Notts Going On — DadFest and Bustler Food Hall
Father's Day fun, a farmhouse in Woodborough, food and music news, and more...
Hello and welcome to Notts Going On — your weekly guide with events, property, news, and more.
I love living in Nottingham, but sometimes I like to have a little change of scenery. On Saturday I went to the dark side (aka Derby!) and scouted out its new market hall. I thought the variety of shops and eateries on offer was brilliant, with lots of small business stalls set inside the gorgeous listed interior. I will be honest, though — I did mainly go for the kottu from Nottingham’s Colombo Street, who are now residing there! I highly recommend making the trip. derbymarkethall.co.uk / @derbymarkethall / @colombostreet.uk
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Notts Going On
By Eve Smallman and Sam Swain
What’s On 🗓️
Balloons and Beats Festival 🎈
When: June 14-15
Where: Thoresby Park, Newark
How much: £22pp adult, £15pp child (kids go free with two adults)
This festival was supposed to take place last month at Wollaton Hall, but has been moved to this month at the lovely Thoresby Park. See a host of mesmerising hot air balloon displays throughout the day, as well as music from tribute acts and stunt shows. If you’re bringing little ones, they’ll love entertainment like the fairground rides, craft stalls, and character meet and greets.
Do if: Hot air balloons have always seemed magical to you.
Nottingham Poetry Festival 📚
When: June 13-22
Where: Various venues around Nottingham
How much: Mix of free and ticketed events
With it celebrating its 10th year, this is the perfect time to go out and support this festival. Expect poetry slams, workshops, debates, and more, including the launch party (June 12, Fox and Grapes), Chaos Casino by Bridie Squires (June 13-14, Nottingham Playhouse), and Notts vs Derby Poetry Slam (June 15, The Old Cold Store). Be sure to check out the full programme, as there are over 40 events on offer.
Do if: You enjoy (or like the idea of enjoying) spoken word performances.
Lexus Nottingham Open 🎾
When: June 14-22
Where: Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre
How much: Ground admission from £11pp, centre court from £11pp
This combined women's and men's tennis tournament takes place on outdoor grass courts and features 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams. It is an important step for Wimbledon, so expect them to be seriously competitive. As well as court-side action, there will be tournaments and activities to take part in such as the family fun weekend this weekend, which will have coaching clinics and have-a-go sessions.
Do if: The French Open final thoroughly thrilled you.
DIY Wine Tasting and Trail 🍷
When: June 14
Where: Hanwell Wine Estate, Hickling Pastures
How much: £16.96pp
Discover wines at your own pace during this relaxed tasting and trail. You’ll sample six different family-made wines, read the tasting notes as you sip, and then wander around the estate following the trail map. It’s a good idea to book a Notts Bus on Demand, a taxi, or a lift, as it is right on the outskirts of Nottinghamshire. If you can’t make this date, it is also hosting the tasting and trail during its open days from June 21-22 and June 27-29.
Do if: You’d love to spend the day drinking wine in the countryside.
DadFest 🍺
When: June 15
Where: Binks Yard, Nottingham
How much: £15pp adult, £7.50pp child
What better way to celebrate Father’s Day than heading to a mini-festival packed with fun and activities? These will include a Daddeoke singing competition (with prizes!), a football speed-kicking challenge, and a surf simulator. The ticket price includes a pint of beer or a glass of prosecco for adults and a soft drink for children. There will also be a BBQ on the day, but you could also go to Binks or Cleaver & Wake for a Sunday roast.
Do if: You’re looking for a Father’s Day event that the whole family will enjoy.
More events:
Food and Drink 🍽️
Pici’s Ryon Ishfaq on perfecting pasta and Nottingham becoming a food destination
One of the hottest restaurants in Hockley, Pici is serving up fresh pasta, pizzettes, and small plates in the heart of Nottingham.
Hot Property 🏡
Hall Farm House was once the principal farmhouse to the Woodborough Hall estate — and it has a gorgeous rustic interior that matches its history very well. Every room is picturesque, from the cosy living room to the bright kitchen with its own breakfast bar. It also has six bedrooms, including a master with a hotel-style en-suite. Outside, you’ll find a sprawling lawn and tons of space to dine outside, including a very cool record-clad deck. It’s marketed by Emma Terry and listed at £975k (under a mil? Not bad!). rightmove.co.uk
News 🗞
🍽️ Food for thought: Bustler opened its food hall expansion last Thursday, with four permanent kitchens and a new indoor seating space. You can try Argentinian BBQ at Banquet 1415, fried chicken at Dirty Chicken, loaded gyozas and fries at Big Mouth Gyoza, and home-cooked Sicilian food at Little Big Sicily. We checked it out, and you can watch our visit on our Instagram reel @thenottsedit. bustlermarket.co.uk / @bustler_nottingham
⚽ Having a ball: They’ve conquered dragons and zombies — and now they’re set to conquer football, too. Nottingham’s own Bella Ramsey will be playing in Soccer Aid’s England squad this weekend. The event is all about raising money for UNICEF, which helps children get the best start in life. The match takes place at Old Trafford on Sunday at 5.30pm — there are still tickets available if you fancy travelling, or you can watch it live on ITV1. @socceraid / socceraid.com
🎶 Music to our ears: Nottingham bands Alt Blk Era and Divorce have been announced for the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury this year. Sister act Alt Blk Era Rock blend together rap, drum and bass, EDM and operatic sounds, won the 2025 MOBO Award for Best Alternative Act in February, and will be playing at 7.30pm on the Friday. Divorce are known for their alternative country sound, were profiled by Rolling Stone in January, and will be playing at 7.30pm on the Sunday. glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
🪡 Laced up: Nottingham is known for its incredible lacemaking history — but this is sadly now at risk. Bobbin lacemaking is a hand crafting technique which developed into a cottage industry in the city, but this was replaced by machines during the Industrial Revolution. If you’d like to be part of keeping it alive, there are monthly demonstrations at the Nottingham Industrial Museum and the Brewhouse Yard. bbc.co.uk / nottinghamindustrialmuseum.org.uk
Scores on the Doors 🏆
🏏 Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire sit 6th in the North Group of the Vitality Blast after four games, with two wins and two defeats in the competition. Their seven wicket win against Derbyshire came after a nearly hour long delay following a power cut, with Tom Moores and Freddie McCann guiding the team to their revised total. The Blaze have continued their One Day Cup form into the Women's Vitality Blast, sitting second in the table after four games.
🏹 Notts Outlaws
06/06: Nottinghamshire 120-3 (DLS) beat Derbyshire 162-9 by 7 wickets (Nottinghamshire target adjusted due to floodlight failure).
07/06: Worcestershire 206-5 beat Nottinghamshire 181-7 by 25 runs.
🔥 The Blaze
06/06: The Blaze 106-3 beat Essex 104 all out by 7 wickets.
07/07: No result between The Blaze and Somerset due to rain.
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