today’s first city guide takes us to great britain on a thrip through nottingham. written by d*s reader and nottingham local, laura millward, the guide is full of great design’/craft/art destinations, commentary on the city as a whole, and details about nottingham’s notable exports (dh lawrence, paul smith and jonathan glazer, among others). i hope you’ll enjoy the guide if you live in the area or are planning a trip abroad this summer. click here for the full guide. [thanks, laura!]

I moved to Nottingham two years ago when I got a job here at the local newspaper. Since then I’ve discovered so many little shops and great cafes, I’m excited to share them with everyone on Design Sponge!

As well as being the home of Robin Hood, Nottingham is a very creative city. Some of its most famous exports include author DH Lawrence, renowned fashion designer Paul Smith, and graduates of its university include noted film director Jonathan Glazer and more recently illustrator Jon Burgerman.

Nottingham has many cultural attractions, including the Castle, the historic Lace Market area and the Major Oak in the heart of Sherwood Forest, famous for being the hiding place of Robin Hood and his band of Merrie Men!

My favorite part of the city center is probably the Lace Market and adjoining area of Hockley. Hockley is known as the “arty” side of town and there are many quirky shops and great restaurants here, as well as two independent cinemas which help make this part of town all the more lively and interesting to wander round.

Nottingham is listed in the top 5 British shopping destinations and there are lots of unique shops here, some of which I have listed below. Let me know if there’s any I’ve missed!

SHOPS

Gifts

ATOMIC GIFTS (Exchange Arcade, Nottingham)
This great little gift-shop includes many unusual items, design books and moomins mugs as well as some fun birthday cards and wrapping paper. There is also an Atomic Interiors shop situated in Plumptre Square selling wonderful designer furniture, lighting and quirky bookshelves.

THE TOKENHOUSE (39- 41 Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham)
This is my favourite gift shop as it has a brilliant range of cards, wrapping paper and children’s toys. It also has a wide selection of Emma Bridgewater pottery.

STUFF & CO (1 Heathcoat Street, NG1 3AF)
A host of great gifts and goodies can be found inside, including lomography cameras, handmade jewelry and clocks as well as handmade cards and other gifts.

Vintage / Clothing

DAPHNE’S HANDBAG (67 Mansfield Road, Nottingham)
If you visit Nottingham make sure to take a wander up Mansfield Road. There are many unusual shops up here including Daphne’s Handbag which is a treasure trove of vintage homeware, furniture, jewellery and other odds and ends dating from the sixties onwards.

THE VINTAGE WAREHOUSE (82-84 Lower Parliament Street)
Only recently opened, literally a warehouse full of vintage shoes and clothing. You may have to rummage through to find a gem but that’s part of the fun.

WILD CLOTHING (4–6 Broad St, Nottingham, NG1 3AL)
Wild and its new sister shop, Wilder, stock the usual vintage clothing, but you can often find pretty summer dresses on the racks at the back and you may spot the odd indie band member buying pumps while you’re in there.

Home

LUNA (139 Lower Parliament St NG1 1EE)
Luna specializes in original homeware, lighting, telephones and other items, check their website for new items each week.

Arts & Crafts

THE BEAD SHOP, (7 Market Street, Nottingham, NG1 6HY)
A beautiful array of all the beads you could think of!

THE ARTS ORGANIZATION, (21 Station Street, NG2)
Situated next to the train station, this gallery and tea bar holds evening classes in dance and life drawing as well as regular workshops and exhibitions. There is also a darkroom available to the local community which can be hired hourly or by the day. A regular craft fair is held here on the first Saturday of each month where local designers can sell hand-crafted goods.

Food, Tea & Coffee

LEE ROSY’S TEA SHOP (17 Broad Street, NG1 3AJ)
If, like me, you are more of a tea drinker than a coffee fan, Lee Rosy’s is a must for relaxing with a cuppa after a hard day’s work (or shopping!) It also has some tempting home made cakes and often hosts some great little bands as well. Opens 10.30am til 6pm Sundays, 10 - 8pm Mon-Wed and 10am til 10pm Thurs-Saturday, free wireless internet.

FADE CAFE BAR (171 Mansfield Rd Nottingham, NG1 3FR)
Also known as “The Hard to Find Cafe,” it is in fact fairly easy to find this eaterie if you venture up Mansfield Road and it’s well worth it for the laid back atmosphere and friendly staff. Some great food options and unusual beer choices help make this place a favorite amongst those who’ve discovered it.

GUSTO DELICATESSEN (Gedling St Nottingham, NG1 1DS)
This Italian Deli has some brilliant fresh foods including pizzas made daily as well as a cheese and meat counter and lots of fresh olives and pesto. There is also a restaurant next door which does a Spaghetti night on a Saturday.

KAYAL RESTAURANT (8 Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1 3AL)
This restaurant, specializing in South Indian cuisine, has been busy ever since it opened up last year. With unusual dishes to try such as deep fried banana slices, it’s worth a trip and the prices are also very reasonable.

Vegetarian

THE ALLEY CAFE BAR (Cannon Court, Long Row West, Nottingham, NG1 6JE)
Quite hard to find as it is literally up an alley off the Market Square, the Alley Cafe has a long list of vegetarian and vegan meals and sandwiches on its menu. Can get quite busy during the weekends due to its size but worth a visit, and opens late with DJs playing on Thursday-Saturdays.

SQUEEK (23-25 Heathcoat St, Nottingham, NG1 3AG)
This restaurant, catering for veggies and vegans, has regularly changing menus with 4 or 5 choices and is a hit with veggies and meat eaters alike.

THE BROADWAY CAFE BAR (14 - 18 Broad Street; Nottingham; NG1 3AL)
I put this under the vegetarian section as it always has tasty veggie/vegan choices on the menu, but all the food on offer is brilliant and changes nightly. Menu includes pizza, tapas and tasty halloumi baguettes.

Pubs

YE OLDE TRIP TO JERUSALEM (Brewhouse Yard)
Any visitor to Nottingham should make sure they have a pint at Ye Olde Trip, situated at the bottom of the hill leading up to the Castle. The pub claims to be the oldest in the world, dating back to 1189AD.

THE MALT CROSS (16 St James St, Nottingham)
This cafe bar is situated in an old Victorian Music Hall which makes it a lovely location for a drink, meal or to watch live music.

THE ORANGE TREE (Shakespeare St, Nottingham)
A lively pub serving lovely cocktails, with live music every 1st Saturday of the month.

Other Attractions

THE CASTLE Friar Lane (Off Maid Marion Way)
The Castle is now a 17th century mansion built on the foundations of the original Medieval castle, with spectacular views across the city. Inside there is an art gallery and museum where you can learn about the history of Nottingham.

GREEN’S WINDMILL (Sneinton)
This windmill is a short walk from the city centre, and includes a science centre where you can learn about the mathematician who started the Mill, George Green and also buy flour made in the windmill itself.

WOLLATON HALL
The hall is a fine Elizabethan Mansion which stands on acres of parkland in which deer freely roam. Great place to fly a kite!

BROADWAY CINEMA (14-18 Broad St Nottingham)
The Broadway is the East Midlands’ flagship cinema and media centre, showing a wide variety of independent and foreign films. Fashion designer Paul Smith designed the chairs in one screen room in his iconic stripey material.

THE SCREEN ROOM 25b Broad St, Nottingham
http://www.screenroom.co.uk/

As well as boasting the world’s oldest pub, Nottingham is also home to the world’s smallest cinema! With only 21 seats this cinema is an intimate venue for films, and is situated opposite the Broadway cinema in Hockley.