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Original poster

Does anyone know Nottingham reasonably well here?

41 replies

Bagelsandbrie · 31/07/2021 14:04

I’m trying to plan a one night / day trip type thing for me, dd aged 18 and Ds aged 9 (who has autism). Dd is starting university there soon and hasn’t been to look round yet so the plan is to visit the campus (even if it’s shut) so she can get a feel for it all and hopefully squeeze some fun stuff in for Ds and us all as well.

I’ve found a Premier Inn by the marina which seems to be between the city centre and university- do you think this is walkable? Buses? I’ll be driving (2.5 hour journey there) so hope to dump the car at the hotel and be able to walk / bus most of it otherwise. Not sure if that’s at all realistic?

Help. Budget fairly limited. Other hotel ideas welcome!

Is the castle worth a visit?

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 31/07/2021 14:11

I don't know Nottingham well but the tram system is fairly good for getting around.

GetTaeFuck · 31/07/2021 14:12

The castle is expensive now it’s reopened.

Is it UoN or NTU?

Original poster
Bagelsandbrie · 31/07/2021 14:14

Thanks for replying. I’ve heard about the trams. Anyone know how it works re fares?!

It’s UoN.

OP posts:
NursePotato · 31/07/2021 14:15

@GetTaeFuck

The castle is expensive now it’s reopened.

Is it UoN or NTU?

Agreed with this. UoN and NTU are in two different places, but trams are really good. I find Nottingham more accessible than Lincoln/York etc.

Kitty Cafe is always quite popular but you do have to book. There's a mini golf in the cineworld building that's really popular. I'm not sure if the Caves are still open now, it's been a while since I looked for any information on it.

NursePotato · 31/07/2021 14:16

@Bagelsandbrie

Thanks for replying. I’ve heard about the trams. Anyone know how it works re fares?!

It’s UoN.

I use to buy a day pass and hop on and off all day.

I love UoN. I studied there.

GetTaeFuck · 31/07/2021 14:17

You buy tickets at the station before boarding, or there’s an app you can download.

UoN has a huge campus - getting off at the tram, there’s a really nice, big park, a mini golf course, a duck pond with boats for hire, and the Lakeside Arts centre.

There are multiple walking routes around the campus, all on big boards at various points. Has she downloaded the UoN app yet? As there’s a map on there too.

It’s beautiful and you can easily fill a day there.

GetTaeFuck · 31/07/2021 14:19

What course is she doing? The campus is huge, I know it very well and pre-Covid, most departments don’t require a key card to get in. I’ve not been since Covid, though, so that might have changed.

NursePotato · 31/07/2021 14:21

@GetTaeFuck

You buy tickets at the station before boarding, or there’s an app you can download.

UoN has a huge campus - getting off at the tram, there’s a really nice, big park, a mini golf course, a duck pond with boats for hire, and the Lakeside Arts centre.

There are multiple walking routes around the campus, all on big boards at various points. Has she downloaded the UoN app yet? As there’s a map on there too.

It’s beautiful and you can easily fill a day there.

Love the duck pond!
Original poster
Bagelsandbrie · 31/07/2021 14:23

Thank you so much everyone, it all sounds a bit less daunting now! Grin

She’s going to be doing Criminology.

We are coming from a very rural ish place in Norfolk (although I used to live in South London) and this will be quite a treat for us to visit a big city. Ds has never been on a bus or tram before.

OP posts:
Mercedes519 · 31/07/2021 14:24

Castle marina is walkable into town but probably 10-15 minutes depending on which end of town you need. Nice walk along the canal though. Castle has just reopened so don’t know what it’s like.

Near the university is Highgate Park which is right next to the campus with a lake and adventure/foot golf. Tram goes through there and goes to lots of places. You can buy a day ticket at the tram stop which covers all day travel.

Have a look at Wollaton Hall especially if you like dinosaurs. Art - Nottingham Contemporary. Ice skating.

NursePotato · 31/07/2021 14:25

@Bagelsandbrie

Thank you so much everyone, it all sounds a bit less daunting now! Grin

She’s going to be doing Criminology.

We are coming from a very rural ish place in Norfolk (although I used to live in South London) and this will be quite a treat for us to visit a big city. Ds has never been on a bus or tram before.

I love the tram! DS will have a great time. I love Nottingham so much.
Pukkapiesrule · 31/07/2021 14:25

It seems a lot fancier then when I visited as a kid, but Highfields could be worth a visit if you'd prefer outside stuff to the city centre www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/highfieldspark the tram stops at the park & it's literally next door to the uni. Probably more fun for a 9 yr old than the castle which is more like a museum from what I remember.

