Top-10 Fun Things to Do
in Nottingham

What is it?
The largest network of underground caves in the UK

Why should you go?
Hidden beneath the streets of Nottingham, this labyrinth of over 800 artificial sandstone caves is a truly unique experience. Discover the medieval tannery, the underground slums, pub cellars, and a WWII air raid shelter during a tour through this maze that the local residents have used for centuries.


It's better to book your tickets in advance: this is one of the most popular tourist activities in Nottingham. Also, remember to wear comfy walking shoes and take some warm clothes: it might feel a bit chilly down there.


Specialization
Сaves

Perfect for
Not for the claustrophobic ones

What is it?
An immersive attraction focused on Robin Hood and the medieval Nottingham

Why should you go?
You can't really visit Nottingham without running into one of the most iconic characters of English folklore. Located right next to Nottingham Castle, this interactive experience is one of the most fun ways to present the story of the famous outlaw and the historical context of the legend.

Certainly one of the top family-friendly fun activities in Nottingham, the experience immerses you in the smells and sounds of the medieval town, introduces Robin Hood's mates, showcases a collection of costumes and artifacts, and has a section on media portrayals of the legendary archer.

Specialization
Interactive experience + history museum

Perfect for
Families with kids

What is it?
One of the largest traveling fun fairs in Europe

Why should you go?
Despite the name, we're not suggesting that you come to Nottingham to buy a goose, although the Goose Fair, indeed, started as a livestock and trade event some seven centuries ago. The fair takes place at the Forest Recreation Ground in autumn each year (in fact, it was canceled only because of the bubonic plague, the two world wars, and the coronavirus pandemic). This is one of the most exciting things to do in Nottingham if you're around in October. Check the dates in advance: the festival usually lasts a few days.

While currently there are no more live geese vendors or performing fleas, this massive event is jam-packed with rides and attractions — over 100 of those are just for the kids, and hundreds more bring joy to fun-seeking adults. Admission is free!

Specialization
Fun fair

Perfect for
Kids, big and small

What is it?
Vibrant neighborhood with numerous bars, pubs, restaurants, and shops

Why should you go?
Looking for fun things to do in Nottingham city center in the evening? Bar-hopping is one of the greatest adult versions of entertaining oneself, so why not do it in the coolest part of the city? Hockley is renowned for its buzzing atmosphere, and in terms of going out, it's simply the best.

Check out the vintage stores and cozy cafes, catch a flick at the independent Broadway Cinema, grab a pizza at the local favorite, Oscar & Rosie's, and off you go to explore the local bars! Drop by the Hockley Arts Club, get a cocktail at the speakeasy Lost Property with its penny-lined counter, and imagine yourself in an Edgar Poe story at the Gothic place called Pit & Pendulum. That's our idea of the best things to do in Nottingham for young adults!

Specialization
Cool neighborhood

Perfect for
Party animals

What is it?
A small urban farm with animals and a play area just outside the city center

Why should you go?
Whenever you feel like you need to touch grass and reconnect with nature, nothing can be better than visiting a real little farm with cute animals, especially if it's located just a stone's throw from downtown. Open every day and free to visit, this amazing place offers an opportunity to watch, pet, and feed a wide range of creatures, including goats, rabbits, ponies, sheep, and the cutest Kune Kune pigs. They also have larger animals like cows, a tortoise, meerkats, and some birds.

The gardens always look neat, with various plants, herbs, flowers, and vegetables. You can actually buy some of the local produce in the shop, including their very own honey and eggs. Finally, there's a cafe and a spacious playground for the kids to run around. Pretty cool, huh?

Specialization
Urban farm and petting zoo

Perfect for
Animal lovers

What is it?
A museum of haunted objects and oddities from all over the world

Why should you go?
Let's start by saying that this museum is rated the 29th most haunted location in the UK, and, according to the owner, some of the visitors reported feeling scratched and other physical sensations during the tours of the place.

Feeling scared... or curious? In any case, this exhibition is truly something different: over the years, the enthusiastic owners have collected tons of creepy, quirky, exciting artifacts that have something to do with the other world. Exorcism kits, vampire hunting equipment, possessed dolls, human skulls, dybbuk boxes, and voodoo objects — all these things on display. Plus, the very process of being shown around by the friendly staff makes a trip there one of the really cool things to do in Nottingham.

Specialization
Horror-themed museum

Perfect for
Real fans of all things paranormal and macabre, not for the faint of heart

What is it?
A bar full of vintage arcade games

Why should you go?
We, for one, are huge fans of the arcades at traditional British seaside resorts - but what to do when it's a few hours' ride to Brighton or Bournemouth? Worry not: Penny Lane is the place that can transport you to the seaside without leaving Nottingham's city center.

Right in the heart of the historic Lace Market, Penny Lane serves food and drinks, but it is primarily known as home to a range of nostalgic amusement arcades. There are Air Hockey, Table Football, Skee Ball, Basketball, various Grabber Machines, a Super Chexx ice hockey machine, and for those who prefer their entertainment cheap, Penny Pushers. Come on your own and reminisce, or bring family and friends — an evening full of fun is pretty much guaranteed.

Specialization
Bar + vintage arcade games

Perfect for
Retro games enthusiasts

What is it?
Old-school cinema-themed downtown venue with pizza, ping pong, and more

Why should you go?
Another place in Lace Market, Das Kino is a stylish venue with a design inspired by German movies from the 1930s and set inside a former lace warehouse. Cinema-related art, faded posters on the walls, industrial lighting and wooden floors, a vintage photo booth, ping pong tables, plus great cocktails and pizza — what else would one need?

Well, we might have an idea: the traditional Saturday' bottomless brunch'! Now, at just under 50 quid per person, it might not be cheap, but you'll get free-flowing prosecco and cocktails, unlimited pizza, and live entertainment, including a drag queen bingo. Cheesy? Perhaps. One of the most fun things to do in Nottingham? Very likely!

Specialization
Bar + entertainment venue

Perfect for
A night on the town or the whole Saturday afternoon

What is it?
A stunning Elizabethan mansion with a deer park, gardens, play areas, two museums, and a Batman connection

Why should you go?
Built in the 1580s, this imposing mansion is the epitome of Elizabethan grandeur. Currently, it hosts Nottingham Natural History Museum, while Nottingham Industrial Museum is located nearby in the outbuildings. The outdoor part is no less impressive: there are picturesque gardens with sculptures, a glasshouse, trails, and play areas. Wildlife is abundant: deer herds have roamed these lands since the 14th century. Currently, there are over 90 red and 120 fallow deer at Wollaton. Stroll by the lake to look out for local wildlife, including the various birds, including ring-necked parakeets.

One of the coolest things about the mansion? It played the role of Wayne Manor in the 2012 Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises.

Specialization
Historic mansion + park + museums

Perfect for
Pretty much everyone: history buffs, nature lovers, and fans of The Dark Knight trilogy

What is it?
A pub that claims to be the oldest inn in the country

Why should you go?
Although this cannot be verified, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem argues that it dates back to 1189, and King Richard the Lionheart and his men gathered here before heading to Jerusalem. The pub sits beneath the rock on which Nottingham Castle sits and is actually built into the sandstone cliff. Cave cellars exist underneath the pub and suggest that it was used as a brewhouse for the castle in medieval times. The historic place has an impressive underground labyrinth feel and serves a great selection of beer. It's hard to think of better things to do in Nottingham for adults after all the sightseeing.

Of course, the pub is reportedly haunted. Just check out the wooden model of a cursed galleon. Legend has it that everyone who had ever cleaned it met an untimely death. There's also a magic chair that is said to increase a woman's chances of getting pregnant after sitting in it.

Specialization
Historic pub

Perfect for
Pub enthusiasts and fans of ghost stories