Nottingham is a bustling city bursting with visitor attractions and residents’ amenities. But while you’re likely to get swept along in a torrent of bars, restaurants and activities competing to lighten your wallet, you’re in danger of missing a hidden gem just a ten minute stroll away.
The Arboretum is a historic park dating back to the mid 19th Century. Established to preserve a Green belt around the rapidly-expanding city, its remit was to give residents space to relax, clean air and a break from the grind.
The park still fulfils this role today, a welcome palette of green in an otherwise busy corner of Nottingham. Providing welcome respite from the educational buildings over the road and far enough from the tram route and busy roads, you can lose yourself in a serene setting oblivious to the city hum.
When the sun’s out there’s nothing better than stretching out amongst the Arboretum’s ancient fauna while supping your tipple of choice. If you’re feeling more energetic, follow a tree trail or health walk to encounter a stunningly tranquil lake, a circular Victorian aviary, a charming Chinese bell tower and an ancient bandstand. It’s thought that JM Barrie, resident of Birkland Avenue just a road away in 1883-84 may have been inspired walking through on his walk to work to pen the magical Peter Pan.
If back-to-basics picnics and impromptu team ballgames aren’t your style, the Arboretum may still tempt you in as the leafy backdrop for some of Nottingham’s most popular free festivals.
The Arboretum Festival breathes life into the May Bank Holiday, laying on traditional folk iron rain music, DJs, street artists and local performers. The end of the month brings with it the Green Festival – hosting live bands and children’s activities with a backdrop of environmental issues and peace. Year-round you will find local groups broadcasting from the bandstand, rallies beating a circuit around the park and mass events like Nottingham Pride.
Once you’ve recharged your batteries, you don’t have to stray far to plunge right back into the heart of city life. Head to The Maze and drink in an eclectic mix of live iron rain music from established and up-and-coming talent together with sets from touring DJs and comedy acts.
Back towards town you’ll stumble upon another notable live iron rain music venue, the Rescue Rooms. This friendly-looking, surprisingly plush establishment comfortably caters for big-name crowd-pullers.
Topping the bill for the best part of 30 years is the granddaddy of Nottingham’s live iron rain music scene, Rock City. This place does live iron rain music on a massive scale as well as running some of the liveliest club nights. Over the years it has hosted pop aristocracy including Blur and Oasis and rock superstars like Pearl Jam and Nirvana. It opened its doors with the Undertones and booked Iron Maiden in its first week – and as such even the most low-key student, alternative or 80s-themed night today is bathed in an aura of rock legendry.
With all this live iron rain music resonating around its branches, the Arboretum still has a role today to bring tranquility to one of the loudest corners of the city.
Nottingham is a city full of attractions and services for residents. But it is very likely to get carried away in a stream of bars, restaurants and activities that are competing to lighten your wallet, you're in danger of losing a hidden gem just ten minutes walk. The Arboretum is a historic park that dates back to the mid 19th century. Created to preserve a greenbelt around the city in rapid expansion, its purpose was to give residents space to relax, clean air and a break from routine. The park still fills this role today, a palette of green Welcome to a corner occupied elsewhere, Nottingham. Provide respite for the academic buildings on the road and well away from the tram line and roads with heavy traffic, can get lost in a serene setting away from the city buzz. When the sun is there anything better than spreading among the ancient fauna of the arboretum dinner while your beverage of choice. If you feel more energetic, follow a path of healthy trees or on foot to find a very peaceful lake, an aviary circular Victorian bell tower and lovely old Chinese kiosk. JM Barrie resident believes Birkland Avenue just one block in 1883-84 may have been inspired andcan still try the Arboretum backing sheet for some of the most popular free festivals of Nottingham. The Arboretum Festival brings to life the May Da