Hotels in Nottingham, the United Kingdom

Best time to visit Nottingham

Nottingham’s average temperature at any time of the year is less than 22 degrees Celsius. January is the coldest month when the temperature may drop to 0 degrees Celsius while July is the warmest month. From April – August, the city hosts a number of festivals and events, and the average temperature is between 14 – 20 degrees Celsius. This is a pleasant time to explore the city on foot without wanting to frequently step indoors for some warmth. During the rest of the year, particularly from November – March, you will need to bring warm clothing and be prepared for rain, fog, as well as snow. Remember, that in Nottingham, it rains all year round, so keep an umbrella and rain boots handy at all times.

Getting around Nottingham

Nottingham is ideal for exploring on foot or by bike, especially during the relatively warmer months of the year. However, the city also has an efficient public transport system, so getting around in Nottingham is quite easy. The Nottingham Express Transit (NET) operated trams connect all popular attractions and surrounding areas. Pick up a City s‘HOP’ ticket that offers a single trip for just £1.00 GBP across the 5 City Centre stops, while for the rest of the network, a single trip ticket costs £1.70 GBP. Nottingham City Transport also operates buses within and around the city, and the local fare is £1.30 GBP for a single journey within the listed 11 zones. East Midland Trains operate train services in and around Nottingham, and this is a convenient option if you are heading to the surrounding regions. You can also hire a Citycard Cycle from any of the docking stations across the city for £1.00 GBP per hour, up to a maximum of £4.00 GBP per day. It is also possible to get a 1-day bike hire for just £2.00 GBP, but only from the Nottingham Tourism Information Centre. Taxis are easily available all over the city. If you want complete freedom and flexibility to explore Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, then look for some great deals on car rentals with momondo.

Best places to stay in Nottingham

With its origins dating back to 600 AD, Nottingham is not just a place in the legendary tales of Robin Hood, his Merry Men and Sherwood Forest. The city offers world-class live performances and spectator sports, a slew of local festivals and events, a cutting-edge art scene, and plenty of other activities and attractions. The city is also the birthplace of the famous HP sauce, and has served as an inspiring home to many literary greats such as Lord Byron, and D. H. Lawrence.

Nottingham City Centre

The hub of the city’s administrative offices, city council, and various courts, as well as the main train station and bus station, this area does not feature too many accommodation options but has plenty of eateries and cafés. Stay at The Bentinck Hotel, which offers simple, comfortable rooms, and is a 2-minute walk from the bus and train stations.

Standard Hill

Standard Hill is the area where you will find the hill-top Nottingham Castle as well as UK’s oldest pub, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. Stay at the most peculiarly decorated St. James Hotel which features a strange yet stylish décor, and is located right next to the castle and the pub.

Lace Market / Hockley

Also called the ‘Creative Quarter’ of Nottingham, the Lace Market area features several fine dining options, and attracts a slightly mature audience. Close by, you have the Hockley area, also called the ‘Bohemian Quarter’. This posh neighbourhood with upmarket eateries is home to various alternative shops for fashion, music, and furnishings. Stay in the unique and colourful rooms of the Lace Market Hotel set inside a lavish Georgian townhouse. It is only a 2-minute walk to the main shopping centre, cafés, and bars. Or enjoy contemporary, boutique accommodation at the Mercure Nottingham City Centre Hotel which features fine Georgian architecture and luxuriously furnished rooms.

Trinity Square / The Cornerhouse

The Trinity Square area boasts of eclectic restaurants, cafés, and bars. The lion statues in the area are a popular meet up spot for locals and tourists alike. Consider the Hilton Nottingham hotel, located in a redbrick Victorian building on Milton Street, just a 4-minute walk from the Theatre Royal.

Chapel Bar

The Chapel Bar area is Nottingham’s financial district and has a number of trendy restaurants and cafés. Enjoy cosy rooms and a comfortable stay at the Park Plaza hotel on Maid Marian Way. Or stay at the Hart’s Hotel & Restaurant and enjoy modern upscale rooms, stunning gardens, and splendid city views.

Nottingham outskirts

There are several Victorian country houses and Bed and Breakfast options if you wish to stay within close proximity of the city and still enjoy tranquil, countryside accommodation. Stay in ornately decorated rooms at Colwick Hall hotel, the ancestral home of Lord Byron. This plush Georgian country house hotel is located next to the Nottingham Racecourse, just 5-kilometres from Nottingham City Centre.

Cheap hotels in Nottingham

There are several cheap accommodation options in Nottingham. For top quality, centrally located dorm rooms, try the quirky and colourful, Igloo Hybrid hostel at Eldon Chambers. On Derby Street, within easy walking distance of eating, shopping and nightlife, you have The Strathdon Hotel, Nottingham, which offers basic rooms at budget prices. You can also look at simple 1 or 2 bedroom serviced apartments of 16 Pilcher Gate, located in the historic Lace Market district. Near Chapel Bar area, stay at the Premier Inn Nottingham City Centre (Chapel Bar) hotel, within walking distance of several popular sites. Close to Nottingham Castle, you can enjoy the comfortable rooms of Britannia Nottingham Hotel.

Home to the heroic ‘hooded man’, an underground maze of caves, tunnels and history, a rocking music scene, and an exquisite lace heritage, there is much to see and do in Nottingham. While the city is known as a weekend break destination, if you are visiting Nottingham for the first time, just 1 day may not be enough to fully experience what the city offers. Here are some activities that you can put at the top of your itinerary.

• Visit the Nottingham Castle, perched atop a 130-foot high cliff, and enjoy excellent views of the city below. Immerse yourself in the history of the castle and admire a large collection of modern British and European art.
• Admire the intricate design and architecture of the 150-year old Cathedral Church of St. Barnabas, also called the Nottingham Cathedral.
• Take the Nottingham Robin Hood Town Tour that offers an exciting look into the legend of Robin Hood, and takes you on a journey through the various places associated with the heroic hooded outlaw’s story. This is a definite must-do if you are visiting Nottingham for the first time!
• Visit the City of Caves, a historic site that features a network of caves carved out of sandstone. This tour takes you on an archaeological journey along the hidden paths beneath the main city, and is a must-do activity if you are visiting Nottingham for the first time.
• Spend time at The Arboretum, the only park in Nottingham. You can walk along the trails, explore heritage features, enjoy a picnic, or attend some of the popular summer-time events held at the park.
• Watch a drama or musical at the Nottingham Playhouse theatre, one of the leading theatres in the UK since its opening in 1948.
• Drop in at the Flying Horse Walk Shopping Centre that boasts of several designer boutiques, an art gallery, and a craft beer shop in the heart of the city centre.
• Admire contemporary art at the Nottingham Contemporary in the Lace Market area.
• About 30 minutes outside the city, visit Newstead Abbey, the beautiful ancestral home of the famous romantic poet Lord Byron, set in more than 300-acres of parkland.
• On the outskirts of the city, visit Wollaton Hall & Park, a spectacular Elizabethen mansion that is set within a 500-acre deer park and is home to the Nottingham Natural History Museum.
• Enjoy a tasty pint of real ale and a delectable menu at the oldest pub in UK, the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem.
• Attend one of the many festivals that the city hosts, such as the Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival, The Bramley Apple Festival, the Nottingham Poetry Festival, and the Rockingham Music Festival, amongst many others.