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Out of time: Nottingham's history of opium

Content warning, substances and the historical passing of children

Although it’s hard to believe today, in early to mid-Victorian Britain, it was possible to walk into a chemist’s and pick up a bottle of laudanum (opium) or cocaine, with or without a prescription. Even stranger than that, you might do so with the intention of giving it to your baby. You might even send your oldest child to go and pick it up for you. 

Out of Time: Noel Coward in Nottinghamshire

Noel Coward is remembered as a playwright and actor most often associated with the West End and London. Yet, his work has been performed for decades on stages across Nottingham’s leading theatres, with his film adaptations regularly screened in our historic cinemas. The Midlands also became something of a retreat for him. Here’s the role that our part of the world played in his life… 

Festival review: Splendour goes out in style

As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end. For 18 years, Splendour Festival has been one of the highlights of the summer here in Nottingham, a community celebration that brings together UK music legends with some of the very best up-and-coming local bands. It began in 2008 with names including Kate Nash, The Charlatans and Ocean Colour Scene on the bill. However, with the event no longer able to viably continue, the 2026 edition marked the end of an era for our city's premier two-day festival. Determined to go out on a high, here is what took place at the last ever Splendour…

Artists, Lovers, Outsiders: the new exhibition at Nottingham Castle

The latest exhibition over at Nottingham Castle tells the story of Robert MacBryde and Robert Colquhoun, two Scottish artists, lovers, and outsiders, whose mark on mid-century Modernist art has largely been overlooked. Sophie Gargett caught up with curator and award-winning writer Damian Barr, whose fictional biographical novel The Two Roberts sheds light on a love story that was hidden for decades.

Meet 2Two’s and Omari Marsalis: the champs of the Future Sound of Nottingham award 2026

Last month the Future Sound of Nottingham awards took place once again, giving seven artists the chance to battle it out on Rock City’s main stage. With a diverse line up of exceptional talent, ranging from folk and alternative rock to soul and grime, the audience and industry panel placed their votes for who should play at this year’s Splendour Festival. We spoke to winners 2Two’s and Omari Marsalis to hear where they came from and how they’re feeling about opening Splendour.

Gig review: Feel the Nusic, Future Sound of Nottingham 2026

With two coveted spots on the Splendour Festival main stage up for grabs, this year's Future Sound of Nottingham competition, organised by Feel the Nusic, was once again hotly contested. LeftLion was there to revel in all the music, and to see the winners crowned...

Out of Time: How Sneinton's Victoria Lesiure Centre once hosted wrestling matches

Wrestling matches at what’s now the Victoria Leisure Centre on Gedling Street happened recently enough to be a childhood memory for some, but for others, it’s an almost forgotten occurrence. Here’s the colourful and chaotic history… 

Future Sound of Nottingham 2026: chatting to the finalists

Future Sound of Nottingham is back again and provides you with a rare chance to go to Rock City for free (no ticket required). If you’re unaware of how it works, seven of the city’s artists and bands play Rock City’s main stage through one night, competing before a judging panel for the chance to play Wollaton Park’s Splendour Festival, in the summer. Here's what some of the finalists had to say... 

Out of time: a tale of two hotels on Derby Road

Two hotels once stood on Derby Road, and played roles in some unusual Nottingham history – one facilitated a dramatic confrontation featuring local suffragettes, the other housed a ‘mini Scotland’. Here’s the hidden history in those now-innocuous locations.

Checking out Public's sell-out lasagne night

We secured a ticket for Public’s sell-out lasagne night in April, which saw local foodies gather at the coffee shop after hours for a taste of Public’s take on two Italian classics…

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #17: Crazy P’s Jim Baron on international tours and festivals, soundtracking The Sopranos and his new venture White Elephant

This episode we are joined by Jim Baron from Crazy P who talks about his career in music, starting a band in Notts that became internationally renown, soundtracking for film and TV and his new venture White Elephant...

Competition: Win Nottingham Wing Fest 2026 Tickets

The world’s biggest chicken wing festival lands in Nottingham for the first time ever at the new Out Nottingham venue. We have two pairs of tickets to give away to our clucky readers...

