Pebble guide to
Nottingham

Igloo Annexe and Pods is one half of Igloo Hostel, where local street art, memory foam mattresses and free Wi-fi make this a lovely modern hostel. There's a mix of budget dorm and private rooms, shared kitchens and the staff are tuned into everything you'll want to do while in town. Expect upcycled furniture, extensive recycling and green vibes.

Budget travellers look no further, Igloo Hybrid is green-thinking hostel with a mix of dorm and private rooms. Quirky upcycled furniture is paired with USB ports, free Wi-fi, a modern kitchen and a quiet courtyard with its own veggie garden. Minutes from the bus and train stations, Igloo will give you a warm welcome.

Set in 330 acres of landscaped parkland the hotel is designed to make the most of natural daylight. Wake up in a relaxing, contemporary room, built to the highest environmental standards and finish your day with local and seasonal food at their brasserie-style restaurant.

Find handcrafted, locally roasted coffee and a range of dairy-free milks in this tiny but popular cafe. Their baristas are some of the best in town and they'll even clean your KeepCups. Grab an indie mag and settle in.

Enjoy locally sourced, seasonal soul food with a daily changing menu. (The butternut squash and fennel casserole has been a past favourite). Afterwards, peruse the pop up shops from local artists and makers or find oh so cool magazine store, Ideas on Paper, next door.

After volunteering on a Costa Rican organic coffee farm, the owners wanted to give Notts a taste of ethically sourced coffee and homemade food. Take one of their awesome cuppas to go or enjoy it over a vegan breakfast bowl and learn about the source of your chosen coffee bean.

A Midlands mini-chain, 200 Degrees roast coffee at a slightly lower temperature than normal, for a smoother tasting coffee. To get the best seats, avoid the rush and go just before midday. And don't miss the vegan brownies.

An amazing selection of bread and pastries to choose from here, many of them use raw or seasonal ingredients. Their sourdough is a must. Watch your food being made in the open kitchen from the small seating area and relax with their simple, but delicious, drip coffee.

Coffee is taken seriously here by some of the city's best baristas. Expect Instagrammable breakfasts (savoury and sweet), healthy salads and perfect brews in this miniature, modern cafe.

Pull up a pew in the middle of this bakery at Primary - a creative and small business hub in a converted Victorian primary school. A 10 minute walk from the city centre is worth it, for the best sourdough in the city and fresh out of the oven pastries.

A popular spot for creatives, who pay desk space 'rent' in cups of coffee. It's a bright and cheerful place with staff to match. The grilled cheese sandwiches are THAT GOOD it's no surprise that it's rapidly establishing itself as the daytime social lynchpin of the redeveloped Sneinton Market.

A European style café bar, Jam Café has a warm, inviting atmosphere with six craft beers on tap and a selection of cans and bottles from UK micro-brewers. It really comes alive at night as a gig venue, showcasing local musicians and DJs.

A Midlands mini-chain, 200 degrees roast coffee at a slightly lower temperature than normal, for a smoother tasting coffee. To get the best seats, avoid the rush and go just before midday. And don't miss the vegan brownies.

A volunteer-led, non-profit veggie and vegan cafe-restaurant. Perfect for a hearty, but healthy, all-day breakfast. Enjoy outside and watch the world go by, or warm up inside beside the piano and board game collection. Cluedo anyone?

Clean Cut Kitchen is all about healthy fast food and guilt-free meals on the go, in a stripped back wood, casual restaurant. Think protein noodles with spiced halloumi and clever calorie cuts on your favourite foods. They need to work on their single-use plastic consumption though.

A small and cosy spot right in the centre of the city that's all about fresh smoothies, health-kick sodas, cakes, pastries and coffee from local roastery, Outpost. Their lunch menu features their own vegan bacon, pastrami and southern style chicken.

Clever, seasonal cooking without a fuss. Local produce, a good wine list and the best steaks in the city make this one of Nottingham's most-loved independent restaurants. Dine by the floor-to-ceiling windows in the beautiful listed building, overlooking the crowds in Notts' nightlife mecca - Hockley.

The shelves of this award-sweeping deli groan under the weight of thousands of epicurean delights, right beside their relaxed food bar and mezzanine cafe. Pop in for gourmet sandwiches, wines by the glass (selected by people who really know their stuff) and sample local cheese and charcuterie.

A small, quaint restaurant, tucked away from the busy city centre, Aubury's uses fresh and local ingredients to reinvent the traditional French crêpe. Choose from their mouth-watering sweet or savoury seasonal menu, with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available. It's the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

An old-fashioned boozer, smack in the heart of Nottingham's independent mecca, Hockley, with its own microbrewery that knocks out great ales straight to the bar. The Angel also boasts a decent plant-based menu (with alternatives for carnivores), live music in the bar and in the upstairs room and DJs all weekend. Probably the best place to hang out on a Sunday with your hangover, the dog and the papers.

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Originally a chapel built upon caves over 400-years ago, the venue is remembered by most locals as 'The Old Angel' - a grimy, rock and metal pub. The pub underwent a massive renovation project in 2016, which spruced up the bar, installed a small brewery in a side room, converted the pool room into a dining room and installed a new stage and the original church pulpit in the old chapel room. It now hosts probably the most eclectic range of live music in the city.

