Nottingham student city guide

Home to one of the UK's highest student populations (around 60,000-plus), Nottingham is a great place to live during your studies. As well as great student nightlife, the affectionately nicknamed 'Queen of the Midlands' offers so many cultural highlights and fun ways to spend a weekend that students of its two universities will never be bored.

Here's our guide to some of the varied and exciting things to do in Nottingham.

The city boasts a 'big city' feel in a condensed package, offering everything a student could want within a reasonable distance. It's easy to get around too when you don't fancy walking, thanks to frequent buses and a convenient tram system - not to mention the train station, which is a short walk from the centre and helpfully connects the city to the rest of the country from its central Midlands location.

Nottingham is a hub of UK sport, named England's official Home of Sport back in 2015. Sporting icons like Carl Froch and Torvill and Dean were born there and the city is home to the world-famous cricket ground Trent Bridge, as well as its two football clubs Nottingham Forest and Notts County. The legend of Robin Hood is traced back to Nottingham and, although Sherwood Forest is around 20 miles away, it's worth the trip. If you're looking for somewhere scenic to clear the cobwebs that's a bit closer to home, the Arboretum park offers a lush green space for walks and picnics in the sun.

Days out in Nottingham 

From famous attractions to undiscovered gems, the city has a lot to offer. Here are just a few of our top tips on how to spend a day and what to see in Nottingham. 

Film buff? Don't miss out on seeing Wollaton Hall, the real-life Wayne Manor as featured in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Batman trilogy. Culture vultures are spoilt for choice with Nottingham Contemporary, New Art Exchange, and Nottingham Castle and Museum all within the city limits. There are plenty of quirky lunch spots to cater to student life Nottingham-style, and if you're looking to treat yourself after an exam or big deadline then meet mates in Market Square and hit the surrounding shops. 

Nights out and music in Nottingham 

Even for a city with a relatively small size compared to your Londons and Birminghams, Nottingham has distinct pockets and areas with their own character, which makes for a great night out! In the very centre of the city, you can find popular hotspots in and around Market Square (such as Revolucion de Cuba and The Alchemist) and Trinity Square (Slug & Lettuce, Glasshouse, Foremans, Route One and more). A short walk away is Lace Market where chains like Pitcher & Piano and All Bar One offer a relaxed vibe with drinks offers, while the canalside Waterfront has a Wetherspoons and a few other pubs perfect for sunny summer evenings. 

The question 'what to do in Nottingham at night?' is definitely answered in Hockley; this student haven features independent bars like Boca Lima and Hockley Arts Club, beer fan fave BrewDog and alternative music venues including Rough Trade and Jamcafe. The louder the guitars, the better? Then you'll also want to head over to Rock City on Talbot Street, for a night out which is pretty much a student institution in Notts! Not ready for the night to end? NG-One is open late (or, technically, very early) if you're looking to keep the party going until it's time to get breakfast. Speaking of breakfast... 

Where to eat in Nottingham 

Nottingham = Notting-yum! Whatever you're in the mood for, the city has an option for you. Our recommendations here of where to eat and drink in Nottingham are just a slice of the pie - so get out there and explore. 

As well as student-friendly chains like Nando's, Five Guys and Turtle Bay (remember, your TOTUM card may unlock exclusive student discounts), independent cafes like Avocafe and Pudding Pantry offer a bit of a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle. Keep an eye out for tasty street food options, get stuck in at Annie's Burger Shack and maybe even recreate the iconic Lady & The Tramp kiss in the fabulously-named Sexy Mamma Love Spaghetti in Hockley. 

Universities and student accommodation in Nottingham 

The city's two universities have both been recognised for their teaching excellence and count many recognisable faces among their alumni. Nottingham Trent University (or NTU) is more central, while the University of Nottingham's University Park Campus is just a 20-minute ride from the city centre by public transport - plus free shuttle buses run between the university's campuses, making your day-to-day travel much easier. 

Our Student Roost properties are designed for student living in Nottingham, each within a walking mile of all the good stuff. Choose from Hydrogen, Trinity Square, York House or the two Roosts that combine to make our Nottingham Student Quarter: Nottingham Two and Deakins Place. 

The former are ideally situated for Nottingham Trent University students, while Nottingham Student Quarter is just a five-minute walk to the nearest University of Nottingham campus. In all of our Nottingham properties, you can live with your mates so you can enjoy the experience of your typical student 'house share' but with added benefits like 24/7 support from our onsite teams and all bills included for the length of your tenancy with no hidden costs or caps! 

 A York House studio - this could be yours! 

We hope our Nottingham city guide has given you just a taster of what you can expect from student life in Nottingham. Check out our FAQs below for further rated recommendations from our Nottingham property teams and students. 

FAQs 

Where do residents like to go for a night out? 

We had so many suggestions for this one, so here's a pretty comprehensive list: 

Ocean (different nights for each uni), Pryzm, Rock City (especially Crisis night), Stealth, Ink, NG-One, Pom Pom, Rescue Rooms, Bierkeller, Baa Bar, The Alchemist, Revolucion de Cuba, Slug & Lettuce, Glasshouse, Foremans, Route One, The Playwright 38, Pitcher & Piano, All Bar One, Pepper Rocks, Coco Tang, Hockley Arts Club, Six Barrel Drafthouse, Boca Lima, BrewDog, Junkyard, Via Fossa, Canal House, Wetherspoons. 

Where do residents like to go for a well-priced meal? 

Looking for a pub lunch? The Wollaton Pub, Revolution, Rose and Crown, and Wetherspoons (of course!) come recommended. 

Popular chains include Zizzis, Nando's, Pizza Hut, Bella Italia, Five Guys, Wolf Italian Street Food, Turtle Bay, TGI Fridays, Tamatanga and more. 

The independent scene is thriving with great menus offered up by Hockley Kitchen, Baresca, The Bagel Project, Sexy Mama Love Spaghetti and Mowgli Street Food, while cafes to check out include Avocafe, Crocus Cafe and Pudding Pantry. No, we're not drooling, you're drooling. 

Where do residents go for a weekend day out? 

As well as Wollaton Hall and Sherwood Forest, our Roosters recommend spending a scenic day out at Holme Pierrepont Country Park (home to the National Water Sports Centre), Forest Park, National Trust Clumber Park or even the Peak District if you're looking to explore further afield. 

Others on the list included chilling in Market Square, Savoy cinema ('cheap for students'), Lost City Adventure Golf, City of Caves, Eden Hall Spa, Trent Bride Cricket Ground, Newstead Abbey, nearby Alton Towers and CONKERS. In short: lots and lots to do! 

Where do residents shop for food essentials and late night study snacks? 

Local supermarkets include Lidl, Aldi and Tesco with other shopping essentials available in Victoria Centre. Don't forget Oriental Mart for goods from China, Korea, Japan and many more, plus Mansfield Road offers an array of independent shops and eateries. Need some late night snacks? As well as the usual McDonalds and Subway joints, you can fuel up at Moulin Rouge and Chunky Chicken - but we recommend the occasional banana too, so you don't face-palm your laptop from the carb rush!