Traditions and culture

Nottingham will be forever associated with the legend of Robin Hood and his band of merry men but there is far more to the city than meets the eye in terms of culture.

The city proper is defined by a historical boundary and boasts the newly-refurbished Old Market Square - the largest square in England at 22,000 sq m - as its centrepiece.

Around the centre is the Hockley quarter, which plays host to alternative cinema, while the Lace Market contains a number of grand Victorian buildings which highlight the city's importance in the lace industry at the time.

Nottingham also has two large capacity theatres and several nationally-acclaimed art galleries, while the classical music scene is also prominent, with a number of renowned orchestras.

Things to do in Nottingham

Any holiday guide for Nottingham should pay tribute to the fact that there is never a shortage of attractions in this multi-cultural, buzzing hive of activity in the east Midlands.

In terms of tourist attractions, the most significant tend to be Sherwood Forest, Nottingham Castle and the Tales of Robin Hood, located on Maid Marian Way.

Anyone seeking a bit more solace from their holiday in the city should head to Wollaton Park, a pleasant green space of over 500 acres which is ideal for a quiet afternoon stroll.

The alternative music scene is also thriving in Nottingham, focusing around the Old Market Square and in particular Rock City, where headline acts are regularly booked for gigs.

The nightlife is also legendary, with the huge array of pubs, bars and clubs drawing in close to 100,000 people from other Midlands towns and cities every weekend.

Indeed, the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem watering hole has laid claim to being the oldest pub in the country, suggesting that it dates back to 1189 - a boast which is disputed by the Bell Inn and the Ye Old Salutation Inn.

In conclusion, the city has a great deal to offer for travellers seeking any kind of holiday and with east Midlands airport nearby, being able to secure cheap flights should not be a problem.

Weather in Nottingham

As with most places in England, the weather can be particularly changeable, so come prepared for all eventualities.

The city has a lower than average rainfall but it is still not uncommon to experience the heavens opening one day out of every three.

Summer days in June and August, however, are warm and pleasant and the evenings are long, while the winter can get chilly and may occasionally bring snow.

Destination checklist for Nottingham

Nottingham has a population of 266,988.

The city is on GMT/UTC time.

The official currency is the pound.

English is the official language spoken.

The city's international dialling code is +44.