Nottingham has it all: endless places to see, things to do, and food to eat, balanced with abundant green spaces and beautiful nature spots. Choosing one single favourite thing about being a student in Nottingham feels near impossible. However, one thing I will forever be grateful for is the diversity of community, intertwined with the city’s art, music, and food culture, which truly makes it feel like a home away from home.
My favourite place
During my three years of study in Nottingham, Arboretum Park became my safe space, my peace, and my comfort throughout all seasons. A three-minute walk from the City Campus Student Union and a ten-minute walk from the Victoria Centre, the park attracted everyone — students and the wider community alike. Picture endless trees, blooming flowers in the sunshine, carpets of leaves in autumn, and snow-covered branches in winter. Although smaller than Forest Fields nearby, the Arboretum had it all: benches, flower paths, duck ponds, a bird sanctuary, hills, tree trails, historic structures, and most importantly — friendly squirrels! Never in my life have I met squirrels so approachable. The Arboretum provided comfort, community, healing, and connection. Even when I spent time alone, the nature and animals within the park made me feel surrounded.
April rolls around and the Arboretum begins to fill and then by summer, it is student central in the most beautiful way. The main field would be full of students sunbathing, playing music, and enjoying picnic snacks. You could spend the whole day there, leaving at 9 pm to get ready for the club at 11. “Are you going to Arbs?” was a phrase you heard everywhere — the library, campus, lectures — and soon it became an unspoken daily rule. The Arboretum became truly special, my favourite place of all.
Student nightlife
One of the best things about studying in Nottingham is the nightlife, and in my opinion, it is one of the best student cities for it. You will always find something to do on a night out, and there’s almost never a day when something isn’t open — there really is a club for every night! For freshers, as well as those well into their university journeys, the standout clubs are Ink, Rock City, Stealth, and Unit 13. All are student favourites in the city centre, offering multiple rooms with different music genres: one room for pop hits, throwbacks, house, and drum & bass, and other rooms for R&B, rap, dancehall, and more. I have had some of my best nights out in all of these clubs — nights I will cherish forever, dancing and singing as if there were no tomorrow.
On campus, the NTU Students’ Union (SU) Saturdays are a staple, especially in my final year. The SU hosts a weekly Saturday club night, themed nights, and Thursday Quid’s In — more of a chilled bar vibe with extra-cheap drinks and £3.50 Rock City Q-Jump tickets. I can’t forget the city bars, often visited during Ocean Wednesdays bar crawls, but busy throughout the week. Places like Faradays, Oz Bar, and Bierkeller have a great vibe, perfect for meeting new people and enjoying student life.
Despite misconceptions that university revolves around drinking, I remained completely sober from the end of first-year term one and still went to every club and event. You can absolutely have fun without drinking, and it shouldn’t limit your experience.
Finding part-time work
As Nottingham is a university city with multiple institutions, many young adults are looking for part-time roles to support student life. Jobs can go quickly, so applying early, especially at the end of summer, is essential. Even better, this is something NTU as a university are aware of. The university have employability support for students, as well as part-time job fairs every month, to support you through this. There is support there if you need it.
Best place to live in the city as a student
There are so many great places to live as a student in Nottingham, and with the city campus being in the city centre, there are so many places to choose from. To name the best, living within the Arboretum/Forest Fields area is incredibly student friendly – close to campus, city centre and transport. Another area is Lenton, often very popular with students in both NTU and University of Nottingham, often lively and affordable. You can also live within the city centre.
If you study on Clifton Campus, students tend to live in West Bridgeford, a quieter area with a mix of students and members of community. As a student on Clifton Campus, you can also live on campus in accommodation such as New Hall. However, having studied on Clifton Campus, about a 30 minute bus from City centre, I lived in the city centre area throughout my university experience which allowed me to remain embedded within student life.
Best places to visit in Nottingham
Some of the best places to explore in Nottingham are tucked just beyond the main shopping streets, and as an NTU alumni, the Hockley and Lace Market areas were always my favourite spots to walk and wonder, just for the fun of it. Hockley has a creative feel — full of vintage and charity shops, cosy cafés, and amazing record shops where you can spend ages flicking through vinyl’s, even if you can’t always afford them! Endless cafes, bars and a variety of shops – Hockley and the Lace market remains my favourite area in the city centre, a great place to walk through in the day as well as in the evenings. Go to the lace market fish bar – I promise you won’t regret it.
When you want some fresh air and a change of scenery, Trent Bridge is perfect for a peaceful walk along the river. The views are lovely, especially at sunset, the perfect way to unwind and see another side of Nottingham. It shows off how scenic Nottingham can be, and became another one of my favourite walk longer walk spots, especially in the summer. The pathways along embankment are often full of runners, dog walkers as well as the river full of rowers and paddleboarders – a great place to people watch.
Best places to eat
The city has a great food scene. My affordable favourites include: Coffee X Spud, where a jacket potato with two fillings is under £5 or £6.50 with a drink, just a short walk from the Newton Building; Goldsmith’s Café on City Campus, serving wraps and salad boxes under £4.50 with added drink deals for £4.95; and Falafel in Market Square, offering authentic falafel wraps around £6.90 and mini platters at £9.50, with a student discount. Pho serves gluten-free Vietnamese dishes with a 25% student discount, perfect for trying new flavours, and for a special treat or celebration, Viva and Mowgli’s in Lace Market offer Indian cuisine around £10–£15 per person.
Nottingham’s hidden gems
The best thing about Nottingham is that you’re never far from a green space, an art gallery, an activity or a food spot. A place I truly believe is a hidden gem is the Nottingham Contemporary Gallery, located on Weekday Cross, the outskirts of the lace market and about five minutes from Broadmarsh bus station. Nottingham Contemporary is one of the largest galleries of contemporary art in the UK, with different art galleries, creative and educational events, film screenings and music performances. The gallery also has a Café, called Blend, located on the ground floor of the building – the perfect place for university work, catching up with friends or just to relax. Food remains under £10, catering for a range of dietary needs as well as the majority of quick drinks from £2-£4. What’s more, the gallery is free to enter, including all the exhibitions open to all members of the public.
Another place I hold as another core hidden gem is the New art Exchange (NAE), located on Gregory Boulevard, just a two minute walk from the Forest field car park. Another one of the largest galleries in the UK, dedicated to contemporary visual arts, focusing on the Global Ethnic minority and prioritising this celebration of diversity. The exhibitions within this gallery are also free, a great change of scenery or place to feel inspired by incredible artwork. NAE also has a cafe, incredible range of drinks as well as food: rice bowls, flatbread, toasted sandwiches, mains, breakfast plates, sides and kids meals all inspired by different cuisines. All the main food is under £9 and the smaller food under £4. It is such a special place and I often visited when I needed to feel inspired, have tasty food as a treat but remain on a budget. The space holds open mic events, poetry nights, music celebrations and other creative activities. It is for the community, and as a student you are part of that.
Top attractions
At the heart of Nottingham’s identity is the Goose Fair, one of Europe’s oldest travelling fairs. Every October, Forest fields transforms, and as a student, heading to Goose Fair with friends became a yearly tradition — the atmosphere is incredible, and it genuinely captures the spirit of the city.
For a green space, Wollaton Park is another one of Nottingham’s biggest treasures. A deer-filled park as well as having a lake and a beautiful central hall, a huge open space where you feel worlds away from the city and university life. Aside from the Arboretum, this park became my go-to escape whenever I craved a break and it always filled my cup in the best way. In summer, as well as being perfect for picnics, study breaks or long walks with friends, it hosts outdoor cinema nights and festivals which make it twice as special. Although a 30-minute bus ride from the city centre, every trip is worth it, leaving you fulfilled, recharged, and glad you made the journey.
