Does anyone know Nottingham reasonably well here?

[Bagelsandbrie]

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?

We've just come back from a stay at Nottingham as they held an open day. We stayed at the De Vere Orchard but it only cost £70 a night. It was in the middle of the campus so a good spot to wander around and explore. We did a bit of driving too (it was an easy city to drive in, unlike Birmingham which was a nightmare!). I hadn't been to the city centre for a while and it was lovely.

You can wander around the campus quite freely so I'm sure you'll have a good trip.

The caves are fab. You access them through a shopping centre. If they are open, then that’s a great thing to do.
Second wollaton hall, but you’d be better off using the car to get there, either as you arrive, or as you leave. It’s near the city centre though.

I work at the university and the campus is pretty quiet at the moment. Still worth going, but a lot is closed. My tips are:

Take sandwiches with you if planning on being on campus for a few hours as the shops are all closed. There is a Sainsbury’s near your hotel for this.

My son is at NTU - we've been to pudding pantry, which is nice for lunch/breakfast. The pay per go scooters are fun.

Sorry, posted before I’d finished:

More tips:
The Portland building (the student union) is open so you can look around it. Most of the other buildings need key card access but if you are going during a weekday you will probably be able to walk into the foyer areas of them to have a look

If you want to stop for coffee on campus my recommendations are either the Portland Coffee Company (in the Portland building) or the cafe at the lakeside arts centre.

Do go and have a look at the sports facilities available - the David Ross sports village

I assume you’ll need to eat out in the evening. Some recommendations are: Zaap (Thai), Annie’s burger shack, Puddinv pantry, Pieminister (pies!) and Tamatanga (Indian)

Other things to do in Nottingham:
Attenborough nature reserve - you’ll need to drive here, but good for walks

If you are looking for a day out, you can get a joint ticket for the National Justice museum and the caves. Both are brilliant, interesting attractions with costumed actors.
As others have mentioned, Highfields park next to the university is nice for a stroll and has a boating lake if the weather is fine.
I haven't been to the castle since it reopened after its refurb, but friends that have said it is not worth the money.

@Pukkapiesrule

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.

There's mini golf at Hghfields too, check Groupon. We got tickets on there cheap as chips.

You can park for free all day at any tram car park, and check if the family ticket is cheaper. So you could stay a lot farther out , for cheaper. There is a park with trees and a pond and ducks , arburitum one stop on from the uni going away from the town centre, it is free.
The caves and Justice museum are both good, but small rooms and not good if your son space.
Try the pubs for food, breakfast from £3 and cheaper than cafes. Victoria Centre has a Tiger shop, cheap for stationary. Ikea needs a car. As no trams near it.
Sherwood forest is great for a day out, car again needed.

There's a big inflatable course in the centre too. Near the Vic centre. No clue if it's open though.

Newark is on your way, great ruins, free to walk round....

I spend a lot of time in nottigham with dd (she is under specialist at the qmc hospital nr the uni)

Trams are excellent and compared to other local cities much more affordable.

Depending on when you are going the beach may be on in the old market square, but even if not throw a change if clothes and a towel in a bag cos the kids all play in the fountains!

There is the cornerhouse near the theatre that has cineworld, crazy golf, lots of restaurants etc but can be pricey, the castle marina is nice an walkable, probably 20 mins or 30 with a child maybe.

Don't bother with the castle, it is was shit pre covid and doubtful it is better now!

Woolaton Hall is lovely

The forest recreation ground is lovely for a walk/play

There is the ice rink

I think hour hotel is fine as you're half way between town and UoN
You can do walk sling the canal to town.
Your DD may enjoy the Galleries of Justice if she's doing criminology.
Pitcher and piano is closeby too which is a converted church and very stunning interior (food/bar)
Kitty cafe is great if you like cats, but you can't even go inside without a slot
I never really warmed to the castle as it looks like a big Barrett home to me, was rebuilt when the original burnt down, I guess it's probably much better now it's been redone.
enjoy!

Highfields park effectively is on campus. In fact most people would think it is part of campus.

DS went to UoN and is now working there, so have been visiting for a while. IME the hotels near the Castle Quay Marina are not fantastically convenient for the UoN if you are walking, but the walk into Nottingham via the canal path is lovely. I didn't think the trams and buses from there ( ie near Dunelm) to the City centre were that regular.
There is a Travelodge on Woolerton Park which is nearer the Uni and buses seem more regular to the City.
We like Cafe Sobar in the city centre, especially for a brunch. It had a really friendly vibe and is run by an addiction recovery charity. Ds likes Son of Steak but it might be a bit noisy for your DC with autism.
We did a round trip to Nottingham from South Suffolk/North Essex yesterday, as we needed to do something with DS at short notice and the hotel prices were eyewatering last night ( - over £400!), so whatever you decide make sure you book in plenty of time.

Thank you so much everyone. Really appreciate all the recommendations and help.

I asked dd what hotel she’d prefer to stay in - the Orchard on campus or the Premier inn one (although I have been Googling others too) and surprisingly she said she’d prefer the premier inn as it’s kind of between the university and the centre and she wants to get a feel for both. I’ve managed to book a family room for £60 which I think is very reasonable. I can cancel this up to the day before we go so if I change my mind about the hotel I can change it. I’m going to look at the others recommended here, thank you.

I’m quite looking forward to it now. I’m nervous about the drive, I don’t do a lot of driving beyond maybe 40 mins max but last summer I did a 6 hour drive to Wales so I’m just going to go for it!

Both DCs graduated from Nottingham. DS at UoN and DD finally has her graduation from NTU next month. It's a great city and so easy to get around. Kitty cafe is great 🐾Enjoy your trip!