Best places to live in Nottingham

The home of Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood and the City of Caves. There’s no denying that Nottingham is a beautiful place to live, but where should you choose to set up shop? From the outskirts to the main city centre, we present our opinion on the best places to live in Nottingham. 

Living in Nottingham

Known for its historical structures and thriving nightlife, living in Nottingham offers an enriching mixture of city and country life. Most famous for the story of Robin Hood, the nearby Sherwood Forest is great for weekend holidays and Sunday walks, while the city itself offers plenty of activities and amenities to its residents. If you enjoy dining at restaurants or taking the kids to the park, Nottingham is bound to keep you and the family busy. 

Things to do in Nottingham

Whether you’re into caving, museums, markets or water sports, Nottingham city is guaranteed to have something for you. Take a tour down the City of Caves, a network of over 800 caverns sprawling under the city or go on a day trip to Green’s Windmill and Science Centre. Book a raft trip at the National Water Sports Centre, or wander through Nottingham city’s historical lace market and window shop with your friends. Known for its homemade Stichelton and Shropshire Blue cheeses, Nottingham offers a pleasant mixture of artisan produce and elegant dining experiences, offering everything from Indian cuisine to cocktails.

Living in Arnold, Nottingham

The famous Sherwood Forest is a 10,000-year-old woodland sprawled across the landscape of Nottinghamshire. When setting up in the outskirts of Nottingham, your new home can be as little as one mile away from the edge of the forest, making it perfect for day trips! The woodland is great for dog walks and family hikes, as well as weekend holidays and deer spotting. Wildlife is rampant in the area, and living in Arnold is the perfect way to get closer to nature all while staying close to the local schools!

Things to do in Arnold

With the forest on your doorstep, Arnold is the perfect location for enjoying the great outdoors. Hike along the Major Oak trail, the Greenwood trail or the Wildwood trail to take in the sights or spend a few hours swinging across the treetops at Go Ape Sherwood Pines. You can also take a trip to see the steam engines operating on the Sherwood Forest Railway or walk around the grounds of Rufford Abbey

Living in Ruddington

Nestled next to the Rushcliffe Country Park, the village of Ruddington is great for homemakers who want a quiet life close to the amenities of the city. Just 5 miles south of Nottingham, Ruddington is known for its history of industry, the invention of the stocking frame, and its local museums. 

Things to do in Ruddington

From a local golf club (Ruddington Grange), to kids’ play parks and museums, there are plenty of activities to keep you and the family occupied in Ruddington. A semi-rural lifestyle makes it easy to hike and enjoy outdoor activities on the weekend, while Ruddington’s museums and proximity to Nottingham leaves plenty to do on rainy days, with The Framework Knitters Museum, Ruddington Village Museum and the heritage Great Central Railway all lie on your doorstep.

Living in Beeston

Close to the University of Nottingham, Beeston is a quiet spot for communities that like to live next to campus. Families of students or adults taking part-time studies can benefit from a home in Beeston. The railway cuts straight through the town, making it a great jumping-off point for any travel throughout Nottinghamshire, and if you want to work in the city, Nottingham is right next door. 

Things to do in Beeston

Beeston is home to its own movie theatre, Arc Cinema, putting on film nights a short walk away from your front door. You can also take the kids to the Hocus Pocus indoor playground to help them run off any extra energy or go on a family walk through the Attenborough Nature Reserve to spot wildlife. If you’d like to find out more about the town, guided tours about Beeston and its surrounding area are run by the Beeston and District Civic Society

Living in Radcliffe-on-Trent

Radcliffe-on-Trent is rated as one of the safest small towns in Nottinghamshire and is a great place to settle down and enjoy the countryside. Its proximity to the city ensures that you’re never far from much-needed amenities, restaurants and schools. Located next to the river, there are plenty of areas nearby to enjoy with your partner, the kids or on your own. With a pleasant mix of country and city life, Radcliffe-on-Trent is bound to give you the best of both worlds. 

Things to do in Radcliffe-on-Trent

From Radcliffe-on-Trent Golf Club to trips down the river with Princess River Cruises, there’s no shortage of things to do in Radcliffe-on-Trent. Despite being a small town, the area hosts pubs and nightclubs as well as several restaurants and cafes. There are many walking routes in the area, including canal side paths and country parks. 

If we’ve now convinced you and you’re looking at moving to one of the nice areas in and around Nottingham, you can check out our local developments here