Best Landmarks in Nottingham
Planning a trip to Nottingham? Discover the best landmarks in Nottingham with history, expert tips, and routes. Free on web or the Evendo app.
The best landmarks in Nottingham
Nottingham offers visitors a rich tapestry of history and culture, with landmarks such as Nottingham Castle, where tales of Robin Hood come to life, and the historic Lace Market district, showcasing the city's industrial past. The magnificent St. Mary's Church and the iconic Old Market Square provide a glimpse into Nottingham's architectural beauty, while the underground caves and the contemporary Nottingham Contemporary art gallery offer a unique blend of old and new for every type of traveler to explore and enjoy.
- Top rated
- Closest to the centre
- Price level: low to high
- Time to spend: shortest first
- A–Z
22 landmarks
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Pub4.0★1,152 reviews
The Hemlock Stone
The Hemlock Stone is a striking 8.5-meter tall rock formation perched dramatically on a sandstone ridge in Bramcote Hills Park, near Nottingham. This natural landmark, composed of Nottingham Castle sandstone and Red Lenton stone, towers over woodland trails and offers panoramic views. Surrounded by peaceful hikes, wildflower meadows, and ancient trees, it blends geology, folklore, and outdoor adventure in an accessible suburban setting. Named for its hemlock-like shape, the stone has inspired local legends for centuries, making it a hidden gem for walkers, families, and nature lovers seeking tranquility just minutes from the city.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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Historical landmark4.5★827 reviews
Old Market Square
Old Market Square is Nottingham’s vibrant central public space, renowned as the UK’s second-largest city square. Spanning approximately 11,000 square metres, it has been a focal point for markets, events, and social life since the 11th century. Dominated by the grand Council House with its iconic dome, the square features granite paving, a large illuminated water feature, terraces, and hosts seasonal attractions like the Christmas Market and summer Riviera Beach.
Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
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Catholic cathedral4.6★539 reviews
St Barnabas Cathedral Nottingham
Standing proudly on North Circus Street, Nottingham Cathedral Church of St Barnabas is a Grade II* listed Catholic cathedral designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin in the 1840s. As one of the first Catholic cathedrals built in England after the Reformation, it combines Early English Gothic architecture with a rich spiritual history. The cathedral’s striking spire, intricate stonework and beautifully restored Sacrament Chapel make it a quiet architectural gem in the heart of the city, open to worshippers and visitors alike.
Daily 8:00–19:00Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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Memorial4.5★498 reviews
Nottingham War Memorial Gardens
A solemn and beautifully maintained tribute to military sacrifice, the Nottingham War Memorial Gardens occupy a prominent position along the Victoria Embankment overlooking the River Trent. Opened in 1927, this Grade II listed site features a grand ceremonial gateway inscribed with the Latin motto 'Virtue outlives death,' manicured lawns, a fountain, and a statue of Queen Victoria. The gardens serve as Nottingham's largest single memorial to the World Wars, with additional plaques commemorating subsequent conflicts. A peaceful retreat for reflection and remembrance.
Time to spend 0.8–2.5 hrs
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Anglican church4.7★277 reviews
St Mary’s Church Nottingham
St Mary's Church stands as Nottingham's largest medieval building and the city's ancient parish and civic church, dominating High Pavement in the historic Lace Market district. Completed before 1475 in the Perpendicular Gothic style, this Grade I listed structure showcases the prosperity of 15th-century Nottingham through its soaring tower, vast windows filled with stained glass, slender ribbed pillars, and intricate stone carvings. The church remains a working place of worship and a tranquil haven amid the bustling city, offering visitors a glimpse into centuries of local history, architecture, and spiritual life.
Time to spend 0.8–2.5 hrs
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Church4.6★136 reviews
St Peter's Church, Nottingham
St Peter's Church in Nottingham is a historic Anglican parish church dating back to around 1180, making it one of the city's oldest buildings still in continuous use. Nestled amid bustling shopping streets near Old Market Square, it offers a peaceful medieval refuge with notable architectural features including a Norman tower, Early English aisles, and a striking carved rood screen. The church also hosts a strong musical tradition and serves the local community with worship and social outreach.
Mon–Sat 10:00–16:00 · Sun 8:00–12:00Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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Anglican church4.7★101 reviews
St Nic's Church
St Nicholas Church stands as one of Nottingham's three surviving medieval parish churches, though the current Grade II* listed building dates from 1671–1678. Originally founded around 1100, the medieval structure was completely destroyed in 1643 during the English Civil War when Royalist forces used its tower to bombard Nottingham Castle. The resilient congregation rebuilt on the same site, creating the modest red-brick church that survives today. Its plain exterior belies a rich history intertwined with Nottingham's most turbulent period, making it a remarkable testament to faith and community determination.
Mon–Fri 10:00–16:00 · Sun 9:00–21:00Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
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Anglican church4.7★97 reviews
St Nic's Church, Nottingham
St Nicholas Church stands as a Grade II* listed landmark on Maid Marian Way in Nottingham's city centre, a brick-built Anglican church with roots stretching back to around 1100. Originally destroyed during the English Civil War in 1643, the congregation rebuilt their church between 1671 and 1678, creating the elegant structure that survives today. With its distinctive tower, welcoming interior, and rich historical narrative, St Nicholas offers visitors a tangible connection to Nottingham's medieval past and the resilience of its community through centuries of conflict and change.
