well as national and international ice hockey and skating championships. Whether you like to spectate or participate Nottingham has an unrivalled sporting offer. The City of Nottingham Tennis Centre hosts the annual Nottingham Open, a precursor to Wimbledon where you’re guaranteed to see some of the seeded greats of the tennis world. Nottingham is also home to the critically acclaimed Michelin starred chef and restaurateur Sat Bains. The city was recently heralded as a capital for food with more international food outlets per square mile than anywhere else in the UK. An eclectic mix of global cuisine is available within the city centre's 300 eateries alone.
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