​I reviewed this show on its UK tour at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal (from £25pp, trch.co.uk) on its press night. It is currently travelling around the country until December 2026, with further dates to be announced (thechoirofman.com).

For those searching for June events around Nottingham, be sure to add this to your calendar, whether you’re a musical fan or not. For more reviews, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.

Subscribe now

The Choir of Man at Theatre Royal, Nottingham review
★★★★★

By Charlotte Brudenell
Photos by Mark Senior

‘Welcome to The Jungle’... The Choir of Man welcomes the audience into a classic British pub, where stories are shared, and memories are made… and you can even have a pint on stage.

I went and reviewed this show on its UK tour during its visit to Nottingham. I was very unsure of what to expect, as I had only seen tasters of the show at West End Live in previous years, but knew that it didn’t follow the traditional musical structure.

This show completely defies any expectation of what a musical ‘should’ be. It doesn’t follow the traditional plot-line of a musical. Instead, it feels as though you’ve been transported to your local pub, and you’re just sharing a few pints with friends and hearing about the pub-goers’ lives and stories. It also defies traditional musical expectations by allowing you to sing along, making the audience feel even more immersed in the experience.

The Choir of Man takes place in The Jungle, made to look like your typical British pub. The nine extremely talented cast members take the audience on a two-hour visit to this pub, learning about each character’s life and personality along the way. It makes you feel as though you’re really there, from watching pints get poured to witnessing card games, to getting to see the bonds between the characters strengthen.​

The show debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017, with the show’s writers having the intention of exploring modern masculinity and men’s mental health, whilst also creating a fun night out and celebrating British pub culture. Since then, the show has had an extremely successful West End run at the Arts Theatre, an international tour and now a tour around the UK and Ireland.

The highlight of the show must be the working onstage bar. As soon as you walk into the auditorium, audience members are gathered onstage to grab a pint, and you may even get some interactions with the cast members. This bar is reopened during the interval for those who didn’t have a chance to visit The Jungle before the show started.

One touch that I really liked was the diversity and inclusivity of the cast. It was a celebration of everyone, telling stories of the cast’s homes and where they grew up, which added a personal feel to the show, allowing you to connect with the characters even more.

Another amazing part of the show is right at the end, where five of Nottingham’s community choirs stood to sing Sia’s Chandelier with the cast of the show. It really created a sense of community and was beautiful to witness, with over 250 voices being heard. The choirs taking part were The Collaboration Choir, Pipes, Beeston Voices, Totally Vocally, and Liberty Singers. The touring company is doing this at every venue, with a selection of choirs from each city they are visiting.

The show was originally performed at the Arts Theatre in London, a small and intimate venue with a seating capacity of around 350. In Nottingham’s Theatre Royal, there is a capacity of 1,186. Though the choirs really are a lovely addition, I think the show is perhaps more suited to smaller venues. It makes the audience feel a lot more immersed, especially considering the interactive nature of the musical. If you were not sitting in the first few rows of the stalls, then the experience may have been a bit different.

That being said, there are no faults with the show at all. It’s definitely a great couple of hours of fun, with getting to hear some great tunes, such as The Pina Colada Song, Adele’s Hello and The Proclaimers’ 500 Miles. There was not a moment during the show where I didn’t have a huge grin plastered across my face. It’s such a funny, emotional, entertaining show, which also spreads a really good message about toxic masculinity and the importance of speaking about our mental health.

The Choir of Man is a great modern musical and really deserves more recognition. It’s a must-see if you want a fun night out to celebrate classic British pub culture with some of the catchiest tunes to sing along to. Even if you’re not a huge fan of musicals, it’s hard not to fall in love with this show.

The Choir of Man is playing at the Theatre Royal until June 13 (trch.co.uk) and is currently travelling around the country until December (thechoirofman.com).

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

✉️ Enjoyed this week’s edition? Subscribe for free to get our articles in your inbox. Notts Going On gets sent out every Monday, and then we also send out a weekend read.

Subscribe now

Already subscribed to The Notts Edit? Thank you! You can also share us with friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else who might like what we do. The more people that know about us, the more we can help discover the best of the rebel county.

Share The Notts Edit

☕ And, if you want to support our writing, you can buy us a coffee for just £5 on Ko-fi. We’re an independent publication and don’t put any articles behind paywalls, nor fill the site with ads.

Support The Notts Edit

Notts Going On

By Eve Smallman and Sam Swain

What’s On 🗓️

Sherwood Art Week 🎨

When: Until June 14
Where: Various venues around Sherwood
How much: Fair and open-air gallery free, workshops from £11.55pp

Discover more about this artistic suburb and even try your hand at creating during this creative week. Workshops include needle felted bookmarks (June 9) and artful puppet making (June 14), with even more on offer on eventbrite.co.uk. Plus, over 50 shops will take part in Art in Shops, showcasing artworks throughout the week to form an open-air gallery (tockify.com).

Do if: You’d like to learn more about how artwork is created, as well as find new mediums to experiment with.

sherwoodartweek.org

The Choir of Man 🎶

When: June 9-13
Where: Theatre Royal, Nottingham
How much: From £25pp

This Olivier Award-nominated hit is on its first-ever UK tour, and is coming to Theatre Royal. It’s filled with songs from popular artists such as Queen, Paul Simon, Adele, and Katy Perry, all performed by a cast of nine talented guys who are instrumentalists, wordsmiths, and singers. The Jungle Choir Community Project is also bringing out local choirs such as The Collaboration Choir, Pipes, Liberty Singers, Beeston Voices Community Choir, and Totally Vocally Acapella Choir to perform.

Do if: You’d like to watch something that will truly uplift you, all while providing feel-good, foot-stomping entertainment.

trch.co.uk

Stitch Knit Social 🧶

When: June 10
Where: Yolk, Nottingham
How much: £3pp

Head down to this cosy cafe for an evening of crafting and meeting other creatives. You can bring your own project – whether it’s knitting, crochet, a sketchbook or something different – for creating, chatting and connecting. Yolk serves up excellent quality coffee and teas, and sister neighbouring bar 31K has delicious cocktails, so you’re sure to be kept fuelled up adequately. Plus, the event lasts from 7-9pm.

Do if: You have something special that you keep meaning to come back to - this is the time to pencil in working on it.

eventbrite.com

Open Air Theatre: Romeo & Juliet 🎭

When: June 12
Where: Nottingham Castle
How much: £20pp adult, £14pp child, £15 family ticket

Enjoy theatre in the way that Shakespeare intended during this range of open-air performances. These kick off this week with the famous love story Romeo & Juliet, reimagined by Oddsocks. Will Romeo pull himself together to escape with Juliet? Will the Nurse think of a better plan than the Friar? Will the audience help the lovers elope? All will be revealed. Bring low-backed seats and rugs to sit on – picnic optional.

Do if: You would like to see this classic tale in a new, fun, family-friendly way.

nottinghamcastle.org.uk

Summer Wedding Fair 💍

When: June 14
Where: Norwood Park, Southwell
How much: Free entry but booking required

This wedding fair makes the process of planning the big day easy, with photographers, florists, clothing, and cake makers all in one place to meet and greet. Norwood Park is a stunning wedding venue in the area, and it will be dressed on the day for a summer wedding, so you can get a feel for how it might look should you choose it. The grounds are also ideal beauty spots for a stroll, glass of bubbly optional.

Do if: You or someone you love are getting hitched soon, and you’d love to browse the area’s finest vendors.

norwoodpark.co.uk

More events:

It’s Coming Home ⚽

Food & Drink 🍽️

Hot Property 🏡

West Bridgford is one of the most popular places to live in Nottingham – and if you’d like to live there yourself, this seven-bedroom home is in the heart of it. Three reception rooms, a farmhouse kitchen with wooden cabinetry, and a grand entryway with gorgeous tiled flooring will greet you downstairs. Upstairs you’ll find the spacious bedrooms, many with original fireplaces, along with a large blue bathroom with a shower complete with elevated stone. Meanwhile, the outdoor space is built for hosting, with a patio, lawn, and extensive parking. The guide price is £1m and it’s marketed by HoldenCopley. rightmove.co.uk

News 🗞

❤️ Locked in: Last August, Severn Trent removed lovelocks from the Wilford Suspension Bridge due to safety concerns with the bridge’s structure. Now, it has teamed up with Nottingham City Council, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham, working with their architecture students, to create a shortlist of design ideas, with one of these coming to life. The designs have been shared and your feedback will be collated before design is chosen. stwater.co.uk

🌊 Building bridges: The Waterside Bridge, which spans the River Trent in Nottingham, has officially opened. The 87m Waterside Bridge, which connects the city to Lady Bay, was built in Hucknall and lifted into place in November. The crossing opened to pedestrians and cyclists on Tuesday and a newly widened and surfaced riverside footpath on the south side of the river has also reopened. bbc.co.uk

Scores on the Doors 🏆

🏏 Cricket

England beat New Zealand in the first test match of the summer, with Nottinghamshire's Ben Duckett scoring 52 in the match on a tricky pitch, and Josh Tongue taking five match wickets. Notts Outlaws won two games in the Vitality Blast with a three wicket win over Warwickshire and a 10 run win over Derbyshire, while The Blaze beat Warwickshire and Lancashire.

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

The squad has been picked – Forest’s Elliot Anderson has made the squad – and the fixtures are locked in, meaning that all that is left is to pick the venue.

There will be some late nights involved here – England’s group games take place at:

9pm, Wednesday, June 17 vs Croatia
9pm, Tuesday, June 23 vs Ghana
10pm, Saturday, June 27 vs Panama

There are countless combinations for the quarter and semi finals to be confirmed, but the final is at 8pm on Sunday, July 19 (I’m making no promises about who will be playing!).

I’ve picked out some of my favourites for all occasions, whether I’m wanting to celebrate victory with a lovely pint in a pub or comfort eat through another crushing disappointment. For more guides and events, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.

Subscribe now

8 of the best ways to watch the World Cup in Nottingham

By Sam Swain

1. BOX Nottingham

The one to watch the most possible games in

Where: Thurland Street
Booking required?: Advised, particularly for England games

This year’s tournament features 48 teams from across the globe and is hosted in three different countries, so games will be on at the same time and at all hours. Wanting to make the most of this? BOX has an array of big and small screens, as well as a wide selection of food and drink and shuffleboard for half time. BOX will be showing games that are on during its opening hours, so it’s the best way to watch as much football as possible as the tournament unfolds.

Do if: The prospect of watching Bosnia vs Qatar and Switzerland vs Canada at the same time is what the World Cup is about for you.

theboxbar.co.uk

2. The Kilpin

The one with international beers

Where: Bridlesmith Gate
Booking required? No

Named after Nottingham’s own AC Milan founder Herbert Kilpin, this is quite possibly my favourite city centre pub, with a fantastic range of European beers and an excellent Sunday roast. It is also celebrating its 10th anniversary on June 11, and will be pouring beers from Handpicked Drinks from then into the World Cup. My pick is the Cherry Chouffe from Belgium, which will make a great sipper into the late World Cup evenings. The World Cup will be shown on the TVs both upstairs and downstairs, as well as in the courtyard.

Do if: You want to take in the World Cup and expand your beer palate.

thekilpin.co.uk

3. Bustler

The one for the foodies

Where: Sneinton Market
Booking required? Yes – tickets from £5.50pp

Want to eat your way around the world while the World Cup is on? Bustler Market is the best way to do this, with kitchens representing flavours from reigning champions Argentina (Banquet 1415), Japan (Big Mouth Gyoza) and co-hosts America (Dirty Chicken). I’m gutted Italy didn’t qualify, but Little Big Sicily will be on hand to represent them during the tournament. Throw in happy hours, quizzes, and the vibrant Sneinton market atmosphere and Bustler is a must-visit this World Cup.

Do if: You just can’t watch football on an empty stomach.

designmynight.com

4. Splendour

The one for when you’re at a big festival

Where: Wollaton Park
Booking required?: Yes – day tickets from £85.60pp adult, £64.20pp child

Booked your Splendour tickets, but forgot the World Cup was on? Not to worry – the festival will be showing the final at 8pm. If England makes it all the way, the main stage will transform into a fan park to take in what could be a historic night. Rest assured though, there will be no clashes between the final and the festival’s headliners so, whatever the result, Snow Patrol will make for a great afterparty.

Do if: You want to see England (hopefully) in a historic game surrounded by fellow Splendour revellers.

alttickets.com

5. Rock City

The one with the best party

Where: Talbot Street
Booking required? Yes – pre-sale sign-up open

Rock City has to be one of the city’s most iconic venues. It’s not just excellent for gigs – with its huge screen, two pint steins, and a stadium-style atmosphere, it’s also a fantastic place to watch the World Cup. With DJs before and post-match parties, it’s the place to go to make the most of the late-night matches. While it will not be showing the group games, it will show games when England (hopefully) progresses to the knockout phase.

Do if: You want to go to one of the city’s best football celebrations.

fatsoma.com

6. The Nest

The one for the best atmosphere

Where: Iremonger Road
Booking required? Yes – from £8.80pp

It’s been a season to remember for both of Nottingham’s football clubs, with Forest reaching a European semi-final and Notts County getting promoted to League One. The Nest, adjacent to Meadow Lane and run by Notts County, is one of the city’s best sports and event spaces. The Nest is indoors, so no need to worry about the great British summertime, and will have one of the livelier atmospheres of the summer. We took in a few games during the European Championships in 2024, and the place was rocking.

