Notts Going On — Ay-Up Market and a D.H. Lawrence mural
Markets and music, a five-bedroom home in Forest Fields, history and rum, and more...
Hello and welcome to Notts Going On – your weekly guide with events, property, news, and more.
How gorgeous has the weather been recently? Last week I really made the most of it, strolling to Nottingham Playhouse to see Punch, wandering around the Welbeck Estate to visit the Harley Foundation and DropWorks, and heading to Bonington Gallery to see John Dean’s exhibition (more on all those down below). Spring is definitely here! I hope you have all managed to get some sunshine too – and, if you haven’t, these ideas will help you get out and about:
✉️ 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.
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.
☕ 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.
Notts Going On
By Eve Smallman and Sam Swain
What’s On 🗓️
Ay-Up Market 🛍️
When: March 27-29
Where: Old Market Square, Nottingham
How much: Free entry
Over 90 Nottingham independent retailers and creatives will be setting up shop in Old Market Square for this three-day-long celebration. Shop clothing, homeware, jewellery, plants, and more, before diving into street food from the likes of The Bagel Project, Bombay Deli, and Yello Yard. Plus, there will be workshops and live performances curated by Cultural Vibration’s Rastarella.
Do if: You’d love to support local businesses and would like to find unique gifts and trinkets.
Spring Bennerley Viaduct Skywalk Guided Tour 🚶
When: March 28
Where: Bennerley Viaduct, Ilkeston
How much: £1.79pp, £5pp donation recommended
One of only two wrought iron viaducts in the UK, Bennerley Viaduct is truly a sight to behold – especially on a spring day. During this walk, you’ll find out about its history, hear about the community work to save it, and meander across the new deck and see views of Erewash Valley. It will last between an hour and a half to two hours, and sturdy shoes are recommended.
Do if: You love seeing beautiful, unique countryside views.
Wine Tasting with Charcuterie Pairing 🍷
When: March 28
Where: 76a W Gate, Mansfield
How much: £27.80pp
Spend your Sunday sipping on wines and snacks during this relaxed tasting event. Led by a WSET-qualified wine specialist, you’ll explore a curated selection of wines from Moldova, Georgia and the Balkans. Each wine will be paired with a charcuterie board featuring traditional Moldovan salamis, cheeses, olives, and covrigi (classic Moldovan bread snacks).
Do if: You’d like to end the week with a special treat that will give you plenty of summer drinks inspo.
Realm of Dragons Easter Trail 🥚
When: March 28-April 12
Where: Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe
How much: Handbooks £4.50 (including pencil)
Sherwood Forest might be known for Robin Hood – but for the next two weeks, it’s going to be all about dragons. Explore the realm on the Major Oak trail and complete the tasks and activities along the way, all while keeping your eyes peeled for hidden messages and scaly beasts. On your return to the Visitor Centre with your completed handbook, you can claim your reward – a dragon egg, perhaps?
Do if: You’d like to get yourself – and even the family - into the outdoors in a fun way (yes, the bribery at the end helps!).
More events:
Theatre 🎭
Photography 📸
Hot Property 🏡
This five-bedroom home in Forest Fields is a conveniently-located colourful dream. Highlights inside include the bright blue hallway, the eclectic kitchen with diamond flooring, and the retro bathroom with a beautiful basin. Outside you’ll find plenty of room for entertaining, with a sprawling patio with room for pots and beds, a lawn with trees, and a cosy courtyard that would be perfect for al fresco dining. The guide price is £600k and it’s marketed by William H. Brown. rightmove.co.uk
News 🗞
🎨 Work of art: A mural of D.H. Lawrence has been painted on a wall just metres from his first home and birthplace in Nottinghamshire. The artwork in Victoria Street, Eastwood, is a portrait of the author alongside a phoenix in a stained-glass window style. Artist Nathan Bainbridge – aka Kid30 – designed and painted the mural with help from Ben Packer, which sits just a few doors down from the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum. bbc.co.uk
🥃 Cheers to that: DropWorks Distillery, located at the Welbeck Estate, has launched its limited edition Distiller’s Drop #002. This follows the debut that disappeared in just 48 hours, and has already been awarded gold in the 2026 Spirits Business Rum & Cachaça Masters. Having visited the distillery on Thursday and trying it, we can confirm that it’s a beautiful rum, with notes of wild strawberries, black pepper, and creme brûlée. dropworks.co.uk
👏 A piece of history: A plaque to commemorate pioneering female doctor Margaret Glen Bott was unveiled at her former home in Nottingham on Saturday. She became the city’s first female surgeon at Nottingham Women’s Hospital, and also went on to become a magistrate and city councillor. The Nottingham Women’s History Group raised £945 to design, manufacture and install the plaque. bbc.co.uk
Scores on the Doors 🏆
🌳 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest had arguably their best week of the season, progressing to the Europa League Quarter Finals and taking a huge step toward Premier League safety. On Thursday, Forest overcame Midtjylland on penalties, winning 2-1 away to draw the tie, before a 3-0 shootout win that sees them face Porto in the next round. 3-0 was also the score as the Reds thumped fellow relegation candidates Tottenham away from home. Vitor Pereira’s side looked comfortable throughout and have built a small gap to the relegation places.
🦌 Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town put on a show against League One strugglers Northampton on Saturday, winning 4-1 at home thanks to a brace each for Will Evans and Lucas Akins. The Stags’ unbeaten league run stands at six games with the home win, as well as a midweek 1-1 draw away at Bradford. Nigel Clough’s side are seven points clear of the relegation places with two games in hand on the teams occupying the bottom four spots.
🐦 Notts County
Notts County’s dazzling display saw them come from behind at home against Cheltenham, winning 5-2 at Meadow Lane, with a goal of the season contender scored by Tom Iorpenda. Notts also beat Accrington 4-0 away in midweek to keep up the pressure on the League Two automatic promotion places.
🏒 Nottingham Panthers
The Nottingham Panthers lifted the Challenge Cup after a dramatic overtime victory against Coventry Blaze. Didrik Henbrant scored the winner as the Panthers lifted their third trophy in the last year at the Motorpoint Arena. The Panthers also beat Sheffield Steelers 4-2 away from home, before being defeated by the same scoreline by Sheffield at home.
🤳 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