Nottingham has always had a rebellious streak. From medieval cloth merchants to the Luddite uprisings and the legend of Robin Hood, this is a city that delights in a good story—and still writes new ones in its indie cafes, galleries, and music venues.

Come for the headline sights—Nottingham Castle, the National Justice Museum, and the City of Caves—and stay for leafy parks, Victorian pubs carved into sandstone, and a seriously good dining scene. The city’s compact center and efficient trams make it easy to explore in depth over a week.

Food skews inventive: Michelin-starred tasting menus, Japanese skewers grilled over binchotan, modern tapas, and classic British pies. Pack a light rain jacket, tap on with a contactless card for trams and buses, and book popular restaurants in advance (especially Friday–Saturday evenings).

Nottingham

Nicknamed “The Queen of the Midlands,” Nottingham blends medieval bones and modern creativity. You’ll wander from the grand Old Market Square to the bohemian streets of Hockley, past lace warehouses turned lofts, and down into a honeycomb of man‑made caves beneath the city.

Top highlights include Nottingham Castle and the Robin Hood statue, the sobering yet fascinating National Justice Museum, the City of Caves, and deer-roamed grounds of Wollaton Hall (a filming location for Batman’s Wayne Manor). The beer scene is anchored by historic pubs like Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, reputedly England’s oldest inn.

• Where to stay: For boutique convenience, look around the Lace Market and Hockley (near indie bars and restaurants). The Park Estate is quiet and handsome; the Canal Quarter is great for waterside strolls.
• Hotel search: Browse options on Hotels.com (Nottingham). For apartments and townhouses, see VRBO (Nottingham).
• Getting in: Trains from London St Pancras take ~1h40–2h; Birmingham ~1h10; Manchester ~2h. Compare times and fares on Omio Trains or Omio Buses. European flights into East Midlands (EMA), Birmingham (BHX), or Manchester (MAN) can be searched via Omio Flights. For intercontinental fares, try Kiwi.com.
• Airport transfers: EMA to Nottingham is ~40–50 minutes by Skylink bus; taxis typically ~£30–£45 depending on traffic.
• Getting around: The Nottingham Express Transit tram day ticket runs about £5–6 for unlimited rides; city walking distances are short.

Day 1 – Arrival, Old Market Square, and Lace Market

Morning: Travel to Nottingham. If you’re arriving from London, the EMR train from St Pancras takes ~1h45 (advance singles often £25–£60). Compare options on Omio Trains. Drop bags and freshen up.

Afternoon: Get your bearings in Old Market Square, one of the largest public squares in the UK, framed by Nottingham Council House and its resident stone lions. Coffee at 200 Degrees (local roastery) or Cartwheel Coffee, then stroll to the Lace Market’s handsome red‑brick mills.

Evening: Classic first-night dinner choices: Iberico World Tapas (silky pork belly, ajo blanco) or MemSaab for refined North Indian dishes and impeccable service. Nightcap at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, a sandstone‑hewn pub under the castle, or sip cocktails amid vintage décor at The Hockley Arts Club.

Day 2 – City Walk, Castle, and Robin Hood

Morning: Join the 10:30am guided walk to unlock the city’s rebellious past and smart shortcuts.

Daily Nottingham City Centre Walking Tour (10:30am)

Grab a pastry at Ugly Bread Bakery beforehand, and a post-tour flat white at The Pudding Pantry (save room for their sticky toffee pudding).

Afternoon: Head up to Nottingham Castle for galleries, city panoramas, and an essential photo with the Robin Hood Statue outside the gates. Amble down to the Castle Quarter lanes and pause at Kean’s Head for a local ale.

Evening: Book Alchemilla for a plant-forward tasting menu in a brick-vaulted space that feels subterranean and cinematic. Alternatively, go low-key with sharing plates at Bar Iberico. For drinks, try Pitcher & Piano in a converted church—great stained-glass ambience.

Day 3 – Justice Museum, City of Caves, and Wollaton Hall

Morning: Tour the National Justice Museum inside a former courthouse and gaol—interactive, surprising, and a little chilling. Walk minutes to the City of Caves to explore Nottingham’s unique underground sandstone network.

Afternoon: Taxi, bus, or rideshare to Wollaton Hall & Deer Park (15–20 minutes from the center). Roam Elizabethan halls and spot free‑roaming red and fallow deer on the lawns. Coffee and cake at the hall’s café or a picnic by the lake on sunny days.

Evening: Casual dinner at Annie’s Burger Shack (creative toppings, veggie/vegan friendly) or wood-fired pizza at Oscar & Rosie’s. Cap the night at Canalhouse, where the canal flows into the pub; it’s a classic Nottingham experience.

Day 4 – Sherwood Forest and Byron Country

Morning: Make a Robin Hood pilgrimage to Sherwood Forest. Driving takes ~50 minutes; without a car, take a train to Mansfield or a bus from Nottingham Victoria (plan with Omio Buses), then a short local bus/taxi to the visitor centre at Edwinstowe. Walk the waymarked trails to the ancient Major Oak.

