The best of The Notts Edit in 2025 — 5 features from the rebel county

Five fascinating long-reads, hand-picked by the editor

When I first started The Notts Edit, I just had a vision for a website with lots of beautiful reads, thoughtfully put together in an accessible way.

The Notts Edit has evolved into much more than that now. We have the Notts Going On newsletter, which was the first Nottingham email newsletter of its kind. Others have followed, but Sam and I put it together ourselves every week, just using our knowledge and searching around for the best and most relevant info. This will be back next week, FYI.

We are also a bit of a thing on social media, too. The Notts Edit Instagram (@thenottsedit) is very nearly on 7,000 followers, and we’re on TikTok too. I’ve learned how to shoot video and do all of that, as it is a really great way of reaching new audiences. I even sprained my foot running to get this viral Prince Harry video! It has been an enjoyable new thing to embrace, but the journalism for me comes first.

Features are definitely one of my favourite things that The Edit does, and I think it’s the thing that really sets us apart. They are in-depth, they are thought-out, and they are current. The Wild Clothing feature I wrote before Christmas was very reactive, and something I couldn’t have done for print, but the words and pics are print quality (well, I would say!).

That being said, I wouldn’t rule out doing The Notts Edit as a magazine, even as a twice-yearly thing. Half my journalism career has been in print, and there is a real beauty to it.

This is actually something I pitched for the prize money when I was shortlisted for the Women in Journalism Georgina Henry Award. I’ve never been shortlisted for an award as a working journalist, so this was really special for me – especially with it being for The Notts Edit. I also got to go to London for this, as the awards were enveloped into the Society of Editors Media Freedom Awards. Even though I didn’t win, I was beyond thrilled to have been up there.

Anyway, enough of me rambling! Here are five features from The Notts Edit that have been my favourites this year. They all have different voices and showcase different yet interesting things about the area.

If you’re reading this, have enjoyed these articles, and aren’t subscribed to The Notts Edit, you can sign up for free to receive our articles in your inbox.

Enjoyed a particular article (either from this list or another from this year)? If you would like to buy the author a coffee, treat them on Ko-fi, write a note and I’ll make sure they get this (yes, this could include me, haha!).

Thank you all for a fab 2025. And now… grab your hot chocolate, curl up under a blanket, and enjoy.

Eve Smallman, editor of The Notts Edit

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5 of the best The Notts Edit features in 2025

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I have known about Herbert Kilpin for ages, as I worked at LeftLion Magazine five years ago which made this documentary about him. However, the story had moved on even further since then, which Sam delves into brilliantly in his long-read about the founding father of Italian football. We also visited Kilpin’s tomb in the Cimitero Monumentale in Milan, and I found it very poignant having seen his birthplace on Mansfield Road and then seeing the grand cemetery for the greats where he rests. Oh, and we also visited the Nottingham Forest bar while we were in the city, which was very cool.

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Pici has to be one of the biggest restaurant openings in the city this year. It opened in the glorious summer, and it is the brainchild of Slice ‘n’ Brew’s Ryon Ishfaq. We chatted about his inspirations for the restaurant and how Nottingham has become a real foodie destination. I didn’t include this in the piece, but Ryon told me he visited Padella in Borough Market while ideating for Pici, and I went there while I was in London for the Women in Journalism awards. It was amazing, but Pici is just as excellent – and I think it might be a contender for the best restaurants guide (which needs a new addition as No. Twelve has sadly closed!).

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I was having a very full-on month when I wrote this, but looking back, I am actually so pleased with it. We have a range of brilliant theatre venues around Nottingham, and this piece delves into the history and fascinating facts about the truly iconic Theatre Royal. I didn’t know before writing this that the first ever show of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap was performed here! A bar recently opened up opposite the theatre nodding to this, which is called The Mousetrap Social (@the_mousetrap_social_notts). The feature is also filled with gorgeous pictures from the theatre’s impressive archive.

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I’m always up for having people write for The Edit, and I really would love to open up commissions in 2026. When Dan pitched and wrote this piece, I was so thrilled to read such a fun voice and to hear his unique story. It sure inspired me to think about things I’d like to try around the area that go beyond simply visiting the Robin Hood statue or drinking at the Trip (although I did write a handy list last year with fun things to tick off!).

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I think the beauty of feature writing is that it goes into much more depth than a news story, which really gives the impact needed for a story like this. I wrote this feature which goes into the highlights and challenges of running Nottingham Basket Brigade, which is an impressive drive that gives gifts and food to hundreds of people in need. After writing the feature, I also went down to wrap baskets myself. I would love to do more features about charities in 2026, so please do get in touch if you have something you’d like to shout about.

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