We don’t blame you for wanting to get to know Nottingham better. Thanks to its collection of castles, caves, bars and boutiques, Nottingham has stood the test of time to become one of the UK’s most vibrant and exciting cities.
Still, exploring new places can soon start to drain the bank, which can make us feel like we’re missing out on all that cities like Nottingham have to offer. But this doesn’t have to be the case! Read our guide below to find out how you can make the most of Nottingham on a budget, whether you’re a savvy student or young professional.
📍 Old Market Square, Nottingham, NG1 2HU
Old Market Square is far from your average city square. As the UK’s second-largest square (after Trafalgar Square, of course), Old Market Square undeniably constitutes the very heart of Nottingham. As a bustling hubbub of people, culture, and architecture — thanks to Nottingham Council House’s grand facade that overlooks the area — Old Market Square often hosts markets, live events, themed summer ‘beach’ days, and cozy winter wonderlands.
It’s always worth passing through Old Market Square to see if there’s anything interesting going on — and nine times out of ten, there will be.
📍 Lace Market, Nottingham, NG1
Nottingham’s central Lace Market area is perfect for a spot of shopping, with its historic streets home to an array of both small independent shops and larger, more well-known chains. Whether you’re after a new record to listen to or just want to browse some solid collections of second-hand and antique books, the Lace Market has something for everyone.
Even if shopping is out of your budget, the Lace Market is fun to wander around and is a great way to learn more about Nottingham’s culture and past.
📍 Lenton Road, Nottingham, NG1 6EL
Fancy yourself a history buff? Nottingham Castle‘s story spans hundreds and hundreds of years, making this attraction an ideal day out for those looking to soak up Nottingham’s history and learn what makes this city tick.
Tickets to Nottingham Castle and its grounds are valid for a full year, so the £15 admission is well-worth the investment for the unlimited access it grants you.
If visiting Nottingham Castle alone doesn’t quench your thirst for knowledge, consider going on a guided tour of Nottingham’s secret underground caves.
📍 Avenue E&D, Freckingham Street, Nottingham, NG1 1DW
Anyone and everyone who considers themself a foodie needs to check out Bustler, Nottingham’s biggest and best food hall venue. You’ll find an array of independent vendors at various price points to suit your budget here, offering up anything from light bites and sandwiches to hefty burgers and moreish gyoza — trust us when we say that you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Nottingham is home to loads of other indie food restaurants and bars, too, so make sure you check them out as well.
Ready to explore more cities on a budget? Check out our guide to York, or go and give our guide to Bristol a read.
Prices correct at time of publication.
Nottingham has stood the test of time to become one of the UK’s most vibrant and exciting cities, so we don’t blame you for wanting to get to know Nottingham better. Read our guide to find out how you can make the most of Nottingham on a budget.
Trying to figure out exactly how to spend your time in Cardiff can soon get overwhelming — especially when taking budgeting into account. Whether you’re a Cardiff student or are just visiting for the day, let us give you our recommendations for getting to know Cardiff on the cheap.
Whether we have our headphones on at the gym, are listening to a playlist on the way to class, or have started a jam to get the vibes flowing at pre-drinks, we all know that music is impossible to live without. So why not offset the costs with our five music student discounts?