Mercedes519 · 31/07/2021 14:25

Beauty of a tram day ticket you can ride all day - all the way to one end and then the other!

SirenSays · 31/07/2021 14:25

Imo the castle definitely isn't worth it. I thought it was expensive and pretty empty considering the price. Two of the rooms have barely anything in them.
There were lots of reenactors there when I went who didn't do anything but sit around playing on their phones. You'd be better off visiting Lincoln Castle.

You can walk from the marina and there are plenty of busses. Make sure you buy tickets before getting on the tram, you can't buy them on board now and the inspectors are very eager to give out fines.

Pukkapiesrule · 31/07/2021 14:28

Oh & forgot to say if you're thinking of a pub lunch at any point give Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem a try, it's carved into the castle rock & definitely an interesting place to eat!!

DufferMum · 31/07/2021 14:31

Trams are very good, Courts of Justice are a fun trip, shopping is excellent. Also very good indoor crazy golf place under the corner house in the centre ( google it) if you are stuck for something to do.

Original poster
Bagelsandbrie · 31/07/2021 14:32

This is all brilliant! Flowers Just what I needed.

I think we will give the castle a miss then. The park around the university sounds fab.

OP posts:
NotMeNoNo · 31/07/2021 14:57

Hi,
It is a nice walk along the canal. The trams are a good way to get around, from your Premier Inn walk down to to the tram stop near Dunelm to get a tram to the university. My DS is autistic, he loves kitty cafe, also just doing low key things like going to Subway or McDonalds for a predictable meal. From the Marina/castle side you can explore the centre walking across the Old Market Square to Hockley/Sneinton Market (indie shop/bar area).
Theres a lot of rebuilding between the station and the city centre, don't be put off by the half derelict Broadmarsh shopping centre, but hopefully it will end up better than it started.
It's a great city to live and be a student.

Helenluvsrob · 31/07/2021 14:59

Why not stay on campus in the hotel ?

Buses good and cheap. Get a card for her ( is it a mango ?) for cheaper student fare.

GetTaeFuck · 31/07/2021 15:03

No it’s not Mango.

The student NCT bus card is decent, however it’s buses only. A Robin Hood one is better, as it covers trams, NCT buses and certain Trent Barton ones.

JackieWeaveristheboss · 31/07/2021 15:17

There is a hotel on the university campus called the Orchid hotel (not sure how expensive it is). As others have said, the tram runs past the university into the city centre so look for hotels close ish to the tram routes for easy access. Victoria Centre is the main shopping centre but there are small clusters of shops around the city centre. The Corner House has lots of restaurants and bars, a cinema and crazy golf. Wollaton Hall is a lovely day out and not too far from the university. Nottingham is a brilliant student city I’m sure you daughter will love it.

Original poster
Bagelsandbrie · 31/07/2021 15:19

@Helenluvsrob

Why not stay on campus in the hotel ?

Buses good and cheap. Get a card for her ( is it a mango ?) for cheaper student fare.

Do you mean the Orchard hotel? I’m having a look at it now. It looks lovely but is £165 ish for the night compared to the £85 ish for the premier inn… it does look lovely though.

Hmm I’ll have to think about it all!

Thank you @NotMeNoNo re the food / predictable stuff as well, definitely appreciate this with Ds! He loves a day out but having a recognisable back up plan is always good.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bagelsandbrie · 31/07/2021 15:19

@JackieWeaveristheboss

There is a hotel on the university campus called the Orchid hotel (not sure how expensive it is). As others have said, the tram runs past the university into the city centre so look for hotels close ish to the tram routes for easy access. Victoria Centre is the main shopping centre but there are small clusters of shops around the city centre. The Corner House has lots of restaurants and bars, a cinema and crazy golf. Wollaton Hall is a lovely day out and not too far from the university. Nottingham is a brilliant student city I’m sure you daughter will love it.
Cross posted. Thank you.
OP posts:
Thirtyrock39 · 31/07/2021 21:27

The Nottingham beach may still be on if you're going soon and if not there are fountains in the market square which my 9 year old loves - you can run in and out of them - we went there a few weeks ago
Highfields park is great and there is crazy golf, boating lake etc

Kijaji · 31/07/2021 21:50

I llive 30 mins from Nottingham, personally I think the Castle Marina hotel is a bit too far out, my DH stays in the Ibis when he goes out in town which is in the middle of the city centre right next to the tram. As for your 9 year old there is a crazy golf in the Cornerhouse and I recently took my DS14 to Penny Lane (it is a bar/restaurant with bit of an arcade). Unfortunately the beach isn't on this year again due to COVID!

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