Interesting Facts

When most people think of Nottingham, they think of the legendary folk hero, Robin Hood. Was there a "real" Robin Hood? Scholars disagree, but a stroll through Sherwood Forest and its information-packed visitor's center is a historic trip back in time whether the enduring legend is built on fact, fiction, or a bit of both.
Nottingham is home to some of the most historic pubs in England. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is widely considered the oldest inn the country, and is said to have been a resting point for Crusaders on their way to the Holy Land as far back as 1189. Modern visitors can stop in for a pint of the pub's own Trip to Jerusalem Pale Ale.
The National Ice Center opened in Nottingham at the start of the new millennium. The only facility in the country with two Olympic-sized rinks, the location is particularly appropriate since this town is the proud home of Olympic ice dancing legends Torville and Dean.
Nottingham's City Centre is chock-full of shopping opportunities, with more than 1,150 retail stores selling a vast variety of items, from high fashion to art to home d�cor. With four covered shopping malls within walking distance of each other, it's no wonder Nottingham was named one of the top two retail centers in the UK � second only to London's West End � in a recent industry survey.
Though it burned to the ground during the English Civil War, the history of Nottingham Castle lives on. Enter the grounds through the gatehouse, the only remnant of the castle still standing, and tour the mansion built in its place. The facility now hosts the Nottingham History Museum as well as a gallery featuring contemporary works.
Nottingham is home to Broadmarsh Shopping Centre, which is like most shopping malls but with one striking difference � beneath it you'll find an intricate network of caves carved in the limestone more than 700 years ago. From the second floor of the modern mall, don a hardhat and take a self-guided audio tour as you follow the labyrinth of caves below the ground.
Legend has it that J.M. Barrie, author of the beloved book "Peter Pan," lived in Nottingham. A bedraggled child he saw on the street supposedly inspired his renowned fictional creation, and the scenic parks and lakes of the area were the inspiration for "Neverland."
Nottingham's history is interwoven with the creation of intricate lace. Many of the first lace-making machines were invented here, and the thriving industry helped build the city. Visitors can see the machines in action at the Museum of Nottingham Lace, and also pick up a piece to take home.
D.H. Lawrence wrote many of his best-known pieces, including "Lady Chatterley's Lover," while living in the countryside just outside Nottingham. Now visitors can take a self-guided tour along a path that points out the places that inspired his work or are mentioned within the pages.
Each September, men and women from far and wide are able to make like Robin Hood and his Merry Men, running through Sherwood Forest as if being chased by the law. The popular event is the annual Experian Robin Hood Marathon, the UK's third-largest road race.