May 16, 2016, by Words on Words

Exploring Nottingham, post-exams

This blog post was written by English and Hispanic student, Sally Hirst.

With the end of the exam period barely on the horizon, it may seem pre-emptive to consider how to fill your free time between the final deadline and results day, but it’s a good form of motivation. In Nottingham there are plenty of attractions, unusual cafés, and a range of bars in which to pass all your new-found free time – it’s well worth exploring the city to see what’s on offer.

Wollaton Hall and the surrounding grounds just over the road from University Park Campus are excellent for a sunny afternoon, and if you have a penchant for taxidermy there is an extensive collection inside the house! Alternatively, if the British weather doesn’t hold, Nottingham Castle and the city’s network of caves are also interesting sites to visit.

If the usual student club nights aren’t appealing, Nottingham has a wealth of interesting bars that can provide an enjoyable alternative. Tilt, just off Market Square, has a very relaxed atmosphere and live blues music, all set in a cosy, intimate venue complete with a large menu of unusual cocktails as well as the classic favourites. Although acquiring a table here can sometimes be a challenge, it’s worth the wait. Filthy’s Nottingham and Pelican Club also provide a range of drinks and a great mix of live music (both cover bands and artists playing their original tracks) in larger venues.

For those who want to unwind in daylight hours, the city centre boasts a range of independent coffee and tea shops alongside the big chains. Chocolate Utopia is a quaint chocolate shop just off Maid Marian Way and with a free chocolate to accompany every hot drink it’s the perfect place to give in to sugar cravings. Lee Rosy’s is a little less indulgent on the chocolate front, but offers an enormous range of loose leaf teas to suit any taste alongside a delicious range of cakes. You can even buy packages of their tea to expand your own collection at home.

This is only a small sample of what’s on offer in Nottingham to fill your free time after exams and up until results day – Nottingham really is a city full of variety. So whatever your interests or tastes, there’s always somewhere to visit. Happy exploring!

Sally Hirst

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