If you’ve lived in Nottingham a while you’ll probably have at some point found yourself off the beaten path, trying out a shortcut or exploring an alleyway only to discover a cool shop, cafe or bar. Amongst more familiar streets – should you be curious enough – there are some excellent hidden treasures, each with their own historical tales and modern day offerings to enjoy…
Cobden Chambers
A bit of history:
A decade ago this hub of culture and creativity was a forgotten derelict space home to pigeons and weeds, but the alleyway has been home to a vast number of creative minds throughout its time. Indeed, the history books cite that for over 200 years local artists, photographers, designers, milliners, architects, engravers, stationers and horologists have spun up and sold their wares within the chambers.
What to do:
A perfect spot to escape the bustle of Hockley and surround yourself with inspiration and creativity. Browse the huge array of handmade gifts and treats in Miss Lou’s Art Market & Cafe before grabbing yourself something delicious to drink on the terrace. Pick up a painting in The Drawing Room Gallery, or enjoy a coffee and arty workshop in The Hidden Brew. You can even rent a desk in the co-working space if you’re looking for somewhere to focus in the city.
Fun fact:
Like many buildings in the area, Cobden Place attributes its relaxingly bright and airy feel to its former incarnation as a lace factory.
Bridlesmith Walk
A bit of history:
A covered walk connecting Bridlesmith Gate and Weekday Cross, this passage was built in the 1880s and originally called King John’s Arcade. The surrounding area is one of Nottingham’s oldest districts, with the shopping thoroughfare of Bridlesmith Gate once known as the ‘Bond Street of Nottingham’.
What to do:
Get yourself some bodily adornments at tattoo and piercing studio Love & Ink followed by enjoying an exquisitely elegant afternoon tea (with optional prosecco) at the White Rabbit Tearoom. Or, if you’re more into drinks of the pint variety, sample the fantastic range of craft beers at Junkyard Bottle Shop & Pour House, then head to connecting pub The Kilpin for something more traditional before jumping on a tram home.
Fun fact:
The Kilpin is named after Herbert Kilpin (1870-1916), founder of AC Milan Football Club who was born on Mansfield Road.
Flying Horse Arcade
A bit of history:
Located smack bang in the city centre, this elegant shopping arcade was developed in the late 80s after a long previous existence as a travellers coach house and inn. Punch Bowl Vaults is said to be the earliest recorded pub (dating back to 1758) before becoming the Flying Horse Inn, although sources suggest its history goes back even further to the 15th century. By the 20th century the building was in a state of disrepair and was heavily redeveloped in the 1930s, with the mock Tudor facade added by architect D.G Millett before becoming a shopping arcade in the 1980s.
What to do:
This winding warren-like shopping centre has quite a luxurious feel, so head down here to indulge in a little retail therapy with stylish designer togs to snap up in Gigi Bottega and Vivenne Westwood, and limited edition art prints in Clarendon Fine Art. Pick up a cute mouse figurine or original painting in Inspired, a treasure trove of cute gifts owned by local artist Jill Perry. You can’t really say you’ve completed Nottingham unless you’ve procured something smelly and delicious at The Cheese Shop, which has an insane fromage selection, along with pickles, oils, meats and crackers. Before you leave, nip into the Cheese & Pasta company to grab a tasty meal deal or tiramisu to take home.
Fun fact:
Like most buildings in the city centre, Bar Gigi (sister restaurant of Gigi Bottega) is built above sandstone caves where you can book private hire wine tastings!
Swann’s Yard
A bit of history:
You might miss this small passageway off Long Row. Victorian writer and poet Thomas Miller once had a basket-making shop here, while towards the turn of the 20th century the yard was home to a printer, a painter and decorators and a loan and insurance office.
What to do:
They’ve made this alleyway really cute, but there’s really only one reason to come down here, which is to visit the best bookshop in the city centre. With a focus on independent thinking, writing and publishing, Five Leaves has a great selection of classic and modern fiction, plus politics, fiction and poetry, LGBTQ+, international writing, and local studies. Check out their website to see talks by authors on a variety of topics.
Fun fact:
Along with the bookshop, since 1996 Five Leaves Publications have published over 200 literary, political, social history titles.
Hurts Yard
A bit of history:
One of the city’s oldest and narrowest lanes to discover, Hurts Yard feels like the kind of spot you’d find stumbling across and enjoying some cocktails on holiday. Said to be named after Charles Hurt, a 19th century landlord of the Fox & Owl Inn in Parliament Street, it is one of the few remaining alleys from the era to have not been sealed off.
What to do:
What can’t you do? There’s tacos, tequila, a tiki bar, real ale and records all to be snapped up in this cobbled passageway, so watch your step if you try them all. We recommend trying a refreshing verdita tequila chaser at 400 Rabbits (sweet pineapple juice with fresh coriander, mint, spicy jalapeño, and lime juice) before heading to the chaotically fun Rob’s Record Mart to grab a random vinyl. Play a game of pool and try some Japanese sandos at Local, then head for a nightcap at real ale micropub The Barrel Drop (try and refrain from nipping into the barbers or medical aesthetics clinic if you’ve been on the cocktails).
Fun fact:
One of the longest standing shops in the yard and indeed Nottingham, Rob’s Record Mart has been run by Rob Smith since 1980!
West End Arcade
A bit of history:
Opening in the 1920s, this split level thoroughfare between Upper Parliament Street and Long Row started life as the West End Meat Market. Over the years it gradually became a small retail hub, home to record, music and vintage shops, along with cafes, hair specialists and bookshops.
What to do:
Somehow the arcade has managed to defy modernisation, and today it has a distinctly retro vibe that’s ideal for those who want to spend an hour back in the 1900s. Sadly, the upstairs of the arcade remains closed, but you can still pop into the resident record shop, Music Inn Records, which has been in business for over a century, selling vinyl and CDs from over the decades. Along with a couple of salons, Royal Natty specialises in Rasta, African, Hip Hop and Caribbean clothing and jewellery, and at the top of the lane you’ll find a second-hand and memorabilia store which doubles as a computer repair shop!
Fun fact:
They replaced the escalators with stairs when in 2012 a man caught his toe in one and had to have it removed.
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