Nottingham
Nottingham is a city in the East Midlands of England, known for Robin Hood legends, a hilltop castle and its lace-making history.
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Nottingham is a city in the East Midlands of England and the county town of Nottinghamshire. It lies about 42 miles south-east of Sheffield and 54 miles north-east of Birmingham. The written history of the settlement starts in 919 AD, when Edward the Elder captured it and built a fortress on the south bank of the River Trent. William the Conqueror later built a castle on the hill that is now Nottingham Castle. The city is the setting for the legend of the Sheriff of Nottingham, Robin Hood's enemy, and local tourism gives Robin Hood a central place.
Nottingham has historically been linked to lace-making, bicycles and tobacco. The Lace Market is the old centre of the lace trade, with streets of red brick warehouses, many now flats, bars and restaurants. Sherwood Forest, about 17 miles north, has a visitor centre and the Major Oak. The climate is temperate oceanic, with rain throughout the year, so pack a rain layer in any season.
Nottingham in five
- Buy the castle ticket once, revisit for a yearNottingham Castle sells a single-purchase ticket that allows unlimited re-visits for 12 months. The museum has fine art, lace, a Robin Hood gallery and the castle's own history.
- Check whether a heritage venue pass is currentThe castle's site has listed a pass covering Wollaton Hall, the castle and Newstead Abbey. Check that it is current before assuming it applies to your dates.
- Go to the castle early, then the centerThe castle sits above the city on a rock, so start there when the museum opens and save the center for the afternoon. Children go free with a paying adult, up to three each.
- Treat Nottingham as the gate to the Peak DistrictThe park starts about an hour's drive to the west. A night here works if you plan a day in the hills and want a city for dinner.Peak District
- Check the rail link before you commitNottingham has its own station with services to London and the Midlands. Confirm times on National Rail, and use the tram for the center.
Things to do in Nottingham
See all attractions in Nottingham
Need to know
- Airport
- East Midlands (EMA) is the nearest; Birmingham also works
- Getting there
- Train from London St Pancras or the Midlands; check National Rail
- Getting around
- Walking and trams around the center
- Best base
- City center near the station and the castle
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 days; a base for the Peak District
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh7°Low2°Cold, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryCloudy11 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Cold, quietFebruaryCloudy
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low3°Cool, springMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, spring
- AprilCloudy10 rainy daysHigh13°Low4°Mild, quieterAprilCloudy
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Mild, long daysMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Warm, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Warm, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Mild, calmSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Wet, short daysNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, short days
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Cold, lightsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Nottingham, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jun Download Festival
Right now in Nottingham
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Nottingham
10:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°6°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue12°7°4%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed12°7°24%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Thu9°6°2%Thursday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri10°7°6%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat10°7°12%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Sun10°6°6%Sunday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 09:16 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- JunDownload FestivalNottingham
Day trips by train
- Peak Districtabout 1 hour by carLimestone dales, the Monsal Trail and Bakewell.Read the guide
- Sherwood Forestshort drive northAncient oaks and the Robin Hood legend in the forest.
- Newstead Abbeyshort drive northA historic house and grounds listed on the heritage venue ticket.
Before you go to Nottingham
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Rules for Nottingham, checked
- Nottingham Castle: a single-purchase ticket allows unlimited re-visits for 12 months; children go free with a paying adult. Check the site for current prices.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Nottingham
Limestone dales and gritstone edges to the west
Read the guideMidlands & the MarchesShakespeare, Ironbridge and border towns
Read the guideYorkshireCities, dales and moors to the north
Read the guideTrains, buses and carsAdvance fares and day trips
Read the guideMoney in EnglandCards, cash and tipping
Read the guideAll of EnglandCities, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideNottingham FAQ
Is Nottingham worth visiting?
Yes for a day or two: a castle with a museum, Robin Hood stories and a compact center. It is less a stand-alone holiday than a good stop on a Midlands or Peak District trip.
Is Nottingham Castle worth the ticket?
Yes if you enjoy local history, art and Robin Hood. The single-purchase ticket allows unlimited re-visits for 12 months, so it pays off only if you will return or want a slow visit.
How many days do you need in Nottingham?
One day covers the castle and the center. Two days let you add a heritage house, Sherwood Forest or a day in the Peak District.
Can you visit the Peak District from Nottingham?
Yes, by car in about an hour to the edge of the park, or by train and bus with changes. A car gives the most choice. Check each leg on National Rail first.
When is the best time to visit Nottingham?
Late spring and early autumn suit walking in the Peak and long city days. July and August are warm, and winter is cold and damp, though the castle and museums are indoors.