About Nottingham
About Nottingham
Nottingham is a city of culture, innovation, and community. Here's what you need to know about the city behind Nottingham.city.
Population and geography
Nottingham is the largest city in the East Midlands, with a city population of approximately 310,000 and a metropolitan area of around 750,000. The city sits at the confluence of the River Trent and the River Leen, with the famous Sherwood Forest lying immediately to the north.
The city is historically famous for its lace-making industry — earning it the nickname “the lace city” — and for Nottingham Castle, which played a pivotal role in the English Civil War and the legend of Robin Hood.
Economy and employment
Nottingham has a diversified economy with significant public sector employment (the NHS, Nottingham Trent University, and the University of Nottingham are major employers), a growing tech and digital sector, and a strong retail and hospitality base.
The city centre hosts two major shopping centres (Intu Victoria Centre and Trinity Square), while the Lace Market area has been regenerated as a hub for creative businesses, digital agencies, and independent enterprises.
History at a glance
- 871 — Nottingham is founded by the Saxons at a crossing point on the River Trent.
- 1067 — William the Conqueror builds Nottingham Castle on the sandstone cliff.
- 1155 — The first recorded lace-making activity begins in Nottingham.
- 1283 — Nottingham receives its first charter, making it a city.
- 1831 — The Robin Hood legend is popularised through Victorian literature and tourism.
- 1895 — Nottingham becomes the world's centre of lace production, employing tens of thousands.
- 1911 — The first cinema opens on Narrow Marsh; Nottingham's film culture begins.
- 1995 — Nottingham is designated as one of the UK's first Science Cities.
- 2022 — Nottingham hosts the World Cherry Blossom Festival, a new city tradition.
Getting around
Nottingham has excellent public transport links. The Nottingham Express Transit (NET) tram network runs from the city centre to Beeston, Clifton, and Chilwell, with an extension to the University of Nottingham campus. The bus network is operated primarily by Nottingham City Transport (NCT) and provides comprehensive coverage of the city and suburban areas.
Nottingham railway station is on the East Midlands Main Line, with direct services to London St Pancras (around 1 hour 45 minutes), Sheffield, Derby, Leicester, and Lincoln. A new station at Nottingham West was opened in 2024, improving access for communities in the west of the city.
Culture and identity
Nottingham has a distinctive cultural identity rooted in its history, its universities, its music scene (home to bands like Jake Bugg, London Grammar, Sleaford Mods, and Suede), and its literary associations with DH Lawrence and Lord Byron.
The city is also known for its sporting identity: Nottingham Forest and Notts County are two of the oldest professional football clubs in the world, and Trent Bridge is one of cricket's most historic grounds. The National Ice Centre, Velodrome, and Harvey Hadden sports complex make Nottingham one of the most important sporting cities in the UK.
Key facts
- Population (city): ~310,000
- Metropolitan area: ~750,000
- Two universities: University of Nottingham (30,000+ students) and Nottingham Trent University (30,000+ students)
- Tram network: NET — 3 lines, 31 stops
- Nearest airport: East Midlands Airport (14 miles)
- Rail to London: ~1h 45m to St Pancras
- UNESCO status: Nottingham Lace Market is a scheduled ancient monument
- Nicknames: The Lace City, Robin Hood's City, Queen of the Midlands
About Nottingham.city
Nottingham.city is an independent local guide being built for the benefit of people who live, work, and do business in Nottingham. It aims to be the most practically useful local resource online — covering the independent businesses, neighbourhoods, events, and community life that make Nottingham distinctive.