Do if: You want to sing your heart out and chant along with other fans.

gigantic.com

7. The Bodega

The one for the night out after

Where: Pelham Street
Booking required? Yes – pre-sale sign-up open

Having recently hosted Dot to Dot Festival, The Bodega is known for great music, lively club nights, and a generous happy hour – so I’m happy to see it will have the World Cup on an outdoor screen. It has recently started slinging Detroit-style pizza slices at the Bodega Slab Co. These would pair perfectly with the special VARgerita (here’s hoping they don’t serve it to you then take it away!). Extend your night with one of their club nights.

Do if: You’d like to dance the night away to indie classics (Wednesday) or 00s music (Saturdays) until 3am after the game.

bodeganottingham.com

8. And, for not going out…

The one for getting your feet up

Where: Your house
Booking required? No

It’s staying home. There are so many games in this tournament, and they are on very late – but that doesn’t mean you can’t put on a quality spread at your house. Put on your Art of World Cup (art-of.com) shirt (its John Barnes rap tee in my basket right now), pick up beer from Neon Raptor (neonraptorbrewingco.com), nibbles from Essen General Store (essen-generalstore.co.uk), a bake-at-home pizza from Working Man’s Kitchen (@workingmanskitchen), and set yourself up for self up for as much football as you can possibly watch.

Do if: You just want to get to bed as soon as the game finishes.

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com for a chat

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

​I visited during Nottingham Restaurant Week (itsinottingham.com), which runs from June 1-14 this year, to try its £15 main and a large drink deal. I wasn’t invited – I paid for this myself and visited on a Monday afternoon.

If you’re searching for lunch around Nottingham, this is a really excellent place to try, even beyond the two-week deal event. For more reviews and guides, subscribe to The Notts Edit for free.

Subscribe now

“Comfort sandwiched together” — Càphinique food review

Words and photos by Eve Smallman

It’s not very often that I have to pull up Google Maps in Nottingham – I know this city like the back of my hand. I also know the food scene like the back of my hand, having visited most restaurants (what can I say, I take my job seriously). But one place I hadn’t visited before was Càphinique – a Vietnamese café inspired by the streets of Hanoi.

It’s actually hidden in plain sight on Carrington Street, on the run-up to the train station, but I had never really noticed it before. And oh, let me tell you – this has now changed.

On a rainy afternoon, ducking my head from the rain and heading in immediately felt like respite. The interior is bright yet cosy – colourful lights and tables, as well as a window seat for people watching. I was welcomed in instantly and shown the menu.

This is simple but effective, with clear pictures and labels for everything. Drinks-wise, milk teas, fruit teas, and Phin coffees are on offer, while for food it’s pho (fragrant noodle soup), rice bowls (self-explanatory), and banh mi (Vietnamese baguettes).

​Everything looked beautiful, but I knew I was craving sinking my teeth into something, so it had to be the banh mi for me. It has a choice of beef (£9.50), chicken (£8.50), pork (£8.70), and plant balls £8.50), but I went for the omelette banh mi (£6.70) as I’m vegetarian.

I was originally going to go for the large egg coffee (£6.20) out of sheer curiosity, but as I visited during Nottingham Restaurant Week – a two week event with deals across city eateries – I was advised to pick something else to get a better offer. I thought this was great, as I think many places would just try to keep costs down.

During this event, Càphinique offers a main and a large drink for £15, which I thought was pretty good for a nice lunch deal in the city. Other places offer lunch deals for £10, but the fact you can get pho here and a real mixture of drinks did make it worth the extra in my opinion. It’s also one of the only places during Restaurant Week that has its offer on all day, every day. So, I opted for banh mi and a large tropical fruit tea (£9.20). I could have definitely got more value out of the deal, but I was happy with my choices.

When it arrived, I was immediately cheered up by the bright plate and playful drink. A lovely spot of colour on a drizzly day. This also arrived with a large bottle of sriracha for drizzling onto the banh mi, which I did with what I thought was a little bit too much gusto. But actually? Upon biting into the baguette, I was greeted with a gorgeous mixture of everything.

Hot and salty omelette, crunchy pickled vegetables, and the sweet and spicy sriracha all worked together perfectly. I did try most of my second half of the baguette without sriracha, which was still lovely, but I found myself reaching for the bottle for a last perfect mouthful.

​Taking the sandwich out of the wrapper to douse it in sriracha did mean that it lost a lot of its structure when I was eating it, so I did have to rush up to get extra napkins. But this is part of the experience, I think – unfussy, casual eating that’s all about the flavour of the food.

In terms of my tropical tea, I don’t usually drink bubble or fruit teas out, as I quite like strong tea, and fruity teas are usually overpowered by sugar and syrup. While this did have a distinctive sweetness, I loved that the aromatic tea shone through and was ultimately the winning flavour. The only things that I weren’t big on were the dragonfruit pieces, which served as purple prettiness, but didn’t add to the taste and weren’t easy to suck up with the straw (I did flip the pictured straw and still had trouble).

​Overall, I was kicking myself that I hadn’t been before. It’s really easy to stick to old favourites (I usually go for Bombay Deli when I’m peckish down Broad Marsh way), but I was glad that I went and tried something new. It really was comfort sandwiched together, and I know I’m going to be back.

If you’re looking for lunch in Nottingham – particularly near the station – and want a bite to eat beyond a packaged sandwich, I highly recommend Càphinique. Take a seat by the window, dive into a banh mi, and don’t be afraid to get messy – people walking by be damned.

caphinique.co.uk
@caphinique

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

✉️ Enjoyed this week’s edition? Subscribe for free to get our articles in your inbox. Notts Going On gets sent out every Monday, and then we also send out a weekend read.

Subscribe now

Already subscribed to The Notts Edit? Thank you! You can also share us with friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else who might like what we do. The more people that know about us, the more we can help discover the best of the rebel county.

Share The Notts Edit

☕ And, if you want to support our writing, you can buy us a coffee for just £5 on Ko-fi. We’re an independent publication and don’t put any articles behind paywalls, nor fill the site with ads.

Support The Notts Edit

Notts Going On

By Eve Smallman and Sam Swain

What’s On This Week 🗓️

Nottingham Restaurant Week 🍽️

When: June 1-14
Where: Various venues across Nottingham
How much: Deals from £10

For the first time ever, Nottingham Restaurant Week is here for two weeks, with over 65 restaurants hosting special menus, from three-course meals to lunch deals. Our top choices include £10 for any smash burger and fries at Bomba (Wednesday-Friday, 12-3pm), any pasta, a drink, and garlic ciabatta from Cheese & Pasta Co for £10 (every weekday until 4pm), and five-courses from Calcutta Club for £25pp (Monday-Thursday before 6.30pm, Friday-Saturday before 6pm). However, be sure to check the It’s in Nottingham app for all the offers.

Do if: You have a list of restaurants that you’ve been meaning to visit, but haven’t got round to doing so – this is the best time to try them out.

itsinnottingham.com

Author Event: Jonathan Wilson ⚽

When: June 2
Where: West Bridgford Library
How much: £5pp

The World Cup is the most watched sporting event on the planet – and, in The Power and the Glory, award-winning football writer Jonathan Wilson tells the definitive history of the tournament, as well as revealing how the World Cup reflects the story of the world itself. In this evening talk, he’ll chat through this in conversation with journalist and author Marcus Alton. Jonathan is a freelance writer for The Guardian and has written 11 books. The event is almost full, so be quick if you’d like tickets.

Do if: You’d like to learn more about the World Cup from “one of football’s best storytellers.”

eventbrite.co.uk

Nottingham Poetry Festival 🎤

When: June 5-14
Where: Various venues around Nottingham
How much: Mix of free and paid-for

Nottingham’s excellent poetry scene is renowned – and this festival is all about celebrating this, with headline acts, open mics, workshops, and more. It kicks off with the open-mic Festival Launch at the Fox & Grapes (June 4, free entry). Other highlights this week include the workshop Making It Work with Leanne Moden (June 5, National Justice Museum, free entry) and a performance by best-selling poet Brian Bilston (June 6, Metronome, £20pp).

Do if: You’d like to spark your creativity by learning from the city and county’s finest poets.

nottinghampoetryfestival.com

Interactive Owl Talk and Demonstration 🦉

When: June 6
Where: Attenborough Nature Reserve
How much: £10pp adult, £8pp child

Join experts from BB Falconry Bird of Prey Experience Centre to learn about the country’s native owl species. You’ll get the chance to get amazingly close with a barn owl, tawny owl, and long-eared owl, as well as discover more about them and experience them flying to your gloved hand. It’s worth noting that this is not suitable for children under six years of age, as this event features live birds.

Do if: Owls have always fascinated you, and you’d love to find out more about them.

eventbrite.co.uk

Vitality Blast | AD 🏏

When: June 7
Where: Trent Bridge, West Bridgford
How much: From £24pp adult, £7.50pp under 16s, £14pp family

A big Sunday of T20 action at Trent Bridge as Notts Outlaws take on rivals Derbyshire Falcons in a must-see local showdown. The action gets underway earlier with The Blaze facing Lancashire Thunder, making it a full double-header packed with big hits and big moments. Expect a great atmosphere, plenty of family-friendly activities around the ground, and a brilliant day out. Plus, you can enter our competition to win a set of family tickets on Instagram.

Do if: You’re looking for an exciting day out with non-stop action on and off the pitch.

trentbridge.co.uk

More events:

What’s On This Month 🗓️

Theatre

Hot Property 🏡

We promise that this place is in Nottinghamshire, and not straight out of a storybook. This six-bedroom Grade II* listed 17th century hall in Lowdham is absolutely stunning. Step inside and you’ll find seven reception rooms, a living room with a balcony, and a kitchen with brick detailing and wooden cabinetry (spy the wine cabinet!). The bedrooms are all wonderfully enveloping, with many having wooden beams across the ceilings and one even having its own dressing room. Outside, there’s a huge amount of lawn space, a pond, and even its own tennis court. The guide price is £2.95m, and it’s marketed by Savills. rightmove.co.uk

News 🗞

🍣 Budget bites: Kushi-ya – one of our top restaurants in Nottingham – was named by The Times last week as one of the best places to dine on a budget in the UK. It loves its “inventive Japanese cooking” and recommends signature items such as the beef skewers with black garlic mustard (£9.50), as well as the furikake prawn toast (£5.75). thetimes.com

😎 The name’s Bond: Into your gaming? James Bond game 007: First Light came out last week, with a host of five star reviews. It stars Nottingham-born actor Lennie James (Line of Duty, The Walking Dead), who plays John Greenway as the mentor to the famous spy. The Guardian says, “This is on-rails storytelling done right” and “As far as Bond video games go, nobody has done it better.” theguardian.com

👏 Hall of fame: More than thirty of Nottingham’s creative students, children and young adults have received Young Creative Awards in recognition of their talent. The competition is open to students and young adults aged 11 to 24-years-old who live, work or study in Nottinghamshire. This year’s awards saw the winning young creatives battle it out against 475 entrants, before being crowned at a glittering awards ceremony at Nottingham Playhouse. Entries for Young Creative Awards 2027 open on November 16. youngcreativeawards.org

Scores on the Doors 🏆

🏏 Cricket

The Outlaws recorded their first victory in this year’s Vitality Blast with a six-wicket win over Durham. George Munsey top-scored with 88 from 52 balls. The Outlaws were, however, beaten in midweek by Derbyshire. The Blaze beat Warwickshire in midweek but fell to defeat against Durham on Sunday.

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

I’ve curated a mixture of these across the city and county, from festivals and conventions to workshops and shows. These have been narrowed down based on their uniqueness, seasonality, and how good value for money they are.

If you’re looking for events and things to do in Nottingham, these are all worth checking out and putting in your calendar. For more events and guides, including our Notts Going On newsletter, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.

Subscribe now

10 things to do around Nottingham this June

By Eve Smallman

1. Nottingham Poetry Festival

When: June 5-14
Where: Various venues around Nottingham
How much: Mix of free and paid-for

Nottingham’s excellent poetry scene is renowned – and this festival is all about celebrating this, with headline acts, intimate readings, open mics, workshops, performances, and more. Highlights include Foraging for Words (June 9, starts at Nottingham Castle, free or £10 with food), NPF Presents: Henry Normal (June 10, Nottingham Central Library, free entry), and BBC Upload x We, The Poets (June 13, Rough Trade, free entry), but be sure to check out the site for all the listings.

Do if: You’d like to spark your creativity by learning from the city and county’s finest poets.

nottinghampoetryfestival.com

2. Interactive Owl Talk and Demonstration

When: June 6
Where: Attenborough Nature Reserve
How much: £10pp adult, £8pp child

Join experts from BB Falconry Bird of Prey Experience Centre to meet and learn about some of the UK’s native owl species. This hour-long session will give you the chance to get up close and personal with a barn owl, tawny owl, and long-eared owl. You’ll learn about these wonderful birds, as well as experience them flying to your gloved hand. It’s worth noting that this is not suitable for children under six years of age, as this event features live birds. Plus, limited tickets remain as of the time of writing.

Do if: Owls have always fascinated you, and you’d love to learn more about them.

eventbrite.co.uk

3. Sherwood Art Week

When: June 6-14
Where: Various venues around Sherwood
How much: Fair and open-air gallery free, workshops all £10pp

This suburb has a wonderful artistic flair – and during this week, you can discover more about this and even try your hand at creating. It begins with The Secret Garden Craft Fair at the Sherwood United Reformed Church (June 6, free entry, sherwoodartweek.org), which will have stalls and live music. From here, workshops will run throughout the week with needle felt, bobbin lace, copper jewellery, and more on offer (see on eventbrite.co.uk). Plus, over 50 shops will showcase artworks throughout the week to form an open-air gallery with Art in Shops (tockify.com).

