Old Market Square in the heart of Nottingham will feature heavily in your trip to the city. Whether passing through, meeting friends or hopping on the city trams, this bustling piazza is often centre stage for events, celebrations and chance meetings. On reaching this vast quadrangle, you could easily find yourself amidst a fairground or festival – in fact, for the summer of 2009 it was transformed into a beach – no mean feat for a city 75 miles from the sea.
A pair of stone lions sits proudly either side of the grand council building. Meeting at the left lion in particular has become quite a tradition. If you manage to avert your gaze from these sedentary big cats, you’ll notice the building’s distinctive dome which houses ‘Little John’, a bell with a particularly gravelly tone and a 7-mile range. Best sample this racket before you sample the bevy of watering holes nearby.
First port of call for an instant shot of nostalgia is the Bell Inn. This 15th-century coaching hostelry is one of the UK’s oldest pubs. Look for its grand Georgian frontage and row of leprosy windows where folklore claims customers had their fingers counted before being allowed to enter. The pub cellars are natural underground caves – ideal for chilling a welcome pint to perfection.
Just up the road from a commemorative statue of local legend Brian Clough is the Centre for Contemporary Art, a pocket of culture amongst a throng of activity. Promising to keep its exhibitions free of charge, take the opportunity to seize a rare tranquil moment.
If you’re planning to splash the cash, sample some Old Market wares before hot-footing it to the city’s niche retail districts. Take a jaunt around the spectacular Exchange Arcade and browse the chic boutiques of Flying Horse Walk.
If all the mingling has whetted your appetite, there are many restaurants a mere stone’s throw away. Nottingham has a reputation for its Indian cuisine, so sample 4550 Miles from Delhi, a lively Indian eatery where chefs cook up a feast an open theatre kitchen. Or try the ultra-modern Curry Lounge with its massive fibre optic chandeliers a stark contrast to its traditional dishes. Alternatively, visit the Alley Café Bar tucked away in a courtyard for relaxed, arty vegetarian food serenaded by guest DJs.
Then stroll to Cucamara, a cocktail bar that has certainly perfected its recipes. This place has no dress code and ladles of drinks offers. Bar Humbug promises a serene beer garden in the heart of the city, while the Malt Cross, situated in an old Victorian Music Hall, adds a slosh of culture to your evening pitcher. In a stark contrast to some of its Lace Market neighbours, the Cookie Club brings indie anthems, funk and retro tunes and pop and rock sounds to a 500-strong throng.
Although your visit to Nottingham will lead you around an endless warren of destinations, Old Market Square will be the hub of your activities – whether passing time in the afternoon or staggering past in the early hours.
John Tarr is a copywriter for Stag Weekends. Learn more at http://www.stagweekends.co.uk.
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