|
This ancient city is one of
the top shopping centres in the UK, offering a
superior mix of large department stores,
specialist stores and everything else you’d expect
from a modern metropolis - from nightlife to
cinemas and restaurants. Yet its most famous
character is not a high-powered tycoon but an
outlaw – Robin Hood.
|
Nottingham Castle Gate House - Photo:
Rob Bradford
CCL |
Legend has it that Robin and
his merry men lived in Sherwood Forest and
constantly humiliated evil King John and the
Sheriff of Nottingham. Although the truth is
hardly transparent, there really is a castle here
and at one time it was commanded by King John and
his merciless Sheriff. There are also a number of
statues of the archer-warrior.
Today the castle – built
by William Conqueror in the 11th century and
later reconstructed by the Duke of Newcastle –
is the city’s splendid museum and art gallery.
It explains how Nottingham emerged from the
Dark Ages and took a leading role in the
industrial revolution.
|
|
Originally a Saxon settlement
and later part of a Viking kingdom, Nottingham was
a prosperous market town in the Middle Ages.
But the decision by Richard
Arkwright to install his first steam-powered
spinning machines here in the late 18th century
sparked an industrial boom. The population
exploded, as did the manufacture of hosiery and
lace - for which the city has long been famous -
despite an uprising by so-called Luddites who
smashed machinery in the mills.
In more recent times thousands
of jobs were created in the city by three great
High Street names - bicycle manufacturers Raleigh,
cigarette makers John Player and local
entrepreneur Jesse Boot’s company Boots the
Chemist.
|
Greens Mill at Sneinton - Photo:
Alex Foster
CCL |
Nottingham has a host of
museums which look in depth at this remarkable
heritage. They range from a lace museum and a Lace
Centre to a museum of costume and textiles. At
16th century Woollaton Hall you will also find a
natural history museum and industrial museum.
|
Woolaton Hall - Photo:
Rob Bradford
CCL |
The Brewhouse Yard Museum
traces the city’s life through the ages while the
Shire Hall is home to the Galleries of Justice,
which gives a unique insight into crime and
punishment through the ages. Meanwhile, beneath
Nottingham’s streets is a unique labyrinth of over
400 man-made caves in which there are
reconstructions of places such as a tannery, air
raid shelter and Victorian slum.
|
Another place of interest is
12th century Newstead Abbey, built by Henry 11 to
atone for the murder of Thomas Becket. It was home
to Lord Byron and is now a museum run by the local
council. The poet is buried at nearby Hucknall
Church.
|
Of course, the city is famous
for its annual Goose Fair held each October – a
tradition started in the 13th century – but also
has two inns, ‘The Salutation Inn’ and the ‘Trip
to Jerusalem’, which date back to the same period.
|
Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem - Photo:
Patrick A Griffin
CCL |
|