Do if: You’d like to learn more about how artwork is created, as well as find new mediums to get creative with.

sherwoodartweek.org

4. The Choir of Man

When: June 9-13
Where: Theatre Royal, Nottingham
How much: From £25pp

Direct from the West End, the Olivier Award-nominated hit is now on its first-ever UK tour. It’s filled with hits from artists such as Queen, Paul Simon, Adele, Guns & Roses, and Katy Perry to name but a few, all performed by a cast of nine extraordinary guys who are instrumentalists, wordsmiths, and singers. The Jungle Choir Community Project is also bringing out local choirs such as The Collaboration Choir, Pipes, Liberty Singers, Beeston Voices Community Choir, and Totally Vocally Acapella Choir to perform.

Do if: You’d like to watch something that will truly uplift you, all while providing feel-good, foot-stomping entertainment.

trch.co.uk

5. Open Air Theatre

When: June 12 and throughout summer
Where: Nottingham Castle
How much: £20pp adult, £14pp child, £15 family ticket

Enjoy theatre in the way that Shakespeare intended during this range of open-air performances. These kick off with the famous love story Romeo & Juliet (June 12), reimagined by Oddsocks in a funny and fresh way (perhaps the perfect date night idea?). Later in the summer, there is also family-friendly tale The Sword in the Stone (July 30) and adorable adventure The Tale of Peter Rabbit & Benjamin Bunny (August 4). Bring low-backed seats and rugs to sit on – picnic optional.

Do if: You love classic, iconic stories, and would love to enjoy them at an iconic venue.

nottinghamcastle.org.uk

6. EM-Con

When: June 13-14
Where: Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
How much: From £18pp, £13pp per child

The East Midlands’ biggest expo is returning to the Motorpoint Arena once again, with a jam-packed line-up of guests, panels, and stalls to browse. Celebrities to watch out for include Joonas Suotamo who plays Chewbacca in Star Wars, Ben Crompton from Game of Thrones, Alfie Williams from 28 Years Later, and Anna Shaffer from The Witcher and Harry Potter. We recommend going in cosplay for extra fun… and you might stick out like a sore thumb if you don’t.

Do if: You’re a secret nerd at heart and would love to meet other fans – and even the stars of – of the shows you love.

nottingham.em-con.co.uk

7. Summer Wedding Fair

When: June 14
Where: Norwood Park, Southwell
How much: Free entry but booking required

When it comes to getting married, it can be a little overwhelming to know where to start and what to do. This wedding fair makes the process beautifully easy, with photographers, florists, clothing, and cake makers to meet and greet. Norwood Park is also a standout wedding venue in the area, and it will be dressed on the day for a summer wedding, so you can get a feel for how it might look should you choose it. Walk around the gorgeous grounds and prepare to be inspired.

Do if: You or someone you love are getting hitched soon, and you’d love to browse the area’s finest vendors.

norwoodpark.co.uk

8. Nottingham Craft Beer Festival

When: June 19-20
Where: Sneinton Market
How much: From £13.20pp day tickets, all day Saturday £22pp

Over 30 breweries will be setting up in Sneinton Market for two days of drinks and entertainment. These range from local ones such as Bang the Elephant, Blue Monkey, and Black Iris, as well as ones like Salford’s Pomona Island, Wokingham’s Siren Craft Brew, and Manchester’s Track Brewing Co. Food-wise, market favourites like Working Man’s Kitchen and Yello Yard will be available. Dive into all this, then jam to DJ sets in the square and intimate gigs in The Grove.

Do if: You enjoy trying different tipples, and would like to do so in one of the city’s most vibrant creative hubs.

nottinghamcraftbeer.co.uk

9. Father’s Day Cruise

When: June 21
Where: Starts and ends at Princess River Cruises, Colwick
How much: £29.50pp adult, £19.95pp child

Celebrate Father’s Day in style by hopping aboard a lovely river cruise on the River Trent. This will travel around points between Holme Pierrepont and Wilford Church, making for stunning, scenic views. Live commentary and a cruise map are also included, so that you can follow your journey and pick out local interest points. Enjoy these while tucking into a roast dinner, complete with dessert. Plus, dads all get a free drink at the bar (just in case you need further bribery!). To book, phone or email.

Do if: You’d like to treat your dad to a Father’s Day he’ll always remember.

princessrivercruises.co.uk

10. Nottingham Puppet Festival

When: June 27-July 5
Where: Various venues around Nottingham
How much: Mix of free and paid-for

Returning after a hiatus, this city-wide festival is set to transform libraries, community centres, cinemas and theatres into magical spaces filled with puppets. A key part of the festival is the City Centre Day on June 27, where there will be a trail of free performances and walkabouts. On other dates puppets will be hitting the stage, with Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile at Theatre Royal (July 2-5, from £15pp) and Flyaway Katie for younger children at Lakeside Arts (June 28, from £10.50pp). This is another event where it’s worth checking out the site for all the activities.

Do if: You’re looking for a fun way to capture your children’s imagination – puppets of all sizes are truly mesmerising.

nottinghampuppetfestival.co.uk

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com for a chat

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

I went and reviewed this show on its UK tour at the Nottingham Playhouse (nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk), where it is playing until May 30. It is currently touring the country until October 2026.

If you’re looking for May events, this theatre show is ideal for fans of traditional musicals. For more reviews and events, subscribe to The Notts Edit for free.

Subscribe now

Barnum at Nottingham Playhouse review
★★★

By Charlotte Brudenell
Photos by Pamela Raith

You’ve likely heard of The Greatest Showman, one of the most popular movie musicals of the past few years. Before that, P.T. Barnum’s life was told through a slightly more accurate Broadway musical, Barnum, written by Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, and that premiered in 1980.

I went and reviewed this show on its UK tour at the Nottingham Playhouse. It is currently touring the country until October 2026. I went into this show quite blind, not knowing any of the music or what to expect.

The musical is based on the life of P.T. Barnum, an American showman and politician who popularised the three-ring circus, known as the Barnum and Bailey circus. The musical also details his founding of the American Museum, which would showcase theatrical shows as well as a “Horde of Curiosities”, such as the oldest woman to live, alongside mermaids, too.

There’s no doubt in saying that this musical could be seen as a bit outdated. It lacks the charm that many traditional, more well-known musicals have, as many of the songs feel forgettable, and none of them really stick in your head. The script and plot appear to be a bit flat, leaving the actors little to work with, which is a shame as they truly are incredibly talented.

​This show truly is a visual spectacle. There’s no doubt about the fact that you truly get immersed in the theatrics of it all. The staging is presented as if you are at a circus, with many performers hanging from the ceiling and performing tricks across the stage throughout the show.

​Without a doubt, the circus performances pull the show together. They distract the audience from the mediocre plot-line, with actors swallowing fire, hanging from ribbons and spinning around the stage in hoops, as well as a healthy amount of acrobatics.

Emily Odunsi’s performance – a gymnast who has represented Great Britain – as one of the circus performers really stood out to me. She seemed so enthusiastic about her role and really put her all into it. It was amazing watching her complete these incredible feats, such as shooting a bow and arrow with her legs.​

This would not have been possible without the talented Oti Mabuse’s choreography. Knowing her history, such as being a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, it wasn’t a surprise that her choreography worked so well in this show.

Lee Mead played the role of P.T. Barnum, and it is clear he deserves a career on the stage. After winning the BBC series Any Dream Will Do in 2007, he has had a successful career in the world of musical theatre. His passion for the arts really radiates through, and I look forward to seeing what show he will be in next, as he really is a joy to watch.

What immensely lets the show down is the plot, the script and the music at times as well. If it were not for the flashy costumes and dances during the big numbers, the songs would have been rather forgettable. The cast truly are working as best as they can with what they have been given, and they deserve all the credit for that. I felt as though the story was difficult to follow and was very surface-level. It never delved into anything deeper than Barnum wanting his circus to succeed, and there were a few unexplained plot points.

The audience never finds out why Charity, Barnum’s wife, dies, and this left the story feeling unfinished and slightly confusing. After this point, the rest of the second act feels incredibly rushed, though there are some fun dance numbers, which thankfully take away from this.

It is also important to add that the story ignores Barnum’s wrongdoings. He famously called his circus performers “freaks” and was not inclusive of them at all. He also bought and owned slaves, whom he used in his museum and circuses as well. The ignorance of these acts makes it seem as though Barnum was a wholly good person when, in fact, this was not the truth.

From this, it is understandable that The Greatest Showman was created, as it has a more highly engaging storyline, which is easier to follow and appeals to a wider majority of people, even though it was more fictionalised than this story.

Barnum is a taste of more traditional musical theatre. Though it may not appeal to some, maybe the younger generation, it is a good show for those who enjoy shows with lots of dancing and excellent visuals.

​Barnum is playing at the Nottingham Playhouse until May 30 (nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk) and is currently travelling the country until October 31, 2026 (kenwright.com).

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

What a bank holiday weekend! The weather has been absolutely glorious (perhaps a little too glorious?), and Notts County have been promoted (more on that below). It’s fair to say that the city and county is glowing right now, and we are loving it.

✉️ Enjoyed this week’s edition? Subscribe for free to get our articles in your inbox. Notts Going On gets sent out every Monday, and then we also send out a weekend read.

Subscribe now

Already subscribed to The Notts Edit? Thank you! You can also share us with friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else who might like what we do. The more people that know about us, the more we can help discover the best of the rebel county.

Share The Notts Edit

☕ And, if you want to support our writing, you can buy us a coffee (iced!) for just £5 on Ko-fi. We’re an independent publication and don’t put any articles behind paywalls, nor fill the site with ads.

Support The Notts Edit

Notts Going On

By Amy Greene, Eve Smallman, and Sam Swain

What’s On 🗓️

Barnum 🎭

When: May 26-30
Where: Nottingham Playhouse
How much: From £17.50pp

Roll up, roll up – P.T. Barnum is coming to town in a spectacular show… well, a show about his life, that is. West End and TV star Lee Mead (who you may recognise from Any Dream Will Do) will lead the way as the showman himself, with a cast of over 20 acrobats and musicians – so expect plenty of delightful acts and a glorious stage set-up filled with fun. It also features a whole host of classic show tunes including Join the Circus, Colours of My Life, and Come Follow the Band.

Do if: You loved The Greatest Showman and would like to see the real-life story imagined in a new way.

​nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

Green Hustle 🌱

When: May 30
Where: Old Market Square and surrounding areas
How much: Free entry

Spend a day learning about eco—friendliness at the Green Hustle festival, as Old Market Square, Sussex Street, and more are set to host a range of activities. This year the festival will be bigger than ever, with a community garden, a pop-up forest, a long dining table, as well as plenty of workshops to educate and inspire. Read our long-read with co-founder Adam Pickering down below.

Do if: You’re looking for a feel-good, family-friendly day in the city.

greenhustle.co.uk

Sausage and Cider Festival 🌭

When: May 30
Where: Wollaton Park
How much: From £39.95pp, under fives free

Returning to Nottingham for a full day of feasting fun, the Sausage and Cider Festival brings together live entertainment, eating competitions, and a wide selection of drinks. With over 30 cider flavours and 20 varieties of sausage on offer, the event mixes food with activities including axe throwing, a festival market and a silent disco. Alongside this, tribute artists such as Queen, Elton John and Red Hot Chilli Peppers will play throughout.

Do if: You’d like to spend the day dancing and diving into delicious food and drink.

sausageandciderfest.co.uk

Matt Forde: Defying Calamity 😂

When: May 31
Where: Theatre Royal, Nottingham
How much: £28.50pp

Political comedian and satirist Matt Forde (Spitting Image, HIGNFY, British Scandal) is bringing his biggest show to date to the Theatre Royal. This is about finding positivity in life and his own health, with Matt having undergone cancer treatment. It will be a homecoming for the Nottingham-born comedian, so it’s sure to be special.

Do if: You’ve been feeling a bit down about things and would welcome a new perspective on it all.

trch.co.uk

Italian Car and Motorcycle Show 🚗

When: May 31
Where: Norwood Park, Southwell
How much: From £10pp for exhibitors, visitor entry free

See a range of the finest car models and motorcycles out there during this spectacular showcases. Iconic models from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini and more will park up, as well as Ducatis, Vespas, and Lambrettas. The taste of Italy doesn’t stop there, premium coffees, pizzas, and ice cream available to tuck into. It certainly sounds like dolce vita.