Afternoon: Lunch at a village pub in Edwinstowe, then continue (easier with a car) to Newstead Abbey, Lord Byron’s atmospheric ancestral home, for gardens, lakes, and cloisters. If you’re on public transport, enjoy a longer forest ramble before returning to Nottingham.

Evening: Back in town, sample Nottingham’s curry scene at MemSaab or modern Japanese skewers at Kushi‑ya (book ahead). Nightcap under the beautiful glass dome at the Victorian Malt Cross.

Day 5 – Day Trip to Lincoln by Train

Morning: Take the direct train to Lincoln Central (~55–65 minutes; off‑peak returns often £12–£20). Check times on Omio Trains. Join a private walking tour to see the cathedral quarter, castle walls, and Steep Hill’s half‑timbered shops.

Lincoln Private Walking Tour

Afternoon: Lunch suggestions on Steep Hill: traditional British pies and mash, or a cosy tearoom for scones with clotted cream. Visit Lincoln Cathedral (one of England’s Gothic greats) and peek into the Magna Carta vault at Lincoln Castle if time allows.

Evening: Return to Nottingham for dinner at The Larder on Goosegate (seasonal British produce in an old Boots building) or mezze at Yamas. For a relaxed drink, try Junkyard for craft beers and natural wines.

Day 6 – Creative Quarter, Street Art, and a Treasure Hunt

Morning: Brunch at The Pudding Pantry (pancakes, shakshuka) or Cartwheel Coffee (excellent toasties). Browse indie makers at Sneinton Market Avenues and pop into Nottingham Contemporary for cutting‑edge exhibitions.

Afternoon: Turn the city into a playful puzzle with a self-guided treasure hunt—great for revisiting corners you’ve passed all week and spotting hidden details.

Nottingham Quest: Self Guided City Walk & Immersive Treasure Hunt

Evening: Treat yourself: nab counter seats at Kushi‑ya (smoked cod’s roe, chicken oyster skewers, miso‑caramel ice cream) or book Alchemilla if you didn’t earlier. Afterwards, try inventive cocktails at The Alchemist or a quiet pint at The Lincolnshire Poacher.

Day 7 – Final Flavors and Farewell

Morning: Doughnut run at Doughnotts or coffee near the station at 200 Degrees. Then enjoy one last guided stroll focused on Robin Hood lore and the city’s deeper history—ideal closure to the week.

Little John’s Big Tour of Nottingham

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping around Flying Horse Walk and the elegant arcades. Lunch at Bar Iberico (crispy cauliflower, octopus a la plancha) before heading to the station or airport. Trains to London are ~1h40–2h; EMA is ~40–50 minutes by bus/taxi. Check transport options on Omio Trains, Omio Buses, and, for flights, Omio Flights or Kiwi.com.

Optional or Alternative Tour Pick

If you prefer a different guided introduction early in the week, consider this fun themed quest exploring Robin Hood’s Nottingham:

Maid Marian and Robin Hood Quest Experience in Nottingham

Where to Sleep: Suggested Areas and Styles

• Lace Market & Hockley: Boutique hotels and loft-style apartments near cafes, bars, and the tram. Names to know include Lace Market Hotel and Roomzzz Aparthotel Nottingham.
• Castle & Park Estate: Leafy, quiet streets a short walk from the center. Consider Hart’s Hotel for garden views and a serene vibe.
• Canal Quarter & Station: Handy for early trains and riverside walks; look at modern, good-value chains such as Park Plaza Nottingham and Leonardo Hotel.

Search and compare on Hotels.com or find characterful apartments via VRBO.

Eating and Drinking Cheat Sheet

• Coffee & Breakfast: 200 Degrees (house roastery), Cartwheel Coffee (specialty beans and brunch), The Pudding Pantry (pancakes, puds).
• Lunch: Bar Iberico (modern tapas), Kushi‑ya (skewers and small plates), Ugly Bread Bakery (focaccia, pizza al taglio), Yamas (Greek meze).
• Dinner: Alchemilla (inventive tasting menu), MemSaab (polished Indian classics), Iberico World Tapas (romantic archways), The Cod’s Scallops (award‑winning fish & chips; short taxi from center).
• Pubs & Cocktails: Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem (historic), Canalhouse (unique canal setting), Kean’s Head (cask ales), The Hockley Arts Club and The Alchemist (creative cocktails).

Quick Transport Reference

• Trains (UK/Europe): Plan and book with Omio Trains. London–Nottingham ~1h40–2h; Birmingham–Nottingham ~1h10; Manchester–Nottingham ~2h.
• Buses: For budget routes and regional links (e.g., Sherwood area), see Omio Buses.
• Flights: European hops via Omio Flights. Long-haul options on Kiwi.com.

One week in Nottingham lets you trace Robin Hood myths, descend into ancient caves, and unwind among parks, pubs, and galleries. With a tasty table booked each night and easy day trips by train, you’ll leave knowing both the city’s stories—and its favorite snacks.

Whether you come for history or the indie spirit, Nottingham rewards slow exploration. Expect warm welcomes, walkable days, and plenty of reasons to return.