Situated on the River Trent in England's East Midlands, the historic county town of Nottingham is famously known as the home of legendary Robin Hood, who famously robbed from the rich to give to the poor. Robin Hood, real or not, it has done much to promote tourism in this ancient city, which boasts another, very real and unique attraction in the form of a system of sandstone caves beneath the city, used as dwellings by Anglo-Saxons and later as the medieval hang-out of thieves and vagabonds, and even later as bomb shelters during World War II.

Nottingham developed into an important commercial capital for the region during the Middle Ages and then went on to become one of England's major manufacturing cities, producing top-quality Victorian lace and hosiery. 

Today, Nottingham is saved from being just another heterogeneous English county capital by its legends and unique attractions, making it a city well worth including on the itinerary of any tour of England, or a stopover city.

Nottingham, like most of the UK, can have unpredictable weather forecast and as the whole country weather can change in a matter of minutes. Nottingham is a little drier than London, as its located 205 Km further north. Average temperatures range around 12-18°C at the mildest. However, Winters will be with an average of 8-10°C and Summer around 20-23°C.  

Lately, Summers can hit highs of 27-30°C and Winters can bring occasional snow and temperatures to about 0°C.

The best time to visit Nottingham is recommended between March to November. However the summer months June to August can be much more expensive to visit and weather can be hot and muggy.  The hottest months are May and June.

Getting to Nottingham is accesible by plane, train and coach. Most travellers will arrive by ground transportation.  However, if you arrive by plane, the nearest airport is East Midlands Airport (EMA), which will connect you to Nottingham via the Skylink bus service which leaves every 20 minutes. 
Arriving by train, there are frequent services from London King's Cross taking 2 hours or by bus from London Victoria Coach station with National Express taking 3.5 hours.

Once in the city, Nottingham, has an extensive transport system comprising busses and trams. Depending how far you stay from the city, it might be a good idea to take a weekly pass from the bus operator which passes near to your accommodation. There is a combined transport card called the the Robin Hood Pass which gives access to busses or any network and the trams within the paid zone. But this might be more expensive if you are only staying a few days or a week.

Check the following links with the bus operators and the tram for more information, routes and ticket prices. 

• Transport for Nottingham
• Trentbarton Busses
• Nottingham Tram

Although the Robin Hood legends give the city a certain romantic feel, the sandstone caves called the City of Caves is Nottingham's greatest tourist attraction. Just outside of the city, the Cresswell Crags offer natural cave systems of great archaeological significance due to the evidence of Ice Age inhabitants.

Above ground Nottingham is a pleasant and busy English town, equipped with an impressively large Market Square and thriving shopping streets around the site of its central Castle Rock, which is now topped with a Ducal Mansion (the original castle having been destroyed).

Nottingham is also renowned for its watering holes, and three of the local pubs claim to be England's oldest: The Bell, Old Salutation, and Ye OldeTrip to Jerusalem.

There is also a Robin Hood Festival held annually in summer in Nottingham which will delight fans of the legends, plus a park dedicated to him where all family members can join in and enjoy a fun day out. Below you can find more details on what to see and do in Nottingham:

• The city of Caves: A system of man-made caves carved into the sandstone beneath the city of Nottingham has been developed into a modern, award-winning attraction known as The City of Caves. Anglo-Saxons originally inhabited the caves, and their lifestyle is depicted in dramatic presentations for visitors who come to explore Nottingham's 'underworld'. Over the centuries, the caves have been put to various uses by the locals, and were saved by protestors when developers planned to build a modern shopping centre over the top of them. Now guided tours take visitors through the caves and through the ages, from the mystical 'Enchanted Well', through a working medieval tannery, to the Victorian slum of Drury Hill and a World War II bomb shelter. More info: Nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk/cityofcaves/
  

• Nottingham City: The city of Nottingham surprises many of its visiting tourists, being home to a thriving fashion industry, numerous entertainment venues and clubs, and also a sports scene which rivals the country's very best. The nightclubs in Nottingham are also exceptional and amongst the region's liveliest, while the vast shopping centre is a major draw card for those who simply love to shop. Nottingham is famed for its historic 19th-century lace making industry, which was directly responsible for the city's wealth and central layout. Come and enjoy walking around its many pedestrian streets, eat and drink out at the many open terrace restaurants and catch the latest movie or enjoy a pub evening!
  

• Nottingham Castle: Towering over the city centre of Nottingham is a magnificent 17th-century mansion, built on the site of the original medieval castle erected by William the Conqueror in 1067. The castle building now houses the city's finest art collection, and a small museum charting the history of the Sherwood Foresters Regiment. The art galleries include interactive displays and the artworks are presented in a vibrant, interesting way. The well-kept grounds of the castle are used for a full calendar of events, from historic pageants to an outdoor theatre season. More info at Nottinghamcastle.org.uk/
  

• Parks and Gardens: Many areas of green are dotted around the city of Nottingham, with the Sherwood Forest Country Park being one of the most famous places. Within the city centre and off Maid Marian Way, Nottingham Castle is surrounded by a pretty garden, with colourful bedding plant sculptures, shaded picnic tables and a fortress-style play area for young children.
  You are able to escape the hustle and bustle of Nottingham city centre in a number of nearby country parks, which include both Colwick and Rufford, while those in search of wildlife should be sure to visit the Attenborough Nature Reserve.
  

• Sherwood Forest: Accessed by the A614 highway, Sherwood Forest makes a great getaway close to Nottingham city. Rather reduced from the green splendour it evinced in the days of Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest is nevertheless as ecologically important and interesting as it is historically.  A big attraction is the mighty Major Oak, still flourishing in the forest after 800 years. Sherwood Forest is also the site of the popular Robin Hood Festival, held annually in summer.
  

Be sure to pack your shopping bags when you come to Nottingham, as the city currently ranks in the UK's top five shopping destinations.
Shopaholics will not be disappointed when they hit the shops in Nottingham, with the city centre boasting an extensive selection of independent stores, designer fashion boutiques, and many of the best-known high street chains.
All of this, combined with large and spacious pedestrianised areas, make the city the perfect spot for some serious retail therapy.

There are plenty of places to stay all over Nottingham, including high-rise modern hotel chains, family run bed and breakfasts, travel inns and motels, and also a number of popular guest houses. Hotel rates vary per season, being at their most expensive during Nottingham's busy summer months. Book in advance if you plan to stay in the Summer do get the best prices. Average prices range from £30-50 per night at Hotels but you are now able to stay at Airbnb places also which will be better for longer stays. 
You can stay outside of the city too, which will be much cheaper, but remember to fact in the price of the daily ticket which can be extra £4-5 per day. 

Many hotels in the city enjoy a central location, close to the shopping centres and main sights, such as Nottingham Castle. A number of budget accommodation options are available for those looking to stay here as cheaply as possible, such as hostels in the city centre, or if you like camping and driving a caravan, check out the Holme Pierrepont Camping and Caravan Site at the National Watersports Centre, on the south-eastern side of Nottingham.

Nottingham is ideal as a weekend city break or to stopover on your way to other places in England. Staying for 2-3 nights would be more than enough to take in all the attractions on offer and enjoy some relaxing by the many parks and gardens or take long walks.