Time travel through Nottingham’s most famous historical venues
You’ve probably seen at least one episode of Peaky Blinders or Downton Abbey. If you have, and you quite like the style, you’ll be interested to hear that some of the most famous venues from that time still exist in Nottingham. Some are even older, some are a bit newer, which makes Nottingham a perfect place for time travelling experience.
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
If you spent at least a day in Nottingham, you will probably have heard of this gem. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is one of several pubs claiming to be the oldest in England — others that claim to be the oldest include Ye Olde Salutation Inn and The Bell Inn, also in Nottingham, and Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, north of London. Dating all the way back to 1189 (even though there’s no evidence to support that), Ye Olde Trip has seen and heard almost 9 centuries worth of stories. Make sure it hears your story too by visiting one of the most famous Nottingham’s pubs.
Goose fair
What started as a livestock and trade event in approximately 1282, with a reputation for its excellent cheese, is now an annual travelling funfair held at the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham, during the first week of October. The name “Goose Fair” is derived from the thousands of geese that were driven from the Lincolnshire fens in the East of England to be sold in Nottingham at the fair each year. Goose Fair was cancelled in 1646 after an outbreak of the bubonic plague, and again during the two World Wars of the 20th century. The fair was not held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but hopefully 2021 is going to be the year that brings back Goose fair.
Palais de Danse / PRYZM
Now we go back to the 1920s. Prohibition in the US didn’t stop the British from having a good time, which Palais de Danse can testify. Originally named the Palais de Danse when it opened as a dance hall in 1925, it later became the popular nightclub Ritzy in the late 1980s. Then the Palais again, then Oceana, and currently Pryzm. The outside is distinguished by the large ornate globe above the entrance, and make sure you visit Pryzm once it’s open again, located in the city centre.
Savoy cinema
The only surviving pre-Second World War cinema in Nottingham, Savoy cinema can still be found on Derby road, Lenton. It was opened on 7th November 1935 by Lenton Picture House Ltd, a consortium of local businessmen. It had seating for 1,242. The first film played at Savoy was Flirtation Walk. Book a ticket and enjoy the pre-Christmas time the classic way — with popcorn in your hand watching Elf.