Do if: You’re missing the Mediterranean, and would like to experience it without the flight.

clubalfa.co.uk

More events:

Out and About 🌳

Theatre 🎭

Hot Property 🏡

Living in The Park is the height of luxury in the city – and this six-bedroom Victorian home is the embodiment of just that. Step inside and you’ll find an inviting living room with ornate detailing, a long kitchen with a traditional oven, and even its own wine cellar. Head upstairs to see the bedrooms, all with gorgeous wooden flooring. We also love the big bathroom, with floral wallpaper, cool stone tiling, and a claw-foot tub and walk-in shower. The outside space is just as spacious, with a sprawling lawn wrapped around the house. It’s marketed by FHP Living, which is looking for offers over £1.495m. rightmove.co.uk

News 🗞

🍔 Slinging burgers: Looking for a new burger joint to sink your teeth into? Dirty Cow has opened up in The Taphouse, with smash burgers flipped and served up by the team behind Dirty Chicken at Bustler. Meanwhile, The Beefy Boys is set to open up officially late-June. However, it is currently soft launching and looking for burger testers to visit until June 11, in exchange for 25% off the bill (sign up here). @dirtycownotts / @thebeefyboys

🖤 You Pies: Notts County have been promoted to League One – and this afternoon (Tuesday, May 26), Old Market Square will be hosting celebrations. Players and club officials will take to the Council House balcony to show off the trophy. The event kicks off at 3pm (arrival advised no earlier than 2pm). If you are going, make sure to wear sunscreen, as it’s a hot one today! bbc.co.uk

Scores on the Doors 🏆

🌳 Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest brought the curtain down on a mixed Premier League season with a 1-1 draw at home to Bournemouth. Morgan Gibbs-White, who missed out on Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup Squad, scored Forest’s goal. Midfielder Elliot Anderson was, however, called up and could become the first Forest player to represent England at a World Cup since Stuart Pearce and Des Walker in 1990.

🐦 Notts County

Notts County have been promoted to League One after a convincing 3-0 win over Salford at Wembley. Martin Paterson’s side looked comfortable despite the 33-degree heat, with Alassana Jatta, Lucas Ness and player of the match Jodi Jones all on the scoresheet. It will be Notts’s first time back in League One for 11 years.

🏏 Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club

After seeing out a draw with Hampshire, Notts Outlaws and The Blaze got their Vitality Blast seasons underway. In the opening two fixtures, the Outlaws were beaten by Yorkshire and Lancashire, while The Blaze won both games against the same sides, with Tammy Beaumont scoring a fine 52 in the win over Lancashire.

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

I spoke with festival co-founder and co-director Adam Pickering about why green spaces in the area are important, what to expect from this year’s festival on May 30 (greenhustle.co.uk), as well as how people can help make greenery thrive throughout the year.

If you’re looking for May events and things to do in Nottingham, Green Hustle is worth attending and getting involved with. For more features and guides, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.

Subscribe now

How Green Hustle is empowering Nottingham with environmental know-how

By Eve Smallman
Photos by Tom Platinum Morley

In Nottingham, it’s hard not to be inspired by greenery right now, with The Green Heart currently absolutely flourishing with plants and wildlife. “I think this is an amazing example of when we put nature first, lots of other great things can follow,” says Adam Pickering.

He is the co-founder and co-director of Green Hustle, which runs a free festival every year in May, as well as hosting community initiatives throughout the year that benefit our green spaces.

Whilst Broadmarsh stood derelict, shopping in that area deteriorated – but now we have the Green Heart, national retailers are opening up again there. “It’s vibey, it feels safe, it’s always populated, and it’s a beautiful welcome into the city that I think just lifts up the whole city centre for anyone coming to visit Nottingham.”

He says it’s important that people have access to quality green spaces – and there are some areas in Nottingham where these don’t get the same attention. “The Woodland Trust has developed something called the Tree Equity Map, and it shows clearly not just where there are fewer trees, but also versus higher-density populations,” says Adam.

This is why many of Green Hustle’s tree planting projects have ended up being in areas north of the city, such as Aspley and Bestwood, as – compared to places like West Bridgford, Sherwood, and Mapperley – they don’t have as many trees.

“I know that if I don’t get that space outdoors and that quiet time in nature, hearing the birds and seeing the insects flying, I just get sad – and I think that applies to a lot of people, whether we know it or not,” Adam says. “The more greenery we have around us, the more calm we’re going to feel, the more connected we’re going to feel, and the more able we feel to get on with our day-to-day life – so those green spaces, even tiny pockets of green spaces, can make a lot of difference.”

Before I interviewed Adam, we walked along the road past the Motorpoint Arena. He pointed out to me a planted Christmas tree with yellow buds peeking past the tips, and we had a little moment of pause. I definitely understand what he means.

In May, Green Hustle’s annual festival comes to the city. And, in 2026, it’s set to be its biggest yet, with it expanding both in Old Market Square and across the rest of the city centre.

“This year, the fountain space in Old Market Square is going to be a proper showcase – it’s going to be our green pavilion, so we’re going to create a community garden with lots of different layers and shapes, which will be populated by some of the lovely gardens from Nottingham Growing Network,” explains Adam. “The Network will have people from across Notts, such as from Bulwell Forest Garden and St Ann’s Allotments.”

There will also be a forest garden, which is Adam’s pet project. “We’re working with The Woodland Trust and The Sherwood Forest Trust, sourcing some lovely local trees, some nice big oaks, and some rescue trees that have sort of self-seeded in a nearby garden to me, and we’re going to be bringing it all together,” he says. “We reckon about 50 trees are going to form the main forest, and then we’ll have loads of trees to give away as well from The Woodland Trust, and they’ll tell you all about how to plant them.”

As well as this, a geo-dome will be hosting a new programme of work about STEM subjects and literacy, in partnership with Experian and E.ON. “These will be focused around different ways of making stuff like renewable technology really clear and accessible to people, and have fun ways that people can engage, along with signposting towards other places that they can go to get more support,” says Adam. ‘‘I’m really proud of that, because Green Hustle has always been about including everybody, so sometimes we’ve got to take a step back and say, ‘What are we missing?’ and ‘Are we making too many assumptions?’”

Food will also be served up, with DISHED and Shifting Your Mindset hosting a long dining table down the middle of Old Market Square. This area will also host the slow fashion catwalk. Head down to Sussex Street and you’ll find activities with Skate Nottingham, The Pythian Club, and Switch Up, along with street food, creative activities, community gardening, and literature and poetry at Nottingham Central Library.

“I’m just excited because we’re cooling it all down – instead of being like in the past where it felt like a music festival with some nice green stuff going on around the edges, we’re actually like taking the volume down a lot this year,” says Adam. “It’s like the things you find in the nooks and crannies of big festivals that you don’t normally get time to do.”

He adds that it’s really just about making it even more inclusive and super relaxed. “We want to have a really chilled vibe, with lots of space for people to just unwind, explore, and get creative.”

Green Hustle doesn’t just stop with the main festival – it also provides and helps with many green community initiatives throughout the year. If you’ve wandered down the canal recently and seen a six-foot metal heron made out of old Raleigh Bikes, that’s a space Green Hustle developed in partnership with Raleigh.

Adam says, “We’ve also planted over 10,000 trees in the city, which we’re really proud of, and we’ll be planting trees from the pop-up forest in the ground at King George V Playing Fields in Aspley on Sunday at the Aspley People’s Forest that we’re helping create,” says Adam. There are regular volunteering sessions here, as well as with Grow Notts (@grownotts).

​It’s important for them to create opportunities year-round for people to get stuck in their local communities. “If people have ideas, such as transforming a little green space near them, then we can probably put them in touch with a local community garden or something like that that can support it.”

In terms of Green Hustle festival’s future, Adam says it’s always evolving – especially with this year’s big push to move the festival from just a single site to a citywide immersive exploration. “We’ve got a lot of space to grow into now, so there’s a lot of scope for businesses to get more involved – I’d love to have little fringe events in shops like talks at Five Leaves Bookshop, which is a great little independent tucked away just behind Primark.”

He continues, “It’s like putting on a big baggy jumper that your aunt bought you when you’re a kid – it might look a bit big at the minute and there might be a bit of space to expand, but that’s exactly what we need to see us through the next few years.”

The future of the festival – and of green spaces around Nottingham – is certainly looking bright. Whether you’re worried about the environment, love learning about new things, or simply want to put your green thumbs to work, Green Hustle is a great way to begin growing.

Green Hustle is taking place on May 30 in Old Market Square and surrounding areas. greenhustle.co.uk

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

I went down to the press night to review the show, staying throughout (no interval!) and watching it in the Neville Studio.

If you’re looking for May events and June events, Scenes from a Friendship is playing until June 12 (tickets from £18, nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk). For more reviews and guides like these, subscribe to The Notts Edit.

Subscribe now

Scenes from a Friendship at Nottingham Playhouse review
★★★★

By Eve Smallman
Photos by Pamela Raith

Many great writers and playwrights have come from Nottingham – and Jane Upton is one of them. Her previous work (the) Woman was shortlisted for the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting and had a run at London’s Park Theatre – so it was exciting to see what she’d do next. Her answer? A play set in Long Eaton, following the friendship of Jess and Billy as their high school friendship carries throughout the years after.

The concept sounds simple – and from entering the theatre, you might be initially fooled into thinking so. The set, designed by Abby Clarke, is filled with white-style IKEA furniture, with camera film on the wall and Polaroids on the floor. However, these are all layered slightly askew to create a blank canvas playground for clever movement and props – and when the stage is lit, it becomes incredibly versatile. I really enjoyed watching how it was used throughout. It also means there’s no hiding on stage – everything is laid bare.

This is a two-person play, running for an hour and 35 minutes currently – a length that works incredibly well. Nottingham’s own Katie Redford (Not Going Out, Casualty, Outlander) plays the enthusiastic Jess, while the enthusiastic yet guarded Billy is played by Benedict Salter (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, An Inspector Calls, A Christmas Carol). They perfectly matched each other throughout the show, with an easy chemistry that was wonderful to follow.

Because of this infectious energy, I did find myself wanting to know more about the characters’ friendship during the show. There were a couple of big time jumps (the one by the stag do springs to mind) that I found slightly jarring. I also wanted to know how they actually met, even just if mentioned in passing. However, this could also have all been just me wanting more context because I was invested in the story.​

That being said, I thought the writing and flow of the show throughout was excellent. There was a strong wave of ebbs and flows, with a mix of emotive and funny moments. It started sharply, with a mobile phone ringing, and kept its sharpness throughout. The show moves between high school dramas to adult problems with rising intensity really beautifully, both written and portrayed. Plus, I was pleased that it wasn’t a “will they, won’t they” – no cliché tropes here.

This is playing in the Neville Studio, which is a smaller stage than the main one at Nottingham Playhouse. I’m not sure if it would work quite so well on a bigger scale, as it felt gorgeously intimate being close to the characters during what is an intimate story of friendship.

While it may not change your views on anything or leave you thinking hard, if you’re looking for a show that will grip your attention and emotions throughout, all without being too long, Scenes from a Friendship is certainly worth a watch. It’s fun, fresh, and full of feeling.

Scenes from a Friendship is playing at Nottingham Playhouse until June 12 (nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk).

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

✉️ Enjoyed this week’s edition? Subscribe for free to get our articles in your inbox. Notts Going On gets sent out every Monday, and then we also send out a weekend read.

Subscribe now

Already subscribed to The Notts Edit? Thank you! You can also share us with friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else who might like what we do. The more people that know about us, the more we can help discover the best of the rebel county.

Share The Notts Edit

☕ And, if you want to support our writing, you can buy us a coffee for just £5 on Ko-fi. We’re an independent publication and don’t put any articles behind paywalls, nor fill the site with ads.

Support The Notts Edit

Notts Going On

By Katherine Aucock, Eve Smallman and Sam Swain

What’s On 🗓️

Legally Blonde 🎭

When: May 19-23
Where: Theatre Royal, Nottingham
How much: From £28pp

The age-old classic film many of us grew up watching, Legally Blonde is hitting the Theatre Royal this week as an all-singing, all-dancing musical. Starring Strictly Come Dancing star Amber Davis as Elle, the show follows her transformation from It Girl fashionista to legal ace at Harvard Law School, all in the name of love. Plus, the show is by the team behind Kinky Boots.

Do if: You’re looking for a high energy girls’ night out packed with pink, nostalgia, and plenty of laughs.

trch.co.uk

Road to Nashville 🤠

When: May 23
Where: Binks Yard, Nottingham
How much: £49.50pp

Located just by the train station, Binks Yard is transforming into a country lover’s dream this weekend. It will host tribute sets covering standout country artists including Dolly Parton, Shania Twain and Miley Cyrus. The event, which runs from 2-10pm, also includes line dancing, a BBQ and smoker, axe throwing and more – so grab your friends, put on your cowboy boots and immerse yourself into the Wild West.

Do if: You are a fan of everything country and would love to meet like-minded people for a day of music, drinks and fun.

binksyard.com

Flying Scotsman Legendary Journeys 🚂

When: May 23-25, May 30-31
Where: Great Central Railway, Ruddington
How much: From £60pp adult, £30pp child

The famous Flying Scotsman is returning to the Midlands for the first time in 25 years. Step aboard for a return journey, which will take you from the Great Central Railway to Loughborough and back while travelling through the beautiful countryside route. Want to make it a real treat? First Class Observation is £99pp, compartments for up to eight are £420, and premium compartments for up to six are £400. All tickets come with a commemorative brochure.

Do if: Hearing the sights and sounds of one of the world’s most famous trains sounds wonderful to you.

foxandedwards.com

Luminarium: Timisien 🌈

​When: May 23-31
Where: Lakeside Arts, Beeston
How much: From £6.50pp, free under 18 months

The Nottingham-based Architects of Air are presenting their new Luminarium Timisien, which will have soaring domes and winding labyrinths. Before the event kicks off, there will be a talk and tour by founder Alan Parkinson on May 22, who we interviewed in last week’s long-read. We have been to previous Luminariums and can confirm they’re unique sensory experiences.​

Do if: You’d like to escape for just a little while – this remarkable ‘world’ is just a tram hop away.

lakesidearts.org.uk

Dot to Dot Festival 🎶

When: May 24
Where: Various venues across the city
How much: £39.38pp

This Sunday, music festival Dot To Dot is showcasing new and emerging acts around the city. Many big names have started out here, such as Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, and The 1975. With more than 65 local names added to the line-up, alongside national and international artists, it’s one of the biggest events in Nottingham’s music calendar this year.

