Situated right at the heart of the country, Nottingham is a vibrant city in which to work, study, live, play and invest. Rich in opportunities, culture and style, the City is constantly changing and yet retains it balance between old and new. Nottinghamshire is a favourite destination for students, both from the UK and overseas. The reputation of its colleges and universities is first class, and the county has a great deal to offer students, visitors and residents alike.

Heritage

Nottinghamshire is perhaps best known as the home of the legendary Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest, but the county's heritage extends far beyond the Merry Men! The City's treasures also include Wollaton Hall an Elizabethan stately home complete with a 500-acre deer park; Byron's ancestral home, Newstead Abbey and D.H.Lawrence’s birthplace. Nottingham also boasts its own castle, built by William the Conqueror. The historic Lace Market still retains the ornate warehouses built by the Victorian lace barons, one of which is now home to New College Nottingham's City Campus. Every October sees the Goose Fair come to Nottingham, a tradition that goes back over 700 years! The Goose Fair is now an enormous funfair, but historically it was a fair where farmers sold their geese at market and a chance for the people of Nottingham to celebrate St. Matthew's Day. Today Goose Fair is held on the Forest Recreation Ground to the north of the Old Market Square.

Arts & Culture

Nottingham has a thriving arts and cultural scene. Nottingham Castle houses the first municipal museum and art gallery to be established outside London, whilst the Angel Row, Bonington and Djanogly Galleries showcase influential artists. The Lakeside Centre hosts art, music, comedy and drama, including the Notts Dance Festival. The City boasts two major theatres that attract some of the biggest names and shows: the Theatre Royal is a traditional Victorian theatre; and the Nottingham Playhouse is renowned for innovative drama. The Royal Concert Hall is a versatile venue staging pop, rock and classical concerts, opera, ballet, comedy and dance; and the cica 9,500-capacity Nottingham Arena and National Ice Centre attracts some of the world's finest performers. The Royal Philharmonic, Opera North and National Film Theatre all have their regional bases in Nottingham.

Nightlife

With a great reputation for its nightlife, Nottingham attracts people from all over the country eager to experience the buzzing mix of clubs, bars, pubs and restaurants. There is an ever-increasing array of cafe bars and clubs within the historic Lace Market and Hockley areas, whilst on the opposite side of the City Centre, the re-developed Castle Wharf area is proving to be a popular haunt.

Dining out / Cuisine

Benefiting from the lively mix of cultures attracted to Nottingham, the City boasts a wealth of restaurants and cuisines. From traditional English to high class French, to Thai, Vegetarian, Japanese and many more, you can't fail to find a meal to suit your appetite!

Shopping

Nottingham is one of the country's most stylish cities, and a first choice for clothing companies expanding outside London. Home of Paul Smith one of fashion's most famous figures, Nottingham combines all the main High Street stores with designer boutiques and unique character shops.

Sport

With cricket at Trent Bridge, an International Tennis Centre, the National Ice Centre, motor racing at Donnington Park, the National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepoint, and Nottingham Forest and Notts County Football Clubs, Nottinghamshire really is a major sporting centre!

Nottinghamshire also offers an extensive range of Leisure and fitness centres, swimming pools and sporting clubs and societies.

Enterprise

Major organisations such as Capital One and the Inland Revenue have relocated to Nottingham in recent years, and Boots, Speedo and Experian are well-established in the City.

The Countryside

Eastwards from the City lies the tranquil Vale of Belvoir with the Lincolnshire Wolds beyond. To the west lie the rolling hills of the Peak District, a regular haunt of ramblers walking the Pennine Way. The north-west is home to the ancient oak woodland of Sherwood Forest, and to the south can be found the quiet fields and farmlands of Rutland. You don't have to travel far to find peace and quiet in areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Education

The reputations of Nottingham University and Nottingham Trent University attract a large number of students to Nottingham, but in addition Nottingham has several colleges offering a wide range of exciting further and higher education courses. New College Nottingham is a leading light in the City's education sector providing opportunities to over 30,000 students each year.

Transport

The Nottingham Express Transit (NET) Tram carries passengers from Hucknall to the City centre. There are 23 stops along the route, taking in six Park and Ride sites (Hucknall, Bulwell, Moor Bridge, Phoenix Park, Wilkinson Street and The Forest). In the city centre, there are stops at Royal Centre (for the Theatre Royal, Royal Concert Hall and The Cornerhouse), Old Market Square, in the heart of Nottingham and Lace Market, for the National Ice Centre and Hockley. The trams are fast, frequent and make it easy for disabled users to embark and disembark. The NET system is integrated with Nottingham City Transport (NCT) buses offering bus/tram tickets, EasyRider smartcards and link bus routes. Conductors are on board every tram to take fares and provide assistance.

Nottingham City Centre is served by NCT buses from all Nottingham suburbs, and several other bus companies run services from the outlying towns and villages. If you want to travel further afield, East Midland Trains and London Midland run train services throughout the Midlands and beyond.

East Midlands Airport is the region's international airport, with domestic and international flights to many destinations.

Places of Interest

• Centreparcs
• City of Caves
• Galleries of Justice
• Greens Mill & Science Centre
• Newstead Abbey
• Papplewick Pumping Station
• Royal Centre Nottingham
• Rufford Craft Centre
• Sherwood Forest Country Park
• Wollaton Hall
• Nottingham Castle
• Nottingham Industrial Museum
• Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem (Oldest Pub in England)
• Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery

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