Summer in the City!

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If you want to get that summertime feeling in Nottingham City but don't know where to go look no further. Believe it or not we have a beach (kind of..), plenty of festivals and even outdoor cinemas.

Go down to Old Market Square between 13th July - 3rd September and you'll find Nottingham Beach... complete with a sandy beach, palm trees, a large paddling pool, rides, food and a 'beach bar' - you may even spot people snorkelling in the fountain!

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Head to Victoria Embankment for Riverside Festival between 4th-6th August for a classic British travelling funfair experience, street theatre, global foods, live music until late, plenty of things for kids to do and an amazing fireworks display over the River Trent (10.30pm on Saturday 5th). We recommend getting a spot by the river to watch it. The annual Dragon Boat race takes place over this weekend too next to the festival, and the best bit is it's FREE ENTRY!

Or if something more relaxing is your thing, this year Wollaton Hall Park is being turned into an outdoor cinema on the lawn at the front of the house itself. Screenings include classics such as Moulin Rouge, Jurassic Park and Pretty Woman. They are also showing Batman: The Dark Knight Rises which was filmed at Wollaton Hall itself... aka Wayne Manor! For all information and tickets go to their website HERE. Take a blanket and a picnic. Splendour Festival also takes place at Wollaton Hall on 22nd July!

Parks and Recreation

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Nottingham is a wonderfully green city with plenty of areas for meeting with friends, going for a walk, or relaxing with an ice cream on a sunny day... entry to all parks is FREE! Here are some of our favourites:

The Arboretum

Notts city centre's oldest (and most beautiful!) public park space. A historic Grade II listed green flag award winning park with a historic collection of trees, an aviary and pond. The closest park to the city centre and just a few minutes walk away from Igloo Annexe + Pods, or catch the tram at Market Square 1 min from Igloo Hybrid! Throughout the year some great events are hosted here including Bands In The Park, Pagan Pride and the highly recommended Nottingham Green Festival.

Forest Recreation Ground

Most well known as the site of Goose Fair, Forest Recreation Ground has a long history! Once part of Sherwood Forest, it has been used as a site for sports and other recreation for the last 300 years. As well as Goose Fair it also hosts the annual Bonfire Night celebrations, Oktober Fest, fun run events, parades and circuses. You can grab a bite to eat or a slice of cake from Homemade Cafe at The Pavillion too! Read more about the park and it's history HERE. A short walk from Igloo Annexe and Pods or if staying at Hybrid catch the tram from Market Square and get off at 'The Forest'.

Wollaton Hall Park

Now most famous for being the home of Batman in the latest movies, Wollaton Hall Park is an impressive area with botanic gardens, formal gardens, cafe, a lake, forest, the house itself (which is both a historic house and Natural History museum!) and home to around 200 deers. Check out their website with all the info you'll need to visit. Just a short hop over the road from the University of Nottingham too... the NCT 36 bus goes to both (£3.70 day ticket or £2 single, family/group tickets also available).

Woodthorpe Grange Park

A little further out the city centre in the vibrant area of Sherwood sits Woodthorpe Grange Park. The park contains a tropical house, walled and formal gardens, a plant shop, cafe, and a 18 hole pitch & putt golf course. It was once the home of the old Nottingham railway line and elements of it can be spotted all around the park. All the flowers you see around Nottingham are also grown here by the council! Events at the park include a lovely annual Open Day/Grow Your Own weekend usually in May or September, with local producers, gardeners, craft stalls and food stalls focusing on gardening, bee keeping and environmental practises.

Highfields Park

Situated on the site of The University of Nottingham's University Park, Highfields is a beautiful space with a boating lake (amazing in summer!), Lakeside Arts and Theatre, Djanogly Gallery, two cafes, bowls, croquet, stepping stones over the lake, lots of beautiful trees and plants, super friendly (and very chubby) squirrels and other wildlife...beware of the geese! The NCT 34 bus goes directly into the park and if you're a student it's just a £1 for a single journey. The rest of Uni Park is lovely too, rated the most green university in THE WORLD(!) and one of the most attractive campuses in the country.

Bestwood Country Park

Once one of Britain's busiest coal mines, the area has been turned into 650 acres of wildlife loving space. You can explore the rich mining heritage at the old Winding Engine House (open on Saturday's 10am-12pm), visit the lakes, go on varying walks throughout the extensive forests and fields, see the remains of a Japanese garden, or have a bite to eat and a drink at Bestwood Lodge Hotel. Get there on the NCT 89 bus, there is a stop directly opposite Igloo Annexe + Pods reception building, or just a few minutes to Upper Parliament Street from Igloo Hybrid. More about Bestwood Park here.

Victoria Embankment

Not technically a park but a beautiful place for a stroll along the river on a sunny day! Memorial gardens and fountains, home to the annual Riverside Festival at the beginning of August, dragon boat racing championships and is also the new home of Nottingham Carnival. Really close to Trent Bridge Cricket Ground too.

Other Parks and Outdoor Spaces in the Area

Nottingham is home to many green spaces and country parks so if you've exhaused this list here are some more to check out: Attenborough Nature Reserve, Clumber Park, Gedling Country Park, Colwick Park, Arnot Hill Park, Rushcliffe Country Park and of course, Sherwood Forest!

Broadmarsh Bus Station - IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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Please be aware that Broadmarsh Car Park and Bus Station are closing the 10th of July for reconstruction...

National Express and MegaBus will be stopping at Station Street, whilst other bus stops have been moