Eight things tourists should visit on a day trip to Nottingham
From exploring the caves to visiting the legendary Robin Hood statue there is so much to do on a day trip to Nottingham. The city is full to the brim of history and is home to a number of tourist destinations, such as England's oldest surviving inn which is still a thriving pub.
There is plenty to see and do in the city centre no matter what time of year you visit or how much you can afford to spend. With so much going on it can be hard to know where to start, so we have rounded up eight things that tourists should try and do on a day trip to Nottingham.
Nottingham Castle
Standing in the heart of the city is Nottingham Castle, which completed its £33m renovation in 2021. It costs £15 for an adult to visit the caslte and its grounds, but children ages 15 and under go free. Plys, once you have bought a ticket you can revisit the site unlimited times for 12 months. Within the Norman castle, visitors can explore the museum and galleries, which are full of fine art, lace and information on Robin Hood. There are a number of interactive and immersive displays which makes it a great attraction for the whole family, and there is also a visitor centre, cafe and shop on site. For an extra £5 per person you can also take a cave tour at the castle to visit Mortimer’s hole or King David’s Dungeon.
Robin Hood statue
Right outside of the castle grounds is the famous Robin Hood statue, which is free to visit. The legendary outlaw is well known around the world and since the statue is just a six-minute walk from Old Market Square, and a ten-minute walk from Nottingham Train Station or the Victoria Shopping Centre, it is definitely worth a visit. You could take a lovely group photo with the statue or opt for the popular pose of pulling a bow and arrow.
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
Just around the corner from the statue and castle you will find a whole range of popular pubs and cafes, but the one to look out for is a little further down the road. As you follow around the hill that the castle is on, you will come across Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem. This pub was built in 1189 into the stone caves and has a charming, wonky interior. The building is England's oldest surviving inn, and is rumoured to house a few ghosts. As well as an interesting past, the pub also has fantastic food, a popular beer garden and is family-friendly.
City of Caves
Speaking of caves, another thing Nottingham is famous for is what lies beneath the city. There is an impressive network of caves carved out of sandstone that have had various uses over the years, such as public house cellars, an air raid shelter or even a tannery. The City of Caves offers tours of the largest publicly available section of the Nottingham network, which has more than 800 caves in total. The organisation has recently been awarded with a Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award for 2024, with adult tickets costing £8.75. Although there are discounted rates for students, those over 60.
National Justice Museum
Located on High Pavement you will find the National Justice Museum, which is housed in a former Victorian courtroom, prison and police station. This makes it a unique historic site where someone could have been arrested, tried, sentenced and then executed all in one place. There are some fantastic tours and exhibits at the museum, with dressed-up staff members located across the site to bring it back to life. Whilst you could book a ticket just for the museum you could buy a joint ticket for a little bit more which would allow you to visit the museum and City of Caves. This costs £17.60 for an adult, £13.15 for a child or £15.40 for a concession.
Nottingham Contemporary
If you have a passion for art and history but are on a tight budget for the day then do not worry as the Nottingham Contemporary is free to visit. The exhibitions are open every day except Mondays, and are open until 6pm in the week and 5pm on weekends. It is one of the largest contemporary art galleries in the UK, and often hosts new exhibits, special events and family activities. It's always a good idea to check its website in advance to see what the current and upcoming exhibits are, as well as any special events that might be planned.
National Ice Centre
Ever since Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean revolutionized ice skating at the 1984 Winter Olympics, Nottingham has been a city known for ice skating. The skating duo are from Nottingham and in April 2000 the National Ice Centre was opened in the city. You can skate here any day of the week, whether you just want to have fun, take lessons, join a club, or even take part in a UV paint party on the ice. Ticket prices depend on age and if you need equipment or not, but there are plenty of discounts available for families, students and Blue Light Card holders.
Old Market Square
Last but not least is Old Market Square. It is almost impossible to visit Nottingham and not end up in the square at one point or another. It is surrounded by dozens of popular shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as several bus stops and its own tram stop. Not only is it a lovely place to sit and have lunch, but the square is also where the city holds most of its events. From the classic Nottingham Beach over the summer holidays to its own Winter Wonderland at the end of the year, there are regular events taking place. This includes markets and festivals throughout the year.