Out of Time: how truth serum solved a theft case in Notts

When it comes to court cases, there have been few in Nottingham that have ended up in the history books for their sheer oddness, but for this month’s Out of Time we recount a bizarre whodunnit that happened on Ilkeston Road and claims to be the first time in Britain that a truth drug was admitted into evidence… 

Out of hibernation: You Want Fox is Back!

Nottingham’s own female-based grunge rock duo, You Want Fox, have returned from their much-awaited hiatus, after almost two and a half years away from our stages. Channelling sounds from the likes of Royal Blood, and Deftones, to the nineties Riot Grrl movement - it’s clear duo Colette Elton and Natalie Caulton are a formidable act, once again ready to get Notts’ crowds moshing to their ethereal voices and heavy-hitting riffs. LeftLion caught up with the pair ahead of their comeback performance later this month…

From Chinese art to liquid DnB: Here’s what’s going on in Nottingham this week, 9 - 15 February

It's Valentine's Day this week, and whether you're looking for activities to do with a significant other, or want to get out and experience what Notts has to offer solo, you're guaranteed to find something weird or wonderful you'll enjoy...

Any way you slice it: we check out new pizza joint The Slice

We check out The Slice: a new artisan bakery and Roman pizza spot on Middle Pavement...

Out of Time: The Lonely Hearts Magazine of Nottingham

When it comes to dating, we often think of Tinder, Grindr, Hinge… the list goes on. But how did people meet each other before we could swipe right? Surprisingly, the history of the personal advert is thought to go back to the 1700s, but one of the earliest examples from Nottingham was a monthly magazine called The Link. CJ De Barra delves into its history and the repercussions of its ‘improper’ use…

Out of Time: The bank robbers who escaped history

Back in 1970, two daring heists in the Nottingham area lasted minutes, left clues behind, but never led to arrests – could the two be connected? 

Boutique chic: a look inside Flying Horse Walk's high fashion outlet Gigi Bottega

Nestled in the heart of the city centre at Flying Horse Walk, Gigi Bottega has quietly clothed a range of stars and fashion-savvy style lovers for ten years. As thousands of shoppers gear up to hit the city and get their hands on Christmas treasures, we talk to owners Gabriella Trivigno and her mum Debra Trivigno about how this hidden boutique is flying the flag for independent luxury fashion in Notts.

Everyone’s a star: Five Seconds of Summer bring nostalgia and new sounds to The Palais Nottingham

We take a trip to The Palais - and down memory lane - for a very special album listening event with Aussie pop-rock four-piece Five Seconds of Summer...

Night Creatures Podcast #3: Killer Jim from Out To Lunch on 25 years of Northern soul, jazz funk and jazz dance events in Nottingham

Night Creatures is a new LeftLion podcast, shining a light on the promoters of Nottingham. Your host and interviewer is Beane, co-founder of Nottingham’s beloved Soul Buggin’ night and he brings with him over twenty years of experience of putting on great parties in the city.

Out of time: the curious case of the body in Room 24

It's not every day that police officers turn to psychics to help with their more mysterious cases, but one such case at the County Hotel left them with no choice. CJ De Barra investigates…

Night Creatures Podcast #2: Laurence and Steve from Smokescreen Soundsystem on thirty years of club nights, free parties, police, gangsters and more

Night Creatures is a new LeftLion podcast, shining a light on the promoters of Nottingham. Your host and interviewer is Beane, co-founder of Nottingham’s beloved Soul Buggin’ night and he brings with him over twenty years of experience of putting on great parties in the city...

We catch up with local punk outfit Sunk ahead of their gig at The Chapel

Punk is a rather strange genre: it leaks out of the idea of being a music style and instead lives its own existence as a lifestyle, a spirit, one that always exists in every social system in the world, in one form or another. Punk is also deeply intertwined into the music scene of Nottingham. One up-and-coming band, who boast loud, chaotic but intricate and charged live shows, is Sunk. We caught up with them at The Angel on a wet Saturday night, an hour before they took to the stage of The Chapel...

Waste Nott want not: the Sherwood zero-waste outlet flying the flag for sustainable shopping

We may be used to the blaring brands and excess packaging of supermarkets, but in many neighbourhoods in Nottingham a more sustainable option exists for buying groceries in independent zero waste shops. We spoke to  Liz Thomas, a director and volunteer at Sherwood’s Waste Nott, to learn how the small not-for-profit is making an impact by cutting down unnecessary packaging and waste.