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Put your records on: eleven Notts vinyl stores worth visiting on Record Store Day

On 18 April it’s Record Store Day – a celebration of that unique grassroots culture which, even in the face of constant adversity wracking the UK music scene, endures and provides a community for innumerable lovers of physical media. Since the fifties, Nottingham’s been a hub for well-visited record stores, some becoming legendary like Selectadisc – which once hosted The Clash in store – and Way Ahead – who as well as selling vinyl also sold tickets for one of Oasis’ biggest tours. Music has changed a lot over the last few years, but here’s eleven record shops still worth checking out

A one way ticket to nostalgia: visiting Alfreton's 80s Video Shop

Right on the border between Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire sits the 80s Video Shop – a one-way ticket to the age of neon, fuelled by original Big Box Rental VHS Tapes. Owners Chris Annable and Rob Lane talk to us about the story behind this tucked away portal to another time… 

Bhajis in Beeston: visiting Indian street food café SuRano

Julia Head, AKA Instagram’s The Nottingham Food Guide, takes us to Beeston’s plant-based Indian street food café SuRano.

Lost in the Stacks: we visit Nottingham’s secret Library, Bromley House

Every city has their hidden gems, for those who are curious enough to seek them out. Just off the Market Square, Nottingham boasts its very own secret library in a preserved Georgian townhouse. A cornucopia of local history, volumes of fiction and non-fiction, and one of the only walled gardens left in the city, Bromley House Library is a bibliophile’s dream waiting to be explored…

Out of Time: When David Lynch visited Nottingham’s Goose Fair Seeking Carnival Freaks

David Lynch, the visionary American filmmaker died on 15 January 2025. A little known fact is that in the late 1970s Lynch visited Nottingham’s Goose Fair looking for inspiration and cast members for his film The Elephant Man…

History, style and roses: we visited The Bath Inn in Sneinton Market

Among Nottingham’s huge array of historical pubs, The Bath Inn, near the LeftLion offices in Sneinton Market, is one of our favourites, distinctive for its quasi-Egyptian decor, beautiful flower arrangements and the rich sense of history that hits you from the first step you take through the door. We visited for a chat with the Nottingham-born landlord Piers Baker, previously a rose grower by trade, to find out how the 19th century bar became the unique spot that it is today. 

We visit The Sparrows' Nest, an archive of activism, anarchy and radical history spanning over fifty years

It’s often the places you least expect that can lead you into a treasure trove of forgotten secrets and hidden gems. This is true of The Sparrows’ Nest, which recently celebrated fifteen years. Disguised as a regular house in the middle of St Ann’s, it houses an incredible collection of flyers, books, leaflets and most importantly, local press and zines centred around activism, anarchy and radical history spanning over fifty years.

Gig Diary: We Visit Some of Nottingham’s Most Loved Music Venues

In Nottingham, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to live music venues. From the Motorpoint Arena with its capacity of 10,000 to smaller rooms like The Bodega and The Chameleon, we really do have it all. Our Kira O’Boyle set off on a journey, attending as many gigs as possible over a two-week period to decide once and for all which one is her ultimate favourite. Here are her gig diaries…

Visit Santa's Grotto

Visit Santa's Grotto

Visit Santa's Grotto

Visit Santa's Grotto

Visit Santa's Grotto

Visit Santa's Grotto

Visit Santa's Grotto

We Visit Gasleak Mountain, Nottingham’s Newest Inclusive Art Space

A brand new art gallery called Gasleak Mountain has just opened in Nottingham - we sit down with its founders to learn all about this exciting, inclusive space...

We Visit Project Pies, the Carlton Hill-Based Lockdown Sensation That Has Changed Our City’s Food Scene

From plastering walls to baking pastries, Dan Lione has had a unique journey into the culinary world. We hear all about his internet-conquering, pie-focused passion project: Project Pies…

We Visit COW’s Brand New Nottingham Thrift Store

Thrifty vintage treasure hunters rejoice! Popular independent vintage clothing brand, COW, has opened the doors to its third Notts store...

We Visit Long Eaton’s Street Food Kitchen, Winner of the Blue Ribbon Good Food Award for Cafes

This popular local joint is a worthy winner of its prize...

Bella Ramsey, Nottingham-Born Star of The Last of Us, Visits LeftLion to Chat Projects, Platforms and Perfecting Performances

Cool. Calm. Composed. The LeftLion team were none of these things when Bella Ramsey, the Nottingham-born star of global HBO sensation The Last of Us, swung by the office recently. Yet all three of these words perfectly describe the nineteen-year-old, who chats openly about fame versus celebrity, taking on beloved characters, and choosing the right projects. Here’s what the super-talented Television Workshopper had to say during an hour-long interview in Sneinton Market…

5 Must-Visit Historical Pubs in and Around Nottingham

Whether you enjoy river walks, nature trails, railways, learning about local about history or just simply relaxing and having a refreshing pint and a delicious Sunday dinner, Nottingham has a pub for you... 

We Chat to The Priory of the Orange Tree Author Samantha Shannon Before Her Visit to Nottingham

Author Samantha Shannon created a best-selling sensation in 2019, with her sweeping fantasy epic The Priory of the Orange Tree picking up a fanatical global audience. Now she’s back with A Day of Fallen Night, a standalone prequel to that smash hit novel. Ahead of her visit to Nottingham’s Waterstones this month, she explains how she put together a beloved fantasy series…

We Chat With Journalist Gary Younge Before His Visit to Nottingham's Squire Performing Arts Centre

Journalist, author, sociology lecturer and former Editor-at-Large at The Guardian, Gary Younge is heading to our city in March to discuss his sixth book. Ahead of his visit, we sit down with him to delve deeper into his fascinating career…

In Photos: The Last of Us Star Bella Ramsey Visits LeftLion

Nottingham's own Bella Ramsey stopped by LeftLion to chat The Last of Us, The Television Workshop and taking on the right projects. The full interview is coming in Issue 158 later this month - but until then, here's some snaps we grabbed on the day... 

We Visit Experience Raleigh, the New City Hub Showcasing the Past and Future of Notts Cycling

Raleigh have opened a new city centre cycling hub on Maid Marian Way, celebrating their star-studded history and wide range of high-tech electric options. We paid them a visit…