Notts Going On — Helios and a new tram name
Sunny events, a five bedroom home in Bagthorpe, community heroes, and more...
Hello and welcome to Notts Going On – your weekly guide with events, property, news, and more.
A note from the editor
We went to Sat Bains’ pop-up at No. 8 Deli in West Bridgford on Sunday, which was absolutely exceptional. It was fantastic to see the two-Michelin star chef make his cooking highly accessible, and we loved the chorizo eggs, Sat-shuka, and cured trout.
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Notts Going On
By Eve Smallman
What’s On 🗓️
Pugin’s Summer Crafts: Lace and Flax Cordage ✂️
When: July 28
Where: Nottingham Cathedral
How much: Free entry
Join Nottingham Lace and Bobbin Society and Alex Vincent Turner for a day of craft inspired by AWN Pugin. As part of the Restoring Pugin project, experts are currently uncovering gorgeous, hidden wall designs originally painted by the cathedral’s architect. With this in mind, you will use real plants and flowers to design detailed patterns. At the end, you’ll have made a beginner’s piece of lace, as well as learnt how more complex pieces were made. This is the first in a series of workshops so if you can’t make this, more are on throughout the month.
Do if: You’d love to discover more about our city’s lace making past, all while giving it a go yourself.
Helios ☀️
When: July 29-August 15
Where: Southwell Minster
How much: £5pp, £3pp under 16s, free for under 5s
Measuring seven metres in diameter, this sunny artwork features detailed imagery of the sun’s surface, sunlight, and a specially created surround sound composition. It also features the source of the solar flares, which caused the northern lights to be visible from the UK. If you’d like to see it first, the preview night is on Thursday (£12pp, drink on arrival) We particularly like the sound of the sunrise pilates next month (August 6, 12, and 13, £10pp).
Do if: You love seeing beautiful pieces of art – even better with fascinating information and in a stunning minster.
Crime Club: Transportation to America 🔎
When: July 30
Where: National Justice Museum, Nottingham
How much: £16.50pp
America: the land of the free… unless you were an 18th-century convict. While Britain’s transportation of prisoners to Australia is widely remembered, far less is known about the thousands sent to Britain’s North American colonies before the War of Independence. Why were convicts transported across the Atlantic? And how did transportation to America differ from the later penal system established in Australia? Find out at our very own National Justice Museum – free drink included.
Do if: You love learning history facts from across the world.
D.H. Lawrence Festival 📚
When: August 1-September 13
Where: Various venues across Eastwood
How much: Free entry
Celebrating Eastwood’s famous author – known for books such as Lady Chatterley’s Lover – this festival takes place across the area and spans music, literature, heritage, visual arts, and community. It officially kicks off on Saturday at 3pm at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum with poetry readings from Annette Pateman, free refreshments, and the chance to pick up your free brochure. Be sure to check the full programme of events to plot out activities.
Do if: You’re looking for a family-friendly event that will add both fun and education to the summer holidays.
Fragrance Design Experience 💐
When: August 1
Where: Hilton Hotel, Nottingham
How much: From £49pp
Craft your own fragrance during this workshop, guided by a professional perfume stylist. You’ll learn how different scent notes combine to form a beautifully balanced perfume, until you come to a scent that reflects your personality. Once your creation is complete, your bespoke perfume will be bottled for you to take home. Plus, you can upgrade to larger versions of your bottle for additional costs.
Do if: You’ve always wanted to create your signature scent – this is the perfect opportunity to do so.
More events:
Music and Theatre 🎭
Operation Mincemeat at Theatre Royal, Nottingham: “God that’s brilliant” — theatre review
Operation Mincemeat is one of the UK’s most popular musicals, with it being Olivier-award winning, as well as the best reviewed show in the West End.
The last Splendour in Nottingham: “A fine farewell” — review and pictures
Splendour was the biggest festival in Nottinghamshire – and it had its last showing after 18 years on July 18-19 2026.
Hot Property 🏡
Is country living the dream for you? This five-bedroom detached home in Bagthorpe is the perfect combination of character and cosiness. Step inside and find a living room with wooden beams and wood-burning stove, the traditional kitchen with cream cabinetry, and four stylish bathrooms. We particularly love the bright principal bedroom, which comes complete with a balcony that looks onto the garden. The outdoor area has a huge lawn, cottage borders, and a lowered patio area for dining al fresco. The guide price is £750k and it’s marketed by eXp UK. rightmove.co.uk
Weddings 💍
Wedding venues in Nottinghamshire — 8 of the best places to tie the knot
For those who love our county and have found the love of their lives, finding a wedding venue in Nottinghamshire is a wonderful idea.
News 🗞
🎄 Light up: Remember the Nuthall Christmas Lights? Tony and Wendy Swift – known for transforming their home into the annual display – have been awarded Nottingham Express Transit’s Community Heroes, with a tram named after them. They have raised more than £300,000 for Nottingham-founded children’s charity, Wish Upon a Star, and Hayward House. The community hero accolade was awarded to Tony and Wendy after Nottingham residents were asked to nominate the person or charity they felt had made a positive and long-lasting difference to the city, with the nominees then shortlisted and put to a panel of judges. @thenottsedit
💚 Being green: A blueprint for a green, healthy city created by the people of Nottingham was unveiled on Thursday. Nottingham has one of the most ambitious climate targets in the UK, with it aiming to become carbon neutral by 2028. The Nottingham Environment & Climate Assembly manifesto sets out a vision of a forest city with clean air and waterways, with community-led initiatives and more safe ways to get around the city by foot, bike, and public transport. The full manifesto is on the site. nottinghamclimateassembly.co.uk
🎬 On screen: Have you watched The Odyssey yet? The Christopher Nolan film, which is an adaptation of Homer’s epic Greek poem, stars the likes of Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Matt Damon – but it also has our own Samantha Morton in it. The Nottingham-born actor – who trained at The Television Workshop – plays Circe, and her performance even gained her a standing ovation on set. gq-magazine.co.uk
🍵 And breathe: If you checked out our Her Days in Kirkby-in-Ashfield review, you might be pleased to find out that the acai bowl and matcha cafe has confirmed that its newest location, with Flo Pilates on Derby Road, is opening this Sunday. The first 20 through the door will receive a complimentary Her Days + Flo goody bag, and there will also be discounts and free demos. @we.are.flo_
🚕 Let’s go to the city: Nottingham had a city break write-up in The Times over the weekend, with writer Ben Aitken saying its line-up is ‘impressive.’ He stayed over at The Lace Market Hotel, had drinks at the likes of Pogo, Bustler, and Yolk, and dined at Raymond’s during its Friday set menu. It’s a really lovely showcase of our history, culture, and food and drink offering. thetimes.com
Scores on the Doors 🏆
🏏 The Hundred
The Trent Rockets men’s team won by four wickets against London Spirit in the men’s Hundred on Sunday, in what was a truly thrilling game. The home side’s chase of 160 in Nottingham went down to the wire, with 10 needed off five balls. The Rockets’ chase was set up by Ben Duckett’s 75 from 47 balls. Meanwhile, the women’s team lost, with London Spirit holding a five-wicket win over Trent Rockets with three balls to spare.
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