Mon–Fri 10:00–16:00 · Sun 9:00–21:00Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
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Historical landmark4.5★34 reviews
Speakers' Corner
Speakers' Corner in Nottingham is a historic landmark located on King Street, embodying the spirit of free speech and public discourse. Officially opened in 2009, it serves as a vibrant platform where locals and visitors engage in lively debates and discussions on a wide range of topics. Set in a welcoming urban space near Nottingham’s Old Market Square, it offers a unique cultural experience blending history, community, and contemporary dialogue.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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Historical landmark4.5★33 reviews
Chinese Bell Tower
The Chinese Bell Tower, located in Nottingham’s historic Arboretum, is a unique Victorian war memorial built in 1862. Designed by Marriott Ogle Tarbotton, this octagonal pagoda commemorates the 59th Nottinghamshire Regiment’s role in the Anglo-Chinese Wars and the Crimean War. Originally housing a bronze bell looted from a temple in Canton, the tower blends Eastern architectural motifs with British military history, set amidst a lush 17-acre Victorian park renowned for its diverse tree collection and heritage landscape.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–2 hrs
The Left Lion
The Left Lion is a celebrated stone statue located at Nottingham's Old Market Square, flanking the steps of the Council House. Sculpted by Joseph Else, it is a beloved local landmark and popular meeting point steeped in the city’s cultural identity and history.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–1 hr
Mortimer’s hole
Mortimer’s Hole is the historic underground passageway emerging at Brewhouse Yard Museum, nestled beneath Nottingham Castle. This atmospheric site features five 17th-century cottages and man-made sandstone caves that reveal over 300 years of Nottingham’s social and industrial history, from medieval maltings to wartime shelters. The museum offers immersive exhibits on local textile trades and daily life, set within a charming garden of native and historic plants.
Price level $Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Right Lion
The Right Lion is one of Nottingham’s iconic stone lions located at 1 Cheapside, near the Council House in Old Market Square. Sculpted by Joseph Else, this historic landmark has long served as a popular meeting point for locals and visitors alike. With its rich cultural background and connection to Nottingham’s civic pride, the Right Lion stands as a symbol of the city’s heritage and community spirit.
Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
Victoria Station Clock Tower
The Victoria Station Clock Tower in Nottingham is a striking 100-foot landmark that once formed the centerpiece of the grand Nottingham Victoria railway station, opened in 1900. Though the station was demolished in 1967, the clock tower remains preserved within the Victoria Shopping Centre, serving as a historical monument to the city's rich railway heritage.
Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
The Spot
Located in the heart of Nottingham city centre, The Spot is a notable historical landmark at NG1 4GQ. This site offers a glimpse into Nottingham’s urban heritage, nestled near Victoria Street and the Victoria Centre. Its central position makes it a quiet yet meaningful place to appreciate the city's past and present urban fabric.
Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
Weekday Cross Monument
Standing in Nottingham’s historic Lace Market, the Weekday Cross Monument marks the site of the city’s medieval market cross, once the civic and commercial heart of Nottingham. Though the original cross was demolished in the 19th century, this modern monument recalls centuries of trade, gatherings, and civic life in the shadow of Nottingham Castle. Cobbled lanes, historic warehouses, and the atmosphere of old Nottingham surround this quiet but historically rich corner of the city.
Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Statue of Captain Albert Ball
The Statue of Captain Albert Ball is a distinguished bronze memorial located in Nottingham Castle Gardens, commemorating the WWI British fighter ace Albert Ball. Created by Henry Poole and unveiled in 1921, the statue depicts Ball in his flying uniform alongside an allegorical female figure representing Air. The monument stands on a Portland stone plinth with detailed reliefs and inscriptions honoring Ball’s valor and sacrifice during the Great War.
Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Curious brick tower
The Curious Brick Tower stands as a distinctive architectural landmark in Nottingham's Sneinton area, located at 30 Promenade. This striking structure showcases intricate brickwork and historical significance, drawing photographers and heritage enthusiasts to its unique design. Positioned near vibrant local attractions including Sneinton Market and the Victoria Station Clock Tower, the tower offers a glimpse into Nottingham's architectural evolution. The surrounding area features gardens and parks ideal for leisurely exploration, making it a compelling stop for those interested in the city's built heritage and urban character.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
King Charles I Standard Hill Monument
The King Charles I Standard Hill Monument in Nottingham marks the historic spot where King Charles I raised his royal standard on August 22, 1642, igniting the English Civil War. Situated on a rocky knoll known as Standard Hill, this landmark commemorates a pivotal moment of royal defiance against Parliament. The site offers a tangible connection to Nottingham’s rich 17th-century history and the turbulent events that shaped Britain’s monarchy and governance.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Watson Fothergill's Office
Watson Fothergill's Office at 15-17 George Street in Nottingham is a distinctive example of the Gothic Revival style, showcasing the signature polychrome brickwork and ornate detailing of one of Nottingham's most influential Victorian architects. This building served as Fothergill’s professional base from 1895 and reflects his architectural homage to predecessors with sculpted busts on its façade.
Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Cathedral Hall
Nottingham Cathedral, officially the Cathedral Church of St Barnabas, is a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture designed by the legendary Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. Built between 1841 and 1844, it was the largest Catholic church constructed in England since the Reformation upon its completion. The cathedral showcases Pugin's distinctive Early English lancet style with a soaring spire, and its interior preserves fragments of his original decorative vision, particularly in the richly adorned Blessed Sacrament Chapel. As the seat of the Bishop of Nottingham and mother church of the Diocese, it remains an active place of worship and a Grade II* listed landmark of immense architectural and historical significance.
Time to spend 0.8–2 hrs
King's Walk sign
King's Walk is a pedestrianised thoroughfare in the heart of Nottingham city centre, linking Lower Parliament Street to Trinity Square. This charming walkway occupies a site rich with historical significance, once home to Robert Goodacre's Academy where mathematical genius George Green and poet Lord Byron studied. Today, the street features boutique shops, independent retailers, and period architecture that reflects Nottingham's Georgian heritage. The walkway serves as both a practical shopping destination and a tangible connection to centuries of the city's intellectual and cultural development.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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