Do if: You want to make the most of your bank holiday and love discovering the next big names in music.

alttickets.com

More events:

Out and About 🌈

Hot Property 🏡

Ever wondered what it might be like to live in a country home? This five-bedroom home in Widmerpool will allow you to live out that fantasy. Downstairs is filled with cosy fireplaces, soaring ceilings, and wooden beams. We especially love the cream kitchen dining room with a matching AGA. Upstairs are the spacious bedrooms, including a principal with an en-suite and its own dressing room (the dream!). Outside is a lovely large lawn, as well as a paved area for al fresco dining. Oh, and it’s under a million – the guide price is £900,000 and it’s marketed by Savills. rightmove.co.uk

News 🗞

🕰️ Time out: The famous Emett Clock in the Victoria Centre has been removed for a full overhaul by the man who volunteers his time to maintain it. It is being broken down into thousands of parts to allow Pete Dexter to check it over and make repairs, and is expected to be gone for about six months. Pete, a retired engineer who has maintained the clock for more than a decade, said it would be “better and brighter” when it returned. bbc.co.uk

🍗 Goodbye for now: The fried chicken restaurant Mollis sadly shut its doors last Saturday. In an Instagram post on Alchemilla’s page, which is also owned by chef Alex Bond, the Michelin-star chef said, “Nearly 2,500 people served in just 12 days shows how much the people love what they do. The food, the service, the vibes all absolutely spot on. I one for one am excited for its next chapter.” We hope to see it pop up again soon. @alchemillarestaurant

Scores on the Doors 🏆

🌳 Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United in controversial circumstances at Old Trafford. The Reds twice battled back to equalise after falling behind, first through Morato, then through Morgan Gibbs-White, before Bryan Mbeumo’s late winner. United’s second goal was given despite Mbeumo appearing to handle the ball in the build-up. Forest remain 16th in the Premier League, having secured safety last week.

🐦 Notts County

Notts County will be playing in the League Two playoff final next Monday after a 1-0 aggregate win over Chesterfield. Martin Paterson’s side came into the home leg of the playoff semi-finals with a one goal advantage, and thanks to some solid defending and a fine save by James Belshaw, a 0-0 was all that was needed to book a place against Salford at Wembley.

🏏 Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club

Nottinghamshire played out a home draw against Surrey last week to remain top of the County Championship. Joe Clarke scored 129 in the first innings and Ben Duckett, who was named in England Test squad this week, made 209 in the second. Josh Tongue, who also made the squad, took 4-89. Notts’ match away at Hampshire is underway.

🏍️ Motorcycle racing

Jacksdale’s Kyle Ryde made it five wins from the opening six races of the British Superbike Championship with two wins at Donington Park. After finishing third in Race One, Ryde set the fastest BSB racing lap at the circuit on his way to a Race Two win before a comfortable victory in the third. This allowed him to extend his Championship lead over Scott Redding and Leon Haslam.

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

We spoke with founder Alan Parkinson about how the structures took shape, what the design process is like, and what to expect from Luminarium Timisien, which is at Lakeside Arts from May 23-31 (lakesidearts.org.uk).

If you’re looking for May events and things to do in Nottingham, this is a real highlight. For more features and guides, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.

Subscribe now

Luminarium creator Alan Parkinson is creating immersive experiences in Nottingham and beyond

By Eve Smallman

In this world, it can be difficult to find something that is a completely unique experience – but the Architect of Air’s Luminariums are certainly just that. The colourful inflatable structures have toured everywhere from Australia to America – but they’re hand-built here in Nottingham, and they originated here too.​

They’re masterminded by Alan Parkinson, who came to Nottingham in the 1980s as a photography student at Trent Polytechnic. It was here that he took on a part-time job – one that you might not think would capture the imagination, but certainly did. “I worked for the probation service, driving a minibus with offenders who had to do their punishments in the community,” he explains. “Their project was to take an air bed that had been made before I joined the project, and take it out to after-school groups, inner city place schemes, and to special schools and centres for adults with day centres for adults with special needs.”

With the encouragement from the probation service, he extended his role, and the project grew to be a full time job over a period of approximately 10 years. By 1992, they had evolved the air bed into two or three structures that people could go inside for an experience of light and colour. “The third structure was one that was a collaboration with a theatre company from Loughborough and a day centre for adults with special needs – that was collaborative in design because it was intended to be a performance space, and we toured that around the country.”

While the project folded in 1992 as it was no longer able to continue as a charity, Alan bought off the project and the last structure built, and began to tour it himself as the first Architect of Air. “It was a bit of a challenge to find work for a big structure and something almost impossible to frame in a way that would make sense to most people, and also, because my starting point was not from doing it out of an art context.”

Alan wasn’t claiming the work to be art, nor it a play area either. “I was just purely trying to sell the work and on its own merits in terms of how popular it was for people and how people liked it.” They certainly do – over 20 years later, and they have been explored by thousands of people across the globe.

Each new structure is a variation on a theme. “They are all ever trying to create an ideal frame for the phenomenon of light and the beauty of colour,” Alan says. While different ones have been built, the core elements largely remain the same. “It’s always about building a scale where you have the opportunity to get lost and to lose yourself – so that kind of labyrinthine aspect is unchanging,” Alan explains. “The experience of the surprising radiance has become more refined, certainly than in the earlier days, as I couldn’t afford to get the plastic colour qualities that I wanted.”​

With it being such a unique experience, Alan often finds people struggle to describe it. “People want to try and put it into words and struggle to find ways to do so – but I think you have to be curious to go into that kind of structure,” says Alan. “They slow down, and the space encourages them to become more reflective – it also very much encourages connection and shared experience when visiting with people, while as an individual going on, some people find it spiritual and get quite touched and moved.”

The latest structure for Lakeside Arts is Luminarium Timsien, which was originally built for the Romanian city of Timișoara’s European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2020 (it did make it there eventually, in 2024). “It is a relatively big structure compared to some of the preceding ones – all the structures that preceded it had always been domes connected by tunnels, whereas Timisien is part of a cycle of four,” Alan explains.

He continues, “It’s basically a collection of high domes that are connected into almost like a grid, and then we’ve got one higher dome that has got a pattern inspired by Gaudí’s dome ceiling with a little point of light,” says Alan. The main dome has an unusual pattern inspired by Islamic architecture and design, which he loves. “I like working with patterns like that, because I think when you look at them, the mind tries to organise them or to understand their organisation – and I think that can take you into a little bit of a meditative space.”

Alan says that structures like Timisien are more monolithic and, in a way, less commercially practical, because the advantage of the domes connected by tunnels was that they could be configured. This can make it difficult to set up in city squares and car parks. However, the beauty of being at Lakeside is that it’s a site with no restrictions.

Being here also means that they’re able to get comparative feedback from visitors, as it’s one site that the Architects of Air consistently revisit. “We have people come in year after year, and then we have their children, which is so nice,” Alan explains. They will also remember the one they’ve been to previously. “I think the structure we brought last year, Myriad, fell short of expectations – it fell a bit short of mine as well – but it’s good to have that feedback that’s unique to Lakeside.”

Wondering why you should visit? Having been to Luminariums myself in the past, Alan asks me what I would say when I pose this question, and I say to go in with an open mind. “I think you’re so right,” he says. “I agonise a bit about not being a salesperson, but I think one thing that is worthwhile for a human to experience is a sense of their own being that comes through a sense of wonder – whether an amazing sky, a murmuration of starlings, or just something that is just kind of wow and that makes you feel like you’re alive.”

However, Alan doesn’t want to tell people to come with a sense of wonder. “If you tell somebody to come here and they will have that, and they go in and don’t experience that, you don’t want them to be disappointed,” he finishes by saying. “I would just agree… I would like people to come with an open mind.” Whether you’re going with family, friends, or simply by yourself, this is the way to truly embrace what the Luminariums have to offer.

Luminarium: Timisien is at Lakeside Arts from May 23-31. lakesidearts.org.uk
architects-of-air.com

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

Sunday saw the city really come to life with two very different events – the Nottingham Super Soapbox Challenge and Wing Fest, both of which were hosted here for the first time. It was so fantastic to see these here and for them to show that Nottingham can handle and embrace major events just as well as bigger places.

✉️ Enjoyed this week’s edition? Subscribe for free to get our articles in your inbox. Notts Going On gets sent out every Monday, and then we also send out a weekend read.

Subscribe now

Already subscribed to The Notts Edit? Thank you! You can also share us with friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else who might like what we do. The more people that know about us, the more we can help discover the best of the rebel county.

Share The Notts Edit

☕ And, if you want to support our writing, you can buy us a coffee for just £5 on Ko-fi. We’re an independent publication and don’t put any articles behind paywalls, nor fill the site with ads.

Support The Notts Edit

Notts Going On

By Tillie Dale, Eve Smallman and Sam Swain

What’s On 🗓️

Wellbeing Walk with Thriving Nottingham 🚶‍♀️

When: May 13
Where: Nottingham Central Library
How much: Free entry

In support of Mental Health Awareness Week, Nottingham Library has teamed up with Thriving Nottingham for a 4km walk around the city. It will begin at the library and cover 45 minutes alongside the beautiful canal. The walk will be almost entirely on flat terrain, making it fit for everyone to take part in. It starts at 11am, so if you’re working in the city, it could be a lovely option for an early lunch.

Do if: You keep meaning to take time out of your day to go for a walk – this one will make you feel better in more ways than one.

gigantic.com

Wing Wednesday 🍗

When: May 13
Where: Bustler, Nottingham
How much: £1 per wing

Nottingham’s only food hall is launching Wing Wednesdays, with £1 wings all night. It is also hosting a buffalo wing speed eating competition this week to celebrate. Simply sign up on the form and five names will be drawn on the night to take on the 15 wing challenge in front of the crowd. If you’re not competing, you can still head down, grab some street food bites, and watch the action unfold.

Do if: You went to or missed out on Wing Fest last weekend, and are craving some chicken goodness.

@bustler_nottingham

Scenes From a Friendship 🎭

When: May 15-June 12
Where: Nottingham Playhouse
How much: From £18pp

First Year Juniors, Long Eaton, 1987. Kylie’s about to hit number one, and Jess meets Billy for the first time. There’s conflict, competition and mutual intrigue, but they quickly become inseparable. The show follows them across the decades, with plenty of warm and funny moments. This has been written by Nottingham-born Jane Upton, whose previous work (the) Woman ran at the Playhouse before transferring to London’s Park Theatre.

Do if: You’d like to watch something new and support a show with true local roots.

nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

Bootfest 🎉

When: May 16
Where: The Jesse Boot, Beeston
How much: £5pp, £15 for groups of four

Spend the day soaking in the sun and having fun at this Beeston pub, where local bands will be playing cover songs and originals. There will also be an outdoor bar, food vendors, a bouncy castle, and face painting. All proceeds from the event will go to Broxtowe Community Projects – a local food bank charity that is organising the event.

Do if: You’d like to do something lovely with the family, all while raising money for a good cause.

eventbrite.co.uk

Girls Night Out 🎉

When: May 16
Where: Binks Yard, Nottingham
How much: From £23.35pp

The ultimate feel-good live music party is coming to the city centre this weekend. Featuring back-to-back live tribute performances to Beyonce, Rihanna, Harry Styles, Robbie Williams and many more, it’s set to be eight hours of non-stop music. Fire eaters and dancers will also add to the atmosphere, and there will even be a hair and glitter station (because you’re never too old!).

Do if: You love a range of popular artists, and would rather see ‘them’ in Nottingham than travelling/paying an extortionate amount.

skiddle.com

More events:

Theatre 🎭

Hot Property 🏡

A small taste of Selling Sunset in Nottingham, this three-bedroom home is a modern dream. Perfect for family living, it has an open-plan living and dining space that flows seamlessly into the kitchen (peep the two ovens!), bedrooms with ample space (one has inbuilt wardrobes), and two stylish bathrooms – one upstairs and one downstairs. Outside might just be the best part, with a stone patio with chic planters, a lawn, and curved paving for breezy zoning. The guide price is £425k and it’s marketed by HoldenCopley. rightmove.co.uk

News 🗞

🏏 How saucy: You might know that HP Sauce was made in Nottingham – but the recipe was sold to the Midlands Vinegar Company. However, this one truly is a Nottinghamshire Sauce, with it being a collaboration between the Sauce Shop and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club. With deep savouring notes, it’s made with mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes, and goes brilliantly on foods such as cheese and toast and eggs. The limited edition sauce is available now. sauceshop.co

🌟 Star power: This is an hour away from Nottingham, but it is a big deal, so we couldn’t not share it. Nobu Hospitality, which was co-founded by actor Robert De Niro, has unveiled plans for its first UK countryside retreat, partnering with Woolfox to develop a luxury hotel, restaurant and branded residences in Rutland. The development will include a Nobu hotel with lake-view rooms and suites, a signature restaurant and bar, spa and wellness facilities. thebusinessdesk.com

🦴 We dig it: A team working prior to the widening of the A46 has excavated more than 23 acres of land across five fields near Newark, revealing items which potentially date back to 6,000BC. Among the discoveries were the remains of seven people, prehistoric flint tools, two probable Anglo-Saxon houses and a Roman well. It is hoped some of the artefacts and findings will be able to go on public display in Newark. bbc.co.uk

Scores on the Doors 🏆

🌳 Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest have secured their Premier League status for another year with a 1-1 home draw with Newcastle. Forest were trailing 1-0 before Elliot Anderson equalised in the 88th minute. The draw itself effectively sealed safety, before West Ham’s defeat later in the evening confirmed it. Forest’s European run is over after Aston Villa beat them 4-0 in the Europa League semi-final second leg.

🐦 Notts County

Notts County hold a 1-0 advantage over Chesterfield after the first leg of the League Two play-off semi-final. Jayden Luker tapped home from a Tom Iorpenda cross to put the away side in front, ahead of the second leg at Meadow Lane on Friday night.

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

​I’ve rounded up some of the best theatres across the county, from the most famous to some lesser-known hidden gems. Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping night out or to discover something new, there’s sure to be a place for everyone.​ I’m often out and about watching shows around the area, and love how much the city and county’s theatre scene has to offer.

For those looking for things to do in Nottingham, watching a show is a fun activity. For more guides and features, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.

Subscribe now

7 of the best theatres around Nottingham

By Charlotte Brudenell

1. Theatre Royal and Concert Hall

​Where: Theatre Square, Nottingham

​This theatre is probably the county’s biggest and most famous theatre, so of course it is top of our list. It hosts some of the larger national tours of famous shows, as well as music acts and comedians. Show-wise, think big names like SIX the Musical, Miss Saigon, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. As well as this, Jimi Hendrix played a legendary show here in 1967, Lily Allen played here to promote her album West End Girl, and bands like James and The Divine Comedy have also performed. It is also over 160 years old, and has a beautiful interior with ornate detailing and sweeping staircases.

Visit if: You want to see a big, professional production in a historic theatre.

trch.co.uk

2. Mansfield Palace Theatre

Where: Leeming Street, Mansfield

​Outside of the city is the Mansfield Palace Theatre, which has been entertaining since 1910. The 1,072-seat venue still has lots of Edwardian features, with rich plasterwork on both the walls and ceiling, as well as a rectangular proscenium arch. It regularly hosts crowd-pleasing shows, like tribute bands, children’s shows, and Shakespeare. Many of these are smaller productions, and it’s well worth taking a visit to go and see something new. As well as this, it hosts classes for children to help them get into the world of theatre and the arts.

Visit if: You want to explore a theatre with unique features and support local performers.​

mansfield.gov.uk

​3. Nottingham Playhouse

Where: Wellington Circus, Nottingham

While it is tucked away from the hustle and bustle, this theatre is worth the trip up Maid Marian Way thanks its remarkably interesting shows. It hosts smaller productions, as well as producing many of its own shows. It prides itself on using its stage to tell diverse stories, making sure everyone’s voice is heard. The Olivier award-winning Punch originated from here, as did the UK production of Dear Evan Hansen. Plus, its yearly pantomime is absolutely iconic, with stunning costumes, local nods, and panto dame John Elkington.​

Visit if: You want to see thought-provoking shows that will stay with you long after.​

nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

4. Lace Market Theatre

Where: Halifax Place, Nottingham

In the centre of Nottingham is the Lace Market Theatre – an independent amateur theatre owned by The Lace Market Theatre Trust. It often plays dramas and comedies, and sometimes musicals too. For amateur theatre, its productions look far from it. It clearly cares deeply about what it does, with each production looking more professional than the last. It’s an absolute hidden gem, and would be easy to miss if you didn’t know it was there. It’s a beautiful little building in the city’s historic Lace Market.​

Visit if: You love a good drama play, whether they be modern or older.

lacemarkettheatre.co.uk

5. Lakeside Arts

​Where: University Park, Beeston

You might have seen the Andy Warhol and Boots exhibitions here, but did you know that Lakeside Arts also has a theatre? Many of the shows are for children, but it also hosts comedy and dance. As well as this, being by the lake makes it the perfect place for a family day out, with Highfields Park being a local beauty spot. Also, there are two lovely cafes on site, so you can grab a bite to eat or a coffee after watching a show. It’s located on the University of Nottingham campus, so you can easily get here via tram.

Visit if: You love to celebrate the arts or want to take your little ones on a day out.

lakesidearts.org.uk

6. The Nottingham New Theatre

Where: Cherry Tree Hill, Nottingham​

Located at the University of Nottingham, The Nottingham New Theatre prides itself on being England’s only fully student-run theatre. It has a membership of over 200 students every year, and they get involved in every aspect that makes the theatre work. It hosts a range of productions, from student-written plays to famous works. There have also been times when the students have taken their plays to the Edinburgh Fringe, receiving professional reviews on their work. This is celebrated at its own fringe festival, which the public can also attend.​

Visit if: You’d like to celebrate student-written work and help it get out there.

newtheatre.org.uk

7. Nottingham Arts Theatre

Where: George Street, Hockley

Nestled in the heart of Hockley, this small, 270-seater theatre is the perfect venue to see smaller, intimate shows. It hosts a lot of community and youth projects, making it the perfect place to support the people of Nottinghamshire and their work. It was founded in 2001 as an educational charity, and since then has been the city’s best Community Theatre, giving amateur productions a chance to shine, along with hosting tribute acts. Its big comfy seats are excellent for sinking into, and its location makes it ideal for post-show drinks or restaurant visits.

Visit if: Supporting local theatre and community projects is important to you.

nottingham-theatre.co.uk

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com for a chat

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

I went and reviewed it on its UK tour during its Nottingham visit. It is currently travelling around the country until 2027 (sixthemusical.com). I have been lucky enough to see it six times before, making my visit to Nottingham my seventh. This means I have a real understanding of the show and what the latest production does differently.

If you’re looking for May events in Nottingham, SIX is playing at the Theatre Royal until May 9 (trch.co.uk). For more reviews and features, subscribe to The Notts Edit for free.

Subscribe now

SIX the Musical at Theatre Royal, Nottingham review
★★★★

By Charlotte Brudenell
Photos by Pamela Raith

History, but not like you remember it from school. SIX the Musical has taken the world by storm, with a continuous run in London’s West End since 2017, multiple international productions and has received over 35 theatre awards since its debut.

There has been so much hype around this show since it debuted a few years ago. There’s no doubt it helped to make musical theatre grow in popularity, giving it a fresh, new look. I have been lucky enough to see this show six times before, making my visit to Nottingham my seventh. It certainly is popular for a reason.

​The musical is based on the six wives of King Henry VIII, who come together to form a pop girl group, making it a competition to see which queen was the best. It’s an 80-minute-long show, which isn’t as long as some musicals, with no interval. Unlike other musicals, it is staged as a concert, immersing the audience into the experience.​

Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss wrote the show while they were studying at Cambridge University, and they decided to take the show to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017. From then on, it rapidly grew into something much bigger.

As soon as the show starts, it’s easy to fall in love. The opening song Ex Wives lets you learn about each queen, as they give a brief verse each on what they are well known for. It’s such an upbeat song that it brings all the energy to the auditorium.

My favourite part of the show, and it’s hard not to be mesmerised by, is the costuming. Gabriella Slade has won many awards for her bright, out-there costumes, which perfectly represent the history and personality of each queen. Most recently, she won an Olivier award for her costume design for the Paddington musical.

Personally, I believe this cast wasn’t as cohesive as others I have seen, which slightly disappointed me. They didn’t seem to work together; unlike in other productions, they just played their part with minimal interaction with their castmates. This made the show seem clunky and didn’t give the perfect illusion that it was a tight-knit girl band.

​That being said, I have to say that Yna Montarde is the standout performer. Her portrayal of Anne Boleyn was close to perfection, making the character fun and spiky, and not afraid to poke fun at the other queens.

​The songs are also so fun and catchy – it’s hard to leave the theatre not humming the tune to at least one of the songs. Each queen sings their own song as part of the ‘competition’, with Marlow and Moss basing each character on existing female pop icons. There’s a healthy mix of upbeat anthems as well as slow ballads.

Another aspect I appreciate about the show is its inclusivity. They cast women from all backgrounds, no matter their accent or appearance. As well as this, all the queens sing and act in their normal accents, making it a celebration of all cultures.

The performance that I saw was also a BSL interpreted performance, and I was mesmerised by the interpreter on stage! She was so incredible at this, and I often felt my eyes drifting from the stage to watch her instead.

​SIX the Musical is a modern musical theatre staple. It’s a must-see show, as it changed the game for musicals in general. For those who want to see a short but sweet feminist show, with incredible visuals and a bunch of fun songs, then this is for you. Or, if you’re simply a fan of Tudor history, I highly recommend it. It truly is herstory reclaimed.

SIX the Musical is playing at the Theatre Royal until May 9 (trch.co.uk) and is currently travelling around the country until 2027 (sixthemusical.com).

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

A note from the editor

For two and a half years, The Notts Edit has been publishing newsletters and weekend reads. We’ve also been reviewing some of the best of what the area has to offer, and from this week we’ll be sending these out to subscribers.

The mid-week review will be (you guessed it) a review, an opinion piece, or a short feature about something our writers have seen, eaten, or done in the Rebel County. You’ll see the first in your inbox this week, and we’ll be looking to bring them to you weekly.

I’m excited to continue growing The Notts Edit, and I hope you’ll all enjoy this addition to your inbox. For any queries on this, whether questions about the change or to discuss opportunities, please do email me at editor@thenottsedit.com.

Eve

✉️ Enjoyed this week’s edition? Subscribe for free to get our articles in your inbox. Notts Going On gets sent out every Monday, and then we also send out a weekend read.

Subscribe now

Already subscribed to The Notts Edit? Thank you! You can also share us with friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else who might like what we do. The more people that know about us, the more we can help discover the best of the rebel county.

Share The Notts Edit

☕ And, if you want to support our writing, you can buy us a coffee for just £5 on Ko-fi. We’re an independent publication and don’t put any articles behind paywalls, nor fill the site with ads.

Support The Notts Edit

Notts Going On

By Charlotte Brudenell, Eve Smallman, and Sam Swain

What’s On 🗓️

Murder Mystery Night 🍷

When: May 8
Where: Kelham Hall, Newark
How much: £60pp

The 19th-century stately home has to be one of the best settings for a murder mystery in the county – and you’re invited to solve a new case. The Garden family needs to sell their home, but the spirit of the young scullery maid, Mari Gold, is scaring potential buyers. Will the truth finally be uncovered? The event is interactive, but you’re not required to roleplay – all you need to do is crack the case and enjoy a three-course meal.

Do if: You’d like to liven up your Friday night with a real treat of a tale in an immersive setting.

renaissance-kelham.com

Wing Fest 🍗

When: May 8-10
Where: OUT Nottingham
How much: From £21.45pp

The world’s largest chicken wing festival is making its way to Nottingham for the first time ever. You can tuck into delicious bites from vendors such as Nottingham’s own Mollis, Derby’s BOA, and Manchester’s Hello Oriental. For true wing aficionados, the festival’s legendary Eating Competition will take centre stage. Plus, there will be live music, axe throwing, bourbon masterclasses, competitions, games and arcades.

Do if: You love a good chicken wing and fancy trying a wide variety – why have one when you can have 10, right?

wingfest.co.uk

Betano Ladies Day 👗

When: May 9
Where: Nottingham Racecourse
How much: From £29pp

It’s time to pick out your fanciest frock and most fabulous fascinator – Ladies Day is back at Nottingham Racecourse. The Style Awards will be bigger and better than ever, with prizes for the best dressed. Not only this, but you can also watch an exhilarating race, before dancing to DJ music and watching the Style Awards presentation. The gates open at 11.40am and the last race is at 5.10pm.

Do if: You fancy treating yourself and the girls to a glam day out.

thejockeyclub.co.uk

Pugin’s Paints Workshop 🎨

When: May 9
Where: Nottingham Cathedral
How much: £15pp

Learn all about the art of natural pigment paint making with pigment pro Lucy Mayes. After a tour of the paint works in the Cathedral, you’ll take part in this workshop and experiment with traditional methods of preparing paints with natural pigments. This is all in the spirit of Pugin and his designs in the Cathedral. The cathedral is currently undergoing restoration work to uncover A.W.N Pugin’s original design work – see if you can spot the stars on the ceiling.

Do if: You’d like to get creative in a new way, all while discovering a hidden part of the city’s history.

eventbrite.co.uk

Nottingham Super Soapbox Challenge 🏁

When: May 10
Where: Old Market Square, Nottingham
How much: Free for spectators

The heart of the city is going to be transformed into a racecourse this weekend. Get ready to watch people who have made their own soapboxes race down the street into the Old Market Square to see whose make-shift race car is the best. This will be fun for all the family, with it not only being an exhilarating race (including a 4-metre ramp!) but also showcasing creativity, with each soapbox being designed specially. There will also be entertainment on and off the track.

Do if: You love a bit of light entertainment and would like to see a brand new event in the city.

supersoapboxchallenge.co.uk

More events:

Food and Drink 🍽️

Hot Property 🏡

Bright and spacious, this five-bedroom home in Lambley brings together contemporary chicness and characterful warmth perfectly. Highlights downstairs include the large kitchen with a spacious island built for hosting, as well as the cosy living room with a fireplace and stretching wooden beams. On the first floor, you’ll find three bedrooms, alongside the family bathroom with grey marble-style tiling and a huge bathtub. The other two bedrooms sit on the lower level, conveniently next to the games room, where a shower room also sits. The guide price is £650k and it’s marketed by David James. rightmove.co.uk

News 🗞

🕯️ City of caves: Nottingham has reached a recorded milestone of 1,000 caves beneath its streets. The city sits on soft sandstone, a material easy to carve, which allowed generations to create underground spaces across centuries. Systematic recording began in the late 2000s, when known cave sites stood at around 425. Since then, the documented total has grown, and recent years have brought a faster rise, with dozens of new entries added annually through document research and field investigation. archeologymag.com

📺 Cloaks on: Anyone else glued to the screen when it comes to The Traitors? The celebrity version has announced its season two cast – and Nottingham’s own Bella Ramsey will be taking part. The Game of Thrones and The Last of Us actor will join the likes of Michael Sheen, Richard E. Grant, and James Blunt. The series is due to air later this year. bbc.co.uk

🍏 Save the tree: Campaigners have launched an appeal to try to save the mother tree of our county’s famous cooking apple. The original bramley apple tree, which grows in the garden of a cottage in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, is for sale, with the cottage put on the market by its owners, Nottingham Trent University. Rather than have the 220-year-old tree fall into private hands with no public access, campaigners are seeking to raise £250,000 to buy the property and turn it into a heritage centre. theguardian.com / crowdfunder.co.uk

🥃 Cheers to that: Welbeck Estate-based rum brand DropWorks Rum has been listed with luxury high-end store Fortnum & Mason. This will initially offer the DropWorks Rum Gift Set, Barrel Drop and the limited-edition Distiller’s Drop #001. “With our rum crafted and distilled in Britain using quality and natural ingredients, being listed by such a prestigious retailer is a huge achievement,” said Lewis Hayes, DropWorks Rum founder and master distiller. dropworks.co.uk

Scores on the Doors 🏆

🌳 Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest’s fine run of form continued with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the Europa League semi-final, followed by a 3-1 away win over Chelsea in the Premier League. Chris Wood’s penalty gave the Red the edge in the Europa League semi-final ahead of the away leg, while goals from Taiwo Awoniyi and Igor Jesus blew away Chelsea and lifted Forest to 42 points, needing just four more to guarantee safety.

🦌 Mansfield Town

Mansfield Town finished 10th in League One after a thrilling 5-4 home win over Cardiff. The result means that the Stags ended their season on a six-match unbeaten run, and can be proud of a year in which they also hosted Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth Round.

🐦 Notts County

Notts County missed out on automatic promotion following a 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers. Results elsewhere meant that Notts’ result was irrelevant, and the Magpies will face rivals Chesterfield in the playoffs, with the first leg on Sunday.

🏏 Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club

Nottinghamshire moved to the top of the County Championship after a comfortable win over Leicestershire. Ben Slater scored 178, and Liam Patterson-White took 5-53 to wrap up a 10-wicket victory.

🏍️ Motorcycle racing

Jacksdale’s own Kyle Ryde won the opening three races of the British Superbike season at Oulton Park, starting his title defence in style. Ryde is bidding to become a three-time champion this year.

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

We have narrowed them down based on quality, the options available, and value for money. From quick grab-and-go options to a relaxed sit-down meal, this list has a range of options for you to choose from. Plus, The Notts Edit team has visited them all.

If you’re looking for restaurants in Nottingham that serve up delicious midday meals, these are all worth checking out. For more guides like this, subscribe to The Notts Edit for free.

Subscribe now

7 of the best lunch deals around Nottingham

By Tillie Dale

1. Piccalilli

When: Thursday-Friday 12-2.30pm and 5-5.45pm
Where: Cannon Court, Nottingham
How much: A snack and two plates for £25, dessert extra £7

With a Bib Gourmand under its belt and elevated British and European flavours, Piccalilli is one of the best restaurants in Nottingham. The menu changes regularly, but a sample of what it offers includes snacks like devilled eggs with hot sauce mayo and Welsh rarebit croquettes, as well as plates like Jersey royals with leeks and smoked bacon with rhubarb and ginger jam.

The set menu is also available when the restaurant opens for evening service – Theatre Royal and Nottingham Playhouse are within walking distance, making it a lovely option for a pre-theatre meal.

Visit if: You’re looking for a stylish bite with flavours both comforting and impressive.​

piccalillinottingham.co.uk

2. Taquero

When: Tuesday-Thursday 11:30am-6pm and Friday 11-30am-5pm
Where: Heathcoat Street, Hockley
How much: Two dishes, totopos, and salsa for £18

With its chic terracotta interior and al fresco dining area, this is a beautiful spot for lunch – and the food is just as fabulous. The deal includes two dishes, including tacos from the popular birria tacos to fish or vegetarian options like queso halloumi or tenderstem broccoli.

If tacos aren’t your thing, it also has classics in the deal, such as crispy fried pork belly and tamarind ribs. Plus, it has double margaritas for £16 all-day Tuesday-Wednesday – though you might want to go steady on these if you have work after.​

Visit if: You are looking for lunch that will make you feel on holiday – the sunny outdoor seating and bright flavours will do just that.

taquero.co.uk

​3. Fat Hippo

When: Monday-Friday, 12-5pm
Where: Broad Street, Hockley
How much: Burger, side, two tenders, and a soft drink for £20​

This burger joint makes choosing a tough job, thanks to its decadent menu. Beef options include the Fat Hippo with chorizo and bacon and the Born Slippy with braised pork meat and jalapenos, while chicken ones include the Caesar Sando and the Honey Shot with hot honey and candied chillies.

Its sides are all-American, with waffle fries, tater tots, and purple slaw on offer. Vegans are well-catered to as well, with the Five Lies with American mustard and cajun onion rings, along with the Sloppy Faux and vegan tenders for sides.

Visit if: There’s nothing more satisfying for you than sinking your teeth into a good burger.

​fathippo.co.uk

​4. Everyday People

When: Thursday-Friday, 12-3pm
Where: Byard Lane, Nottingham
How much: One main and one snack for £17

One of Nottingham’s hottest ramen spots, Everyday People is loved by Jay Rayner and Tim Hayward, and is the mastermind of Masterchef finalist Pete Hewitt. The ramen comes in a wide range of styles, from the creamy tonkotsu pork to the citrusy yuzu shio, and even vegan and vegetarian options like the kare miso and vegan shoyu.

Snacks include house pickles and steamed edamame, or upgrade for an extra £1 for a deluxe snack like the wing of the week or tempura prawns. And if you’re in the mood for a tipple, its happy hour is all day Thursday and Friday.​

Visit if: You are looking for a full-flavour lunch in a relaxed dining spot.

​theeverydaypeople.co.uk

5. Cheese & Pasta Co

When: Monday-Friday, 12-4pm
Where: Chilwell Road, Beeston and The Poultry, Nottingham
How much: Any pasta and any drink for £8, any sandwich and any drink for £7.50

​You might have seen this spot on your Instagram feed, with its parmesan pasta wheel being a huge hit. Whether you like cheesy alfredo pasta or tomatoey arrabbiata, it offers any pasta dish in its deal.

​The ciabatta sandwiches also offer a brilliant variety, with mozzarella and pesto, pastrami, and spicy honey chicken being among the fillings. And if you have a sweet tooth, a classic tiramisu can be added to the sandwich deal for an extra £4.50, or you can get dessert and a drink for £6.

Visit if: You love Italian food or are simply looking for a quality meal for under £10 – this is the cheapest deal in our guide.

@cheeseandpastaco

6. The Old Vol

When: Monday-Friday 12-3pm
Where: Caythorpe Road, Caythorpe
How much: Two courses for £22 and three courses for £27

Just a short 25-minute drive outside of Nottingham town centre is the stunning pub restaurant The Old Vol. The pub offers a large garden space with fire pits and dining pods, making it the perfect place to socialise and eat al fresco with friends and family.

The menu is full of elegant crowd pleasers – think salt and pepper squid and heritage beetroot with whipped cream for starters, as well as chicken caesar salads, burgers, fish and chips, and rigatoni for mains. You can even get flat iron steak for an extra £8 and a sharing chateaubriand for £50. It also has gluten free options available for many of its dishes.​

Visit if: You’d like to have a scenic lunch on the outskirts of Nottingham.

oldvolpub.co.uk

​7. Bistrot Pierre

When: Monday-Friday, 12-3pm
Where: Milton Street, Nottingham
How much: Two courses for £15.95

​A taste of France isn’t far away in the city, with Bistro Pierre being conveniently located right by the Victoria Centre. The lunchtime prix fixe has dishes such as soup of the day, whitebait, and mushroom vol au vent for entrees, and coq au vin, French-style cottage pie, and Moroccan tagine for mains.

It also offers gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. Oh, and the high ceilings, tall windows, and hanging pendant lights add a sophisticated look to the interior – sure to impress any lunch date.

Visit if: You are looking for a chic luncheon that is a little more formal, but still offers great value for money.

​bistrotpierre.co.uk

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com for a chat

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

How about this sunshine, right? The county just feels so much better and brighter to explore with it. I have been particularly enjoying Woodthorpe Park (nottinghamcity.gov.uk) recently, which has a cute train and pretty cherry blossoms. I hope you’ve all managed to catch some rays, or at least can this bank holiday. Notts Going On will be back in your inbox next Tuesday.

✉️ Enjoyed this week’s edition? Subscribe for free to get our articles in your inbox. Notts Going On gets sent out every Monday, and then we also send out a weekend read.

Subscribe now

Already subscribed to The Notts Edit? Thank you! You can also share us with friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else who might like what we do. The more people that know about us, the more we can help discover the best of the rebel county.

Share The Notts Edit

☕ And, if you want to support our writing, you can buy us a coffee for just £5 on Ko-fi. We’re an independent publication and don’t put any articles behind paywalls, nor fill the site with ads.

Support The Notts Edit

Notts Going On

By Eve Smallman and Sam Swain

What’s On This Week 🗓️

SIX the Musical 🎭

When: April 28-May 9
Where: Theatre Royal, Nottingham
How much: From £25pp

Divorced, beheaded, died… but not quite as you know it. The six wives of Henry VIII will be taking to the stage to share their stories, remixing historical heartbreak into pop perfection. The show has won plenty of awards, including the Tony Award for best original score and best costume design, so expect all the catchy songs and dazzling costumes. You can also sip on themed drinks – a Tudor Spritz or Purple Reign.

Do if: You love a good musical and have always found Tudor history’s drama fascinating.

trch.co.uk

Clairvoyant Night With Madame Csazar 🔮

When: May 1
Where: Vale Community Centre, Wollaton Vale
How much: £16.99pp

Join Madame Csazar for a mystical evening, where she’ll meet people she is drawn to and deliver spiritual insight. The evening will start at 6pm with market stalls with crystals and candles, along with the kitchen serving hot beverages and cakes. After this, the show will begin, with an interval in between. There will also be psychic mediums and readings at the market for an extra cost.

Do if: You’ve always fancied the idea of having your fortune read (or are just an open-minded person who’d like to try something new).

eventbrite.co.uk

Spring Beer Festival 🍻

When: May 1-2
Where: The Garage Chilwell
How much: Free entry

The annual Spring Beer Festival is returning to The Garage, with a range of craft beers and real ales from some of the country’s best breweries, as well as locally made ciders. There will also be live music. The event runs from 3-10pm on Friday and 12.30-7pm on Saturday, so plenty of time to hop on down. It’s right next to the High Road tram stop, so it’s simple to get to.

Do if: You’d like to try new beers and soak in the bank holiday sunshine.

thegaragechilwell.co.uk

Family Fest 🌟

When: May 4
Where: Binks Yard, Nottingham
How much: From £24.45pp adult, £9.05pp child

This is technically next Monday, but we’re featuring it to give you enough time to book tickets. This festival will host tribute acts like Antarctic Monkeys, Oasis Supernova, and The ABBA Tribute. Inflatables, stilt walkers, fire eaters, and hair braiding will also add to the family entertainment. Finish the day with a snap in the 360 photo-booth, so you can remember the fun in future.

Do if: You’d like to treat the family to a special day out this bank holiday.

binksyard.com

More events:

What’s On Next Month 🗓️

Hot Property 🏡

Victorian properties always have so much character – and this four-bedroom home in Carlton has plenty of this. Downstairs you’ll find the kitchen with its island and wall-length radiator and the living room with teal blue walls and the feature fireplace. We especially love the colourful tiling in the hallway. Upstairs is also lovely, with the master bedroom and its built-wardrobe being a real highlight. Oh, and the house also has three bathrooms. The guide price is £350k and it’s marketed by HoldenCopley. rightmove.co.uk

News 🗞

🍂 In the works: A statue of Maid Marian is set to be unveiled in Nottingham’s new rain garden this summer. The artwork, which will be created by artist Alicja Biala, will be a silhouette formed entirely of cast-metal fragments, using cast bronze foliage of local native plants around Nottinghamshire. The statue will be cast and created by the artist this spring and summer, with the public able to get involved through a series of workshops being held at BACKLIT Gallery. @thenottsedit

😇 Remarkable art: The famous Knife Angel sculpture, made from over 100,000 seized blades, is in Newark as part of the UK National Youth Anti-Violence Tour until May 20. It is located in front of Newark Town Hall in the town centre and is illuminated each evening. Alongside the Knife Angel’s visit to Newark, a wide range of talks, workshops, school sessions and community activities are taking place throughout its stay. newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk

Scores on the Doors 🏆

🌳 Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest pulled off a remarkable 5-0 away win over Sunderland to put themselves on the brink of Premier League survival. Chris Wood, Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson all scored, along with an own goal, to move the Reds to 39 points. No team has been relegated with this points tally for 15 years.

🦌 Mansfield Town

Mansfield Town thrashed Huddersfield Town 4-1 away to move 11th in the table. Lukas Akins, Regan Hendry and Oliver Irow all scored in a convincing win. The Stags have two games left in the season and will be aiming to finish on a high.

🐦 Notts County

Notts County’s automatic promotion hopes are just about alive after a 1-0 win over Colchester. Nick Tsaroulla scored the game’s only goal, while Notts lost defender Lewis Macari to a serious injury. The Magpies will need to win their final home game of the season against Bristol Rovers and hope other results go their way to secure promotion.

🏏 Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club

Nottinghamshire were made to follow on against Warwickshire in their County Championship match over the weekend, after trailing by 180 after the first innings. In their second innings, Haseeb Hameed made a century and Ben Duckett 92 to leave the match well-poised on its final day.

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

I’ve curated a range of these and have narrowed them down to 10 based on seasonality, specialness, and value for money. For more activities throughout the month, be sure to keep an eye on our Notts Going On newsletter.

If you’re looking for events and things to do across the city and county this month, these are all wonderful options. For more guides and features, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.

Subscribe now

10 things to do in Nottingham this May

By Eve Smallman

1. Murder Mystery Night

When: May 8
Where: Kelham Hall, Newark
How much: £60pp

The 19th-century stately home has to be one of the best settings for a murder mystery in the county – and you’re invited to solve this brand-new case. The Garden family are broke and needs to sell their home – but a spirit is scaring potential buyers, and a mysterious ‘spirit cleanser’ is aiming to help. The event is interactive, but you’re not required to roleplay – all you need to do is crack the case and enjoy a three-course meal.

Do if: You’d like to liven up your Friday night with a real treat of a tale in an immersive setting.

renaissance-kelham.com

2. Wing Fest

When: May 8-10
Where: OUT Nottingham
How much: From £21.45pp, afternoon sessions free for children

The world’s biggest chicken wing festival is landing in Nottingham for the first time ever. Tuck into a variety of wings from popular names in the chicken scene, including our own Mollis from Michelin-starred chef Alex Bond, Derby’s BOA, and Manchester’s Hello Oriental. There will also be eating competitions, axe-throwing, and all the beer and bourbon. It will run across four sessions: Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and evening, and a Sunday afternoon finale, so you can choose just the right time for you.

Do if: You just love a good chicken wing – this is the very best place to try the best of the best.

wingfest.co.uk

3. Nottinghamshire County Show

When: May 9
Where: Newark Showground
How much: From £15pp, free for children

Discover our county’s farming, countryside life and rural culture during this lovely event, which will host together livestock and equine displays and countryside competitions with over 1,500 competitors. Live demonstrations, music, and family-friendly activities will also keep you busy. Plus, you can meet, sample wares from, and shop with local food and drink producers, along with browsing craft stalls.​

Do if: You’d like to learn more about the area’s farmers and makers, and pick up wares straight from the source.

nottinghamshirecountyshow.com

4. Nottingham Super Soapbox Challenge

When: May 10
Where: Old Market Square, Nottingham
How much: Free for spectators

Nottingham’s inaugural soap box race will see a range of teams – from businesses to pals – driving their handmade carts down the gigantic four-metre-high ramp. Off track, there will be entertainment too, with family-friendly photo opportunities. The first cart will go down at 11am, so be sure to bag a great spot before then. However, there will be mega screens and lively commentary, so you’re sure to be part of the action wherever you are.

Do if: You always enjoyed watching the Red Bull Soapbox Race on TV – this is our city’s own version of it.

itsinnottingham.com

5. Flying Scotsman Legendary Journeys

When: May 23-25, May 30-31
Where: Great Central Railway, Ruddington
How much: From £60pp adult, £30pp child

The famous Flying Scotsman is returning to the Midlands for the first time in 25 years. Step aboard for a return journey, which will take you from the Great Central Railway to Loughborough and back while travelling through the beautiful countryside route. Want to make it a real treat? First Class Observation is £99pp, compartments for up to eight are £420, and premium compartments for up to six are £400. All tickets come with a commemorative brochure.

Do if: Hearing the sights and sounds of one of the world’s most famous trains sounds wonderful to you.

foxandedwards.com

6. Luminarium: Timisien

​When: May 23-31
Where: Lakeside Arts, Beeston
How much: From £6.50pp, free under 18 months

The Nottingham-based Architects of Air are presenting their new Luminarium Timisien, which will have soaring domes and winding labyrinths. There are six different sessions – a talk and tour by founder Alan Parkinson (May 22), baby and parent (May 22), the standard one (May 23-31), quieter and calm SEND (May 26), loud and active SEND (May 27), and grown-ups only (May 28). We have been to previous Luminariums and can confirm they’re unique sensory experiences.​

Do if: You’d like to escape for just a little while – this remarkable ‘world’ is just a tram hop away.

lakesidearts.org.uk

7. Dot to Dot

When: May 24
Where: Various venues around Nottingham
How much: From £39.38pp

Over 200 artists will be taking over a host of the city’s venues for a full day of live music. Local ones to look out for include Sancho Panza, Archy and The Astronauts, Drury Hill, and Emidora. The headliners include Lambrini Girls, Ratboys, and Newdad. Many musicians have broken through at this festival, including East Midlands’ own Hard Life, London Grammar, and Jake Bugg – so who knows who you’ll discover?

Do if: You fancy mixing up your playlists with some of the county and country’s finest upcoming acts.

alttickets.com

8. Barnum

When: May 26-30
Where: Nottingham Playhouse
How much: From £17.50pp

Roll up, roll up – P.T. Barnum is coming to town in a spectacular show… well, a show about his life, that is. West End and TV star Lee Mead (who you may recognise from Any Dream Will Do) will lead the way as the showman himself, who brought the magic of the circus to the world. He’ll lead a cast of over 20 acrobats and musicians – so expect plenty of delightful acts, classic show tunes, and a glorious stage set-up filled with fun.

Do if: You loved The Greatest Showman and would like to see the real-life story imagined in a new way.

​nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

9. Matt Forde: Defying Calamity

When: May 31
Where: Theatre Royal, Nottingham
How much: £28.50pp

Political comedian and satirist Matt Forde (Spitting Image, HIGNFY, British Scandal) is bringing his biggest show to date to the Theatre Royal. This is about finding positivity in life despite evidence to the contrary in politics (Matt is known for his uncanny impressions) and his own health, with Matt having undergone cancer treatment. It will be a homecoming for the Nottingham-born comedian, so it’s sure to be a special show.

Do if: You’ve been feeling a bit down about things and would welcome a new perspective on it all.

trch.co.uk

10. Italian Car and Motorcycle Show

When: May 31
Where: Norwood Park, Southwell
How much: From £10pp for exhibitors, visitor entry free

See a range of the finest car models and motorcycles out there during this end-of-the-month spectacular. Iconic models from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini and more will park up, as well as Ducatis, Vespas, and Lambrettas. Make sure to vote for your favourites throughout the day. The taste of Italy doesn’t stop there, with trade stands hosting premium coffees, pizzas, and ice cream. It certainly sounds like dolce vita.

Do if: You’re missing the Mediterranean, and would like to experience it without the flight.

clubalfa.co.uk

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com for a chat

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words

✉️ Enjoyed this week’s edition? Subscribe for free to get our articles in your inbox. Notts Going On gets sent out every Monday, and then we also send out a weekend read.

Subscribe now

Already subscribed to The Notts Edit? Thank you! You can also share us with friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else who might like what we do. The more people that know about us, the more we can help discover the best of the rebel county.

Share The Notts Edit

☕ And, if you want to support our writing, you can buy us a coffee for just £5 on Ko-fi. We’re an independent publication and don’t put any articles behind paywalls, nor fill the site with ads.

Support The Notts Edit

Notts Going On

By Eve Smallman and Sam Swain

What’s On 🗓️

Spring Wine Tasting Night 🍷

When: April 23
Where: Jenkins, Sherwood
How much: £30pp

One of Sherwood’s chicest bars is hosting a first look at its seasonal wine selection. Hosted by expert sommelier Raj Solanki, you’ll enjoy eight carefully chosen wines, alongside a selection of artisanal cheeses. Raj will guide you through each wine, sharing the stories, characteristics, and flavours that make them different. Too busy this week? Jenkins also has a great charcuterie menu, with a bottle of wine and board for two for £30.

Do if: You want to refill your wine cabinet with fresh flavours now the sun’s starting to shine.

jenkinsbar.co.uk

BBC Concert Orchestra: Friday Night Is Music Night 🎶

When: April 24
Where: Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
How much: From £15pp

In this special live edition of BBC Radio 3’s Friday Night is Music Night, the BBC Concert Orchestra, conductor Karen Ní Bhroin and Nottingham’s own pianist Clare Hammond come together to celebrate the best in classical music from the big screen. Expect favourites from Amadeus, Chocolat, Up!, Out of Africa and many more.

Do if: You fancy swapping your film night for a film music night.

trch.co.uk

VW Spring Social 🚗

When: April 24-26
Where: Thoresby Park. Newark
How much: From £10pp adult, £5pp child

Head down to the gorgeous Thoresby Park for a glorious day out filled with VW models. Whether you want to show off your own or see other beauties, there will be over 100 vehicles to view. There will also be over forty traders to shop, live music to dance to, and family entertainment to see. To make it a full weekend, camping options are available.

Do if: You always turn your head whenever a beautiful car or van goes by.

springsocial.vwfestival.co.uk

Lived Fiction 🎭

When: April 25
Where: Lakeside Arts, Beeston
How much: From £12pp, concessions available

Experience dance from multiple perspectives in an evening of masterful performances by disabled, neurodivergent and non-disabled creatives. Stopgap’s choreography will have new meaning through audio description, projection art, and creative captioning. This is a relaxed performance, and there will also be a touch tour at 5pm. Tickets are down to the final few.

Do if: You’d like to see some of the finest dance out there – Stopgap is a global leader of inclusive dance.

lakesidearts.org.uk

Spring Festival at the Secret Walled Garden 🌷

When: April 25-26
Where: Wollaton Park, Nottingham
How much: £2pp, children free

Learn about the history of the Secret Walled Garden during this fun weekend, with facts about what was grown and how the garden looked in its heyday over 100 years ago. You can also meet the volunteers restoring its heritage and growing flowers and vegetables there. This will all be accompanied by refreshments and home bakes, books, and plants for sale. On the Sunday, you can also see Victorian bread oven demonstrations.

Do if: You’d love to discover one of Nottingham’s hidden gems in its finest spring form.

wollatonhall.org.uk

More events:

Food and Drink 🍽️

Hot Property 🏡

This Grade-II listed home in Cropwell Butler is perfect for those who love both regency charm and contemporary touches. Highlights include the dining room with intricate wooden panelling, the open-plan kitchen diner with light grey shaker cabinets, and the living room with an ornate fireplace. Upstairs is just as chic, with a principal bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe and en-suite, as well as five others which are also impressively sized. Outside, the patio is a blank canvas to be played with, as is the enormous lawn. The guide price is £1.975m and it’s marketed by Savills. rightmove.co.uk

News 🗞

🙌 Big steps: One of Nottingham’s most enigmatic historical landmarks, Long Stairs, officially reopened on Sunday for two hours after a restoration project. The stairs were shut and partially destroyed when the slum area was cleared in the 1930s. Over eight years, volunteers led by heritage campaigner Janine Tanner raised £20,000 for clearance and safety work. We visited and it was great to see the hard work pay off and the long queue of people. bbc.co.uk

💸 Fixing up: Newstead Abbey and Nottingham Playhouse have both received money from the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund, which awarded 130 venues around the company a share of a £127.8 million funding boost. The abbey’s £1,550,747 funding will go towards essential roof and drainage repairs, while the theatre’s £285,574 funding will go towards a new lift and energy-efficient lighting. gov.uk

📚 Feeling bookish: Sherwood Library has finally opened after a six-year absence. The opening of the new building in Spondon Street on Friday started with a ribbon cutting ahead of an opening weekend programme of events. Councillor Neghat Khan, leader of Nottingham City Council, told the BBC, “We know how much this library means to local people, and it’s fantastic to see it brought back to life as a bright, modern and welcoming space.” bbc.co.uk

Scores on the Doors 🏆

🌳 Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest took a huge step toward Premier League survival with a 4-1 win over Burnley. The Reds fell behind just before halftime, but a Morgan Gibbs-White hat trick, as well as a last-minute Igor Jesus strike, put Forest 16th, five points clear of Tottenham Hotspur. Forest also progressed to the Europa League semi-final, their first European final for 42 years, with a 1-0 win over Porto. Morgan Gibbs-White scored the goal to set up a tie against Aston Villa.

🦌 Mansfield Town

Mansfield Town drew twice in the last week – first a 0-0 away draw with Leyton Orient, before surrendering a two-goal lead against Luton to draw 2-2. The Stags are 15th in League One.

🐦 Notts County

Notts County’s promotion hopes took another huge hit with a 2-1 defeat at home to Barnet. Notts’ only goal came through Jodi Jones, and leaves them 5th in the League Two table – two points behind third-place Cambridge, who have a game in hand.

🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok

✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com

💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com to receive our media pack

☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words