Microbrewery

Since introducing their first Pale Angel IPA in 2016, their resident brewer has been hard at work developing Porters, brown ales, and the brilliant ‘Hop, Spring and a Jump IPA’ made with Simcoe and Citra hops. The rest of the taps feature local ales changing on an almost daily basis. If you’re staying for a few, don’t miss out on beers from Black Iris, Neon Raptor and Castle Rock.

Pies, specials and sunday roasts

Respectful of the veggie and vegan roots established at the Alley Cafe, the menu here was designed to please all types of diner. European and Asian specials support a menu of British pub classics. All dishes are available in vegan, veggie or meaty versions - the halloumi fish and chips is extremely popular.

“If you’re in town on a Tuesday, you’re in luck with a free pint, wine or soft drink with any pie - vegan or otherwise!”

Roasts often sell out on Sundays, so get there as early as your hangover allows. There’s always options for herbivores and carnivores and the portions are enormous.

Live music, DJs and spoken word

Bags of vinyl stuffed with soul, funk, hip-hop, jazz, underground New York disco, house and reggae crowd the downstairs bar, when local DJs entertain guaranteed crowds Friday to Sunday (always free entry). Check out Left Lion magazine or posters in the bar for listings of spoken word, club nights and live music in the top room; expect to find everything from thrash metal to pounding techno, often for less than a fiver a ticket.

Jam Café has a warm, inviting atmosphere with six craft beers on tap and a selection of cans and bottles from UK micro-brewers. Discover new local musicians at their Wednesday open mic night.

This popular North Californian style bar (with 15 taps of American, British and European craft beer, good wine by the glass and a tasty grazing menu) is standing room only on Fridays and Saturdays. It's the neighbourhood joint you nip into for 'just the one' after work and stagger out of hours later with new friends. The hidden backyard is perfect for spend hazy summer afternoons.

If you're looking for refined, grown-up cocktails served up in one of the smartest bars in the city, away from the hoards of revellers a few doors up, look no further than Cottonmouth. Prop up the marble bar or take a cosy seat hidden away at the back, and sip your way through their inventive and regularly changing menu - through bamboo straws no less. Keep a look out for regular popup restaurant nights too.

Kraftwerks flies the flag for craft beer in young and improving Sherwood. Take part in the newest local sport, the struggle to choose between the 400 specialist beers. The amazing Cornerstone Pizza, in a shipping container just up the road, will deliver straight to the bar, if you ask nicely.

A collection of ethically made design and craft from the British Isles with a focus on natural and sustainable materials. Expect ceramics, soft furnishing, Books, cards prints, bags, books and their iconic paper lighting.

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It's an opportunity to meet the designers, get advice and learn how they are making unique products in the community. 

“Our sole focus is to design and make with the people and materials around us in a responsible and ethical way."”

Joff Casciani - Designer and Creative Director

Lane is located next to Small Food Bakery in Primary, a former Victorian School that hosts regular exhibitions and events. Lane also host the Second Saturday Pop Ups with other guest makers from the UK.

“We've created a studio shop so people can see what we do and how we do it. When people make the trip and visit us, they are rewarded with something special that is just not possible in the city centre”

Joff Casciani

Opening times

The studio shop is open to visitors on...

Thursday : 5pm - 8pm 
Friday : 10am - 6pm
Saturday : 10am - 4pm

Nestled within Sneinton Avenues is the beautiful jewellery maker, Bden Glass. It produces unique sculptural pieces, taking inspiration from traditional African beading to Art Nouveau. Treat yourself to a statement piece you’ll love forever.

Curious? is the working studio of artists, Sarah Manton, Jessica Kemp and Sarah Sewell who produce wondrous artworks in paper and textiles. As well as selling their bespoke pieces, they offer workshops and masterclasses for other creative souls.

Want to try your hand at sewing? The Craft Studio offers workshops for all abilities. Recycle your old clothes and materials into unique ethical garments with their dressmaking course or meet like-minded creatives at their monthly Craft & Chat.

Run by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, this project aims to raise awareness of urban wildlife and engage people in their local green spaces. There are plenty of activities, events and volunteering opportunities which you can get involved in across Nottingham.

Hockley Homegrown proves anyone can grow their own food, in the middle of a city. The programme is now an organic market garden with sites all over Nottingham, with a new micro-nursery selling plants and fresh produce. Hockley Homegrown also sells through the Nottingham Food Assembly.

Co-operative community of volunteers working to promote social justice, environmental awareness and animal rights. The Sumac centre is home to Nottingham's Veggies Catering Campaign and holds 'the People's Kitchen' communal meal on Saturday nights.

An independent health shop for all your vegan, veggie and gluten-free needs. It also has a small bakery counter for a little treat after your shop.

Nottingham’s longest running independent fashion store stocks vintage and new items. Great for fashion conscious students who are on a budget. 70's, 80's, 90's, whatever you’re into, they’ve got it – including an impressive collection of flannel.

Step into the botanical wonderland that is The Watered Garden and lust over the incredible range of plants on display. Want to get your hands dirty? Join a terrarium making workshop and create a living centrepiece for your coffee table.

Dedicated to gifts, textiles, jewellery, home accessories and prints produced by local creatives, Handmade is one of a number of businesses sharing space in an original Victorian music hall. After picking up gifts, exit via the side door of the shop to the not-for-profit operated bar, featuring live music and local ales.

Exclusive local fashion by local designers flies off the hangers in MIMM. Combining the worlds of fashion, music and art, these local trend-setters throw regular club nights featuring international DJs. Pop in or check local event listings for the next big thing.

The city's best-stocked magazine specialist presents ideas on sustainability, environmentally-friendly travel and ethical business in print form. A thought provoking selection of collectible magazines, journals and books covers numerous subjects - fashion, art, culture, design, economics, food and travel. The floor to ceiling shelves of mags are complemented by the smartest stationery going, helping you get your own ideas onto paper.

Bringing all of the Sneinton Market makers together, the Shop at Sneinton Market is a treasure trove of handmade gifts, jewellery and artwork. With every price point covered, you're sure to find something you love, only a few metres from where it was made.

Out Of This World is an ethical supermarket (that also sells online). You'll find the tastiest organic, Fairtrade, eco-friendly, local food and drink plus products for special diets.

Roasting locally since 1984, these guys deliver top notch coffee. Order affordable grounds from their online store or grab a cup in Blend Coffee Shop. They only use green (unroasted) beans which are traceable back to the farmer or the cooperative.

Green Emporium take away the hassle of searching for ethical products by providing a range of green household, beauty, baby and well-being products. Expect to pay a little more than your basic supermarket prices but for thoughtful, quality products.

A vegan store offering affordable wholefoods, vegan specialities, gluten-free products, fresh bread, organic products, cruelty-free cosmetics, non-leather shoes and gifts. They also deliver to the greater Nottingham area to make your ethical lifestyle just that little bit easier.

With a mix of carefully selected vintage pieces and reworked garments, made in-house, COW is quickly becoming the go-to vintage chain for all genders. Split over two floors, it's filled with affordable treasures and a few designer pieces hidden within the racks.

Nottingham Zero Waste Collective brings plastic-free food shopping to Nottingham through a monthly pop up shop at Think in Cobden Chambers. Bring your jars, tupperware and bags and fill up with as much or as little as you want.

The oldest park in the city is also the most popular place to spend lazy summer afternoons. Dodge students from the neighbouring university and their frisbees to enjoy hidden gardens, the Grade-II listed Bell Tower and regular live music and events (including Nottingham’s annual ‘Green Festival’) hosted at the bandstand.

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Opened in 1852 and originally designed as botanical gardens, the park was a major attraction in the heart of Victorian Nottingham. The park features a collection of over 800 trees, some of which were planted by the park’s founding horticulturalist, Samuel Curtis.

“It is said that the Arboretum was the inspiration for Neverland in J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan stories - he was a Nottingham resident after all”

The English Heritage designated Grade II site is also a green-flag winning park, and a safe place to entertain the kids on fine weather days - there’s a ‘Tree Trail’ and ‘Heritage Trail’ available from Visit Nottinghamshire’s website to help keep them occupied too.

Just two miles from the city centre, this 500-acre space has been the emerald jewel in Nottingham’s crown since the 1580s. The imposing Wollaton Hall is now a Natural History Museum, with the Nottingham Industrial Museum occupying the former out-buildings and stables. Roaming herds of red and fallow deer roam the park and the fringes of the beautiful lake, un-phased by Splendour - the annual music festival hosted in the grounds in July.

A 10-mile, car-free cycle route takes you from the heart of the city centre, along the River Trent to Beeston Marina and the Nottingham Canal. A helpful map and guide available from the The Big Wheel website points out the local landmarks and rare bird species you'll spot along the route. Those extending their trip to Attenborough Nature Reserve may be rewarded by the mesmerising murmurations of starlings during winter months - unmissable.

Recently renovated by Nottingham’s Women’s Institute, this tiny green space, nestled in amongst offices and flats in the Lace Market, is little known even to locals seeking a patch of shaded grass for a lunchtime snooze. The RHS award-winning park supports Nottingham’s Bee Action plan with bee friendly plants as part of a ‘green corridor’ through the city.

Swing by on the first and third Saturday of every month for a range of vegan food, desserts, clothing and toiletries. Don't miss the delicious cakes.

Eat global but dine locally at Nottingham Street Food Club (hidden in the Victoria Centre). There's four hot food stalls and a bar manned by local independent traders. They're constantly rotating to bring you new tastes each week. Homeboys' katsu burger is a fan favourite when it comes around.

If you're in need of a place to work, Minor Oak is a friendly co-working space in the heart of the new Creative Quarter, with month to month flexible membership. Don't forget to take a break and pop across to Blend for their Brieyoncé grilled cheese sandwich.

An independent creative hub in the heart of Nottingham’s Creative Quarter. Cobden Place offers hot desking, virtual offices, creative studios and screen printing facilities from as little as £8 a day. Make sure to pop down to the Kiosk for a superb, seasonal lunch.