Things to do in Nottingham?

[wigglybeezer]

For me, a middle aged woman who likes cultural things more than shopping.
DH and DS3 are going to Warhammer World, its like Mecca to them and they will happily spend two whole days in there. I decided to come with them and amuse myself going to museums etc but I have just discovered Nottingham castle is closed for restoration.
If there's a John Lewis I could probably spend a morning or afternoon in there browsing and choosing a new potato peeler very carefully but I need other suggestions including somewhere nice to go for lunch.
I am not a big shopper but do like a good craft shop or secondhand bookshop.
I would particularly welcome quirky or hidden gem type suggestions and would venture out of town as long as its on public transport (I'm from a very rural area and not confident about driving on unfamiliar busy road systems).

There's an interesting network of caves under the city. They have guided tours, I understand.

Do you like cats?, there is a kitten cafe in Nottingham, you can book an hour slot and have cake and coffee while there. If the DH/DS are into Warhammer, the kitten cafe is very close to a branch of Forbidden Planet.

The galleries of justice are good, it’s the old prison and courthouse and the oldest cells are dug into the rock below. There is also city of caves- the entrance to this is in a 1970s shopping centre which was built on top of some caves (Nottingham is built on very soft sandstone and is pitted with hand dug caves). There are lots of nice cafes and restaurants in Nottingham but it’s a while since I’ve been there so don’t want to give specific recommendations. Delilah deli used to be great though. A wander round the lace market is interesting and you can always go to the broadway cinema which is a great independent with a nice cafe and bar.
www.broadway.org.uk/cafe

I actually really like Nottingham city centre, it’s a nice mix of very old and modern buildings with good shopping. And there is a JL!

Some quirky places on Derby road as well, which heads out of the city centre.

I second broadway cinema, great independent films plus fab cafe. Nottingham contemporary gallery is good, not sure what's on but again ace cafe and lovely gallery shop. The Hockley area is being revitalised with a lot more independent shops after years of decline, but to be honest I don't think the shopping is brilliant generally.

Annie's burgers is a great place for food, again in the hockley area, amazing burgers!

Thanks, noting down all suggestions ...

The Lace Market /Hockley area is looking promising.
Is there a Nottingham cake/biscuit speciality? We always try the local baked goods, so far Berlin is top of our bakery ranking system.

Nottingham Contemporary is Lace Market/Hockley area too. Lovely space/art gallery with a nice cafe.

Go into a sandwich shop and ask for a bacon cob.

Go shopping down Bridlesmith Gate.

John Lewis is in the Victoria Centre if you need it.

Go to the Old Market Square, sit down and watch the world go by.

Are you coming this weekend? At the moment there is a Robin Statute trail with 33 different statues dotted around Nottingham but they fly away on 30th September.

www.hoodwinked2018.co.uk

Takes u all over Nottingham so a good way to see the city, get a map at the tourist centre or there's an app you can download.

I found the statues interesting and here's a pic off my fav one

This will help you if all else fails OP: www.nottinghampost.com/whats-on/whats-on-news/newcomers-guide-best-nottingham-things-1982363

Enjoy!

There is a lovely tea shop! Bird and Blend. A chocolatier off the market square.

I don't know why I'm worrying. I live in a tiny town with one Co-op, I'm going to find anywhere entertaining.

fiveleavesbookshop.co.uk

Great independent bookshop. Lovely people too.

Seconding the recommendations for Galleries of Justice & the caves.
Delilah's is a real family favourite for us - every adult birthday includes lunch at Delilah's with a large glass of wine - make sure you leave room for a huge slice of cake too!
The John Lewis is pretty big you can easily lose a few hours there.

I second the recommendations for Galleries of Justice, Broadway Cinema and Nottingham Contemporary. There is a private members-only library in the city centre called Bromley House, which is a hidden gem, and they do guided tours and occasional open days, so I’d contact them in advance if you’d like to look around.

For lunch in the city centre, I recommend Baresca (tapas) which is near Bridlesmith Gate (I’ve seen someone else recommend this for shopping - it used to be full of independent shops but is now mostly chains, although I recommend The Tokenhouse for stationery, cards and gifts). In the Hockley area, nearer Broadway Cinema, I’d recommend Sexy Mama Love Spaghetti (Italian) or Edin’s Deli.

For a drink in a more unusual building in the city, try Pitcher & Piano (near Galleries of Justice) which is in a sensitively-converted church, or Malt Cross (near Bromley Library) which is in an old music hall.

If you fancy getting out of the city centre, I’d recommend Ruddington which is a village about 20 mins South of the city (regular buses from the centre). There is a large country park which was originally a munitions depot in WW2 and has been developed with some great walking trails and a lake. In the village, there are some lovely coffee shops/pubs for lunch (try The Old Bakehouse or Jasper’s cafe, or the White Horse pub). Then I’d spend an hour or two in the Framework Knitters Museum (another hidden gem, and slightly quirky but if you like crafts think it could interest you). Followed by a ramble around the independent shops in the village (including a wool shop, keeping on the knitting theme!). If your family wanted to join you there for dinner, the Ruddington Arms regularly wins awards for best gastropub in Notts.

Enjoy your break!

Oh hell I forgot the robins finished soon - keep meaning to take my Robyn to find them!

Shite at recommending what to do - I rarely go into the city centre... rarely go further than the local Tescos to be honest - I'm a sad, skint git!

See what is in at Lakeside Gallery /Arts Centre. Short bus ride from the city centre.

No. 3 bus goes from the Market Square to Ruddington (past my road).

The Craft Studio (few mins walk up from the Market Square) do Saturday courses and have lovely things to buy. On the way you will pass the Bead Shop on Market Street too.

Just browsing around the Lace Market, Hockley and Sneinton Market are all interesting with quirky little shops.
Generally it's a compact city centre with good shops, John Lewis, Debenhams plus lots of independent ones. Plus opposite John Lewis is Victoria Market with some really good sewing/haberdashery stalls.

The caves tour is really interesting, I would recommend it , entrance is inside the Broadmarsh Centre.
I have been to Kitty Cafe, I found it a bit weird although I love cats none of them came near us!

Hope you have a lovely couple of days.

As far as I know Nottingham doesn't have a specific cake relating to the place. But if you pass a Birds bakery (some have cafes) their cakes are lovely especially the Elephant's Foot.

However, if you are a cheese fan make sure you go home with some Cropwell Bishop Stilton.

And if you find yourself near Shakespeare street - very near the Royal Convert hall - have a look at the beautiful Arkwright Building which is part of Nottm Trent Uni and also look up outside the YMCA (on the same street). The building has an impressive Art Deco façade, totally missed by all the students on their phones and wandering along the street. Ironic with all the art and design courses at NTU!

I love Stilton!

See if there's something good on at the Playhouse? Seconding the recommendation of Five Leaves bookshop, which has great events, and is just off the main square, and Nottingham Contemporary.

I was going to suggest the hoodwinked trail, we had great fun doing it and gave us a lovely walk around the city! Galleries of Justice are good as are the Caves but actually it’s a nice city to just wander around really

Lots of great ideas, thanks, will definitely consider Ruddington, I like the sound of the Framework museum. I was also considering going to Lincoln on the train, I'd love to see the Cathedral, it seems to be about an hour each way, are the trains generally reliable?

Yes to elephant's foot cakes!
This place for pancakes

Have lunch in a cave.

Go to the Paul Smith shop, which is a place of beauty, and sigh over all of the beautiful things that (if you are me) you can't possibly afford/justify buying.

There's a wonderful junk shop near the train station, with several floors worth of tat/wonderful things you never knew you wanted/more tat.