How to Spend a Weekend in Nottingham: Your 2 Day Itinerary + City Guide

Planning a UK city break? Spend a weekend in Nottingham for history, shopping, nightlife and more than a little bit of Robin Hood lore!

I have a lot of love for the city of Nottingham. I visit multiple times a year – my parents and brother moved there when I was in my 20s, and I have friends in the city that I try and see regularly. However, it’s only been relatively recently that I’ve visited some of the city’s most popular attractions.

Nottingham itself is a really interesting city, with loads of history and buzzing city streets. It’s compact but with plenty to do, which is why I think it makes an ideal weekend city break in the UK. In this guide, check out the top things to do in Nottingham, plus great places to eat, drink and stay!

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Nottingham Weekend Itinerary: Day 1

For the perfect weekend in Nottingham, this two day itinerary hits all the highlights!

Morning: City Centre, Old Market Square & Lace Market

On your first morning, get acquainted with Nottingham’s historical city centre! You could join a Nottingham walking tour with a local guide; or simply wander around soaking up the winding streets and impressive architecture.

A few points of interest not to be missed on your Nottingham weekend walk:

• Old Market Square: A large, open city square with water fountains and stone lion statues.
• The Lace Market: See the Victorian buildings in this historical area of Nottingham, once the centre of the world’s lace industry.
• St Mary’s Church: The oldest parish church in Nottingham, with stunning Gothic-style medieval architecture.
• Bridlesmith Gate: A stylish pedestrianised streets with independent and designer boutiques.
• Nottingham Contemporary: If you have time left over for some art, Nottingham Contemporary is one of the largest contemporary art galleries in the UK, and entrance is free!

Afternoon: Nottingham Castle and City of Caves

Built in 1068 during the reign of William the Conqueror, Nottingham Castle is an essential piece of the city’s history. Having undergone multiple transformations since the original castle was built, the castle reopened in 2021 as a tourist attraction.

Inside, you’ll find art and craft galleries, although my personal favourite section is the Rebellion Gallery, an immersive exhibit exploring unrest in Nottingham over the last 1000 years. There’s also a Robin Hood Adventures gallery with interactive games, including a digital archery competition!

Opening Times: 11am-4pm
Admission Fee: £15 – free entry for children aged 15 and under

The City Of Caves

Beneath the streets of Nottingham lies a hidden history, in a network of over 800 manmade sandstone caves. Dating back as far as 1270, the caves have been used for various purposes throughout the ages, from a medieval tannery to a WW2 air raid shelter.

Entry to the City of Caves is timed, so it’s recommended you book in advance when visiting. You could also switch this activity with the National Justice Museum on Day 2, as both open at 10am.

Opening Times: 10am-5pm
Admission Fee: £8.75 (adult), £7.65 (child aged 5-17, students and over 60s)

Budget Travel Tip: You can buy a joint ticket for National Justice Museum and City of Caves for £17.60 (adult price), for a saving of £3.20 on buying seperately.

Evening: The UK’s Oldest Pub

In the evening, you’ll experience the buzz of Nottingham nightlife.

You absolutely can’t spend a weekend in Nottingham without visiting this pub! Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is the oldest pub in England, dating back to 1189AD. Crooked walls, low ceilings and wonky floors, it’s the perfect place to indulge in a bit of history while having some evening drinks.

Nottingham Weekend Itinerary: Day 2

On your second morning, take it easy and enjoy breakfast or brunch before ticking off two more must-see Nottingham attractions.

Morning: National Justice Museum

At the site of a former court, prison and police station, you can explore the history of the UK’s justice system at the National Justice Museum. The Grade II listed Shire Hall is home to original courtrooms, cells, and the gallows used for public executions up until 1864. Explore exhibits on crime and punishment throughout the ages and take part in a Georgian England trial re-enactment.

Opening Times: 10am-4pm
Admission Fee: £12.05 (adult), £8.75 (child aged 5-17), £10.95 (students and over 60s) – save £3.20 with a National Museum of Justice combination ticket

Afternoon: Wollaton Hall & Deer Park

In the afternoon, catch the bus to Wollaton Hall & Deer Park.

Batman fans may recognise Wollaton Hall – it was used as a filming location for Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises! Inside, you won’t find any comic book superheroes, but you WILL find a fascinating Natural History Musuem, home to 750,000 specimens including the first real T-Rex skeleton to be exhibited in the UK for over a century.

The outside of Wollaton Hall is equally spectacular, surrounded 500 acres of parkland. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in Wollaton Park over the years (including using it as an away-from-home running route!) and it’s a beautiful place to take a walk in nature. Herds of deer wander freely, with around 200 deer calling the park home.

The 25-acre Wollaton Lake has a beautiful, paved walking path around the edge, where you can see swans, ducks and a variety of bird species amongst the trees. On the pathway, keep an eye out for the false bridge, which was once a boathouse.

Opening Times: 10am-4pm
Admission Fee: Free

Evening: Enjoy Nottingham by night!

As evening sets in, take the bus back into the City Centre to enjoy your final evening. Choose from the city’s numerous restaurants for a meal, take a seat in a cosy pub, or simply enjoy the ambience of Nottingham by night.

More things to do in Nottingham

Spending more than two days in Nottingham or want to switch up your itinerary? Check out more things to do in and around Nottingham:

Museum of Curiosities

Like your travel a little on the macabre side? The Museum of Curiosities, formerly known as the Haunted Museum, offers four floors of spooky artefacts. From taxidermy and human skulls to ‘haunted’ objects from around the world, it’s a fascinating spot for lovers of the weird and…wonderful?

Opening Times: 11am-6pm (closed Mondays)
Admission Fee: £8

Museum of Nottingham Life

Explore the social history of Nottingham in these 17th century cottages, recreating rooms from across the eras of the city’s history. An immersive experience of daily life, exhibits include a schoolroom and Victorian kitchen.

Opening Times: 11am-6pm (closed Mondays)
Admission Fee: £2.50 (included with Nottingham Castle ticket)

Nottingham Industrial Museum

Within the grounds of Wollaton Hall, discover Nottingham’s industrial heritage and history of innovation. The museum features a collection of historic steam engines, as well as lace making machinery and coal mining equipment.

Opening Times: Thu, Sat & Sun 11am-4pm
Admission Fee: £4

Sherwood Forest

The legend of Robin Hood reigns supreme in Nottingham, due to its close proximity to Sherwood Forest, the home of the folklore hero. This ancient forest area is just under an hour’s drive from the city centre, offering woodland walks, wildlife spotting opportunities, ruins and the 19th century Thoresby Hall.

Weekend in Nottingham Travel Guide

Everything you need to know about planning your weekend in Nottingham!

How long should I spend in Nottingham?

Two days is an ideal amount of time to explore Nottingham, which makes it perfect for a UK weekend break!

If you’re spending more time in the Midlands, you could also check out Sherwood Forest, Nottingham’s market towns, or the cities of Birmingham and Sheffield.

When’s the best time to visit Nottingham?

As a typical English city, the weather in Nottingham can be unpredictable at best. During the summer months of June – August, you’ll likely encounter warmer temperatures, but be prepared for the summer showers the UK does so well! Nottingham is a family-friendly city, so visiting during the UK school summer holidays can mean attractions are very busy.

During the winter months from November – February, temperatures can drop well into single digits. While it may not get quite as cold as northern England or Scotland, expect to need a coat if you visit at this time! However, from late November into December, the city is full of festive charm.

My personal favourite times to visit Nottingham are during the in-between Spring and Autumn seasons, when the weather is usually mild.

How to get to Nottingham

Conveniently located in the centre of the UK (that’s why they call it ‘the Midlands’), Nottingham is easily accessible by car, train, bus or plane.

By car

Nottingham is close to the M1 Motorway, which runs from London to Leeds. For the city centre, take exit 24 from the south, or exit 26 from the north.

Parking in Nottingham can be quite busy during peak times (like weekends), so it could be worth looking for a hotel that offers parking. We’ve also used JustPark to find a parking space. If you’re travelling in a camper van or caravan, there are some motorhome parks in the surrounding areas.

By train

Taking the train to Nottingham is my usual way of getting there, and is pretty convenient from most major cities in the UK.

• London – Nottingham – from 1hr 30min
• Manchester – Nottingham – from 1hr 43min
• Edinburgh – Nottingham – from 6hr 46min

By bus

National Express run coach services to Nottingham from major UK cities. This is usually the cheapest option, but takes longer than the train – the journey from London Victoria takes around 3hrs 15min.

By plane

East Midlands Airport is the closest airport to Nottingham. The 13 mile drive to the city centre takes around 20 minutes (traffic permitting!). Flights to EMA operate from various European destinations, including Spain, the Canary Islands, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Getting around Nottingham

Nottingham City Centre is small and walkable, and most places on this weekend itinerary can be accessed on foot.

If you’re heading to Wollaton Park, regular bus services run from Nottingham Cathedral to Wollaton Park, which takes around 10-15 minutes and costs £2 each way.

Nottingham also has a tram service that runs through the centre of the city. A single ride costs £3.30, and an adult day ticket costs £5.40.

Where to stay in Nottingham

Nottingham has plenty of hotels to base yourself in for a weekend stay. While international hotel chains have a strong presence, there are also some great independent boutique hotels to be found!

• Mama’s Inn Boutique Guest House is a characterful and cosy guesthouse just over 1km from the city centre. Each room’s decor is inspired by cities around the world
• The Lace Market Hotel is a favourite for its unique bedrooms in the city’s Lace Market district. Enjoy breakfast in the cosy Cock & Hoop Pub, or take a short walk for a wealth of restaurants and bars right on your doorstep.
• Mercure Nottingham City Centre is a 4* hotel located in a 1822 historic building.
• For solo and budget travellers, Igloo Hybrid Hostel offers dorm beds and private rooms.

Where to eat in Nottingham

From casual dining to something a bit more fancy

These are some of my favourites:

• Bustler Market: This lively street food market has a selection of vendors to choose from, including pizza, Thai food and burgers.
• Cosy Club: Delicious comfort food in a stunning high-ceilinged building with intricate period features.
• Bunk: If you love chicken wings and cocktails, the underground neon paradise of Bunk is for you! (vegetarian and vegan options available!)

Nightlife in Nottingham

Nottingham has tons of cool pubs and bars to spend your evenings in, whether you’re up for full-on partying or a chilled out time. A favourite of mine is the Pit & Pendulum, with epic gothic-style decor and ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ themed cocktails.

Nottingham definitely has a thriving alternative scene, with plenty of pubs playing rock, metal and punk music. Check out the listings at Rock City or the Rescue Rooms for the latest live music shows.

More UK Weekend Breaks:

• A Weekend in Edinburgh: The Perfect 2 Day Edinburgh Itinerary & Travel Guide
• A Weekend Trip to Portsmouth: What To Do, See and Eat
• How To Plan The Perfect Stratford upon Avon Weekend Break
• Pottery & Primates: The Best Things To Do in Stoke-On-Trent
• A Weekend in Brighton: Where To Eat And Explore
• A Weekend in Bristol