48 hours in Nottingham

Nottingham may be well known for Robin Hood, but there is plenty more to this excitingly vibrant city than Sherwood Forest and men in tights. The dynamic location is fast becoming a must-visit destination, with the student population bringing about a wave of rejuvenation in recent years.

Not only is Nottingham full to the brim with stunning and interesting historic sights, it also has plenty on offer when it comes to food, culture and nightlife. This means that no matter what the reason for your visit, you're sure to find plenty to keep you thoroughly entertained.

With so much to do, you'll be hard-pressed to fit everything into a 48-hour period, but if you're spending the weekend at one of our stunning serviced apartments, you'll be best-placed to give it a try. To ensure you see as much of what Nottingham has on offer, here's how best to spend two days in the city:

Day 1 - Unusual history and interesting eateries

Nottingham is home to more than 300 eateries, which means that you owe it to yourself to start your day off with a good breakfast and see what food is on offer. One of the most interesting of these is the Curious Manor Food and Drink Emporium.

This bizarre restaurant is designed like a manor house and has you enter downstairs in the scullery. You can then eat in one of the curiously decorated areas of the restaurant, making it a fun and unusual way to start your day. Give the full monty of veggie breakfasts a go or mix things up with some hangover hash or a portion of eggs Benedict Cumberbatch.

@curiousmanor

Once you've fueled up, walk the ten minutes via Bridlesmith Gate to the City of Caves. You wouldn't think that Nottingham is home to an intricate cave network beneath your feet, but the City of Caves takes you through the sandstone structures and fills you in on the history as you go.

After spending the morning underground, get some air with a brief walk to Malt Cross for a delicious lunch. The cafe bar on St James's Street was once a Victorian music hall and effort has been made to maintain its original charm. It also serves up some fantastic food, including a broad variety of burgers, unusual timber fries and all the British classics.

@maltcross

Spend your afternoon at the City of Caves’ sister attraction, the National Justice Museum. You can purchase a discounted ticket that allows you access to both places, so it really is worth visiting them on the same day. Known as one of the most haunted buildings in the UK, you can take a ghost tour at the museum or simply work your way through the exhibitions to learn about justice throughout history. With interactive exhibitions and activities, the museum is fun as well as interesting.

If the haunted National Justice Museum leaves you needing to steady your nerves, walk under a mile to the beautiful Hand and Heart. Dating back to 1866, the pub was once a former brewery and is built directly into the sandstone caves, offering beautiful and atmospheric surroundings for your evening meal. With a carefully chosen selection of ciders, ales and wines, as well as homemade quality food, this is the perfect place to relax after a day in Nottingham.

You can while away the evening in Hand and Heart or make your way to a more unusual location for a few drinks before heading back to your serviced apartment. Located on Carlton street, Boilermaker may look like a disused boiler shop, but the secret entry through a store cupboard will take you to the hidden bar. Serving up cocktails unlike any you'll have tried before, Boilermaker runs on a first come first served basis, so make sure you arrive early.

@hand_and_heart_nottingham

Day 2

Recover from last night's cocktails with a morning visit to Warsaw Diner, which is the best way to set you up for the day. Breakfast is a mix of Polish and American-style foods, offering you the chance to build your own breakfast or choose one of the mouth-watering set options. Whichever you choose, you'll soon be ready for the day.

Spend the morning wandering around the impressive and iconic Nottingham Castle. Located just 15 minutes away from the diner via the Ropewalk, the 17th-century castle is the perfect place for photo opportunities. It is also home to an impressive art gallery and often has events on, so it's worth checking to see what's happening during your stay in the city.

When it comes to lunch, you don't need to walk far to find a great eatery as the Castle Cafe is on the grounds and is the perfect place to grab a light bite before getting on with your day. Alternatively, you can make your way to Fothergills for delicious, locally-sourced bistro meals and stunning views of the castle.

For a different type of history, walk past the Robin Hood statue and down Canal Street to Hopkinson Vintage, Antiques and Arts Centre. Spread over four floors, Hopkinson gives you the chance to have a good rummage for interesting memorabilia and vintage items. There's so much to see that you can literally spend hours here, making it the perfect place to spend your afternoon. If you want a few more shops to explore, you can also walk to the Shopping Arcade in just 15 minutes.

End your second day in Nottingham at the oldest inn in England. Dating back to 1189, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem serves fabulous drinks and delicious pub grub that will leave you feeling sated. From sharing boards to classics and pub favourites like the jerk beef short rib, you'll be spoilt for choice with the hearty menu on offer.

If good food isn't enough, the pub also offers tours of its haunted cellar and features some unusual curiosities, like a cursed galleon and pregnancy chair.