A guide to Nottingham and NTU
A guide to Nottingham and NTU
You’re here – now what? Nottingham is a city steeped with potential things to see and do, with places to visit for food, drinks, or shopping on near every corner.
If you find yourself less than keen to cook up breakfast or lunch, just know that you’re never far from a café that’s bound to suit your taste. Aside from the many chain coffee shops dotted around the city centre (your typical fare), feel free to pack your books and head to the NTU Boots Library, where you’ll be able to get a bite to eat or a hot drink from the café while you work.
Alternatively, take a short walk just beyond Market Square to head into the vibrant Hockley area, where you can have a browse of what the various vintage clothing stores have to offer before grabbing a good old chai latte at Kigali Coffee. If sustainable fashion is your thing, taking a gander ‘round the city centre will allow you to spot multiple White Rose charity shops which work in line with the Aegis Trust, which works to prevent mass atrocities worldwide.
It’s the afternoon and you’ve just spent half the day lugging your belongings up the stairs of your new accommodation; luckily, a scenic slice of peace and quiet is never too far away, as Nottingham boasts a selection of parks and walking routes. For those based nearby to the Newton building or the NTSU, the Arboretum on Waverly Street is a stone’s throw away. This beautiful, historic space is Nottingham’s oldest public park, as well as the one most easily accessible from the bustling city centre. Take a moment to appreciate the winding tree-lined paths and sweeping lawns; with any luck, you’ll be seeing fleets of tiny ducklings in the pond in springtime.
Alternatively, you can take a short bus ride beyond the city centre to find yourself at Wollaton Park; with over 200 deer roaming the vast parkland, it is easy to spend the day deer-spotting or admiring the local wildlife near the stunning lake. Heading uphill from Market Square toward the Castle makes for a lovely walk, but if you fancy a sit-down with a quirky twist you could pop into the Kitty Café on Friar Lane – anyone with a dislike of cats would be best advised to sit this one out.
Once it begins dropping dark, you’re sure to wonder what evening activities the city has to offer. Fortunately, even without Google Maps or a handy online guide, it is incredibly easy to find somewhere to spend your night. You can head down to Rock City for live music gigs year-round as well as club nights every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Having first hosted The Undertones in 1980, the venue has boasted performances from a wide range of artists since, from Ozzy Osbourne to The Cure.
If a quiet night of cocktails is more to your liking, you’re sure to find something right up your street among Nottingham’s wide variety of cocktail bars. With two floors open to the public (and a top floor available for hire as a private space, though this may sit just a touch outside of a student budget,) the Hockley Arts Club is a vivid and richly decorated spot perfect for a night of drinks and conversation.
Only a short walk away from here is Boilermaker; even if its intentionally obscured entrance makes it difficult to spot during a daytime stroll, the queue growing outside on a busy night means that with just a clue here or there you are bound to find your way. Some nights, though, you can’t beat a lively night at Wetherspoons – heading towards Peel Street will mean you’re right on your way to the Gooseberry Bush for a pint (or two, or three) with your mates.
By Maja Borciuch
Feature Image: Unsplash
Image Credit 1: Maja Borciuch
Image Credit 2: Boilermaker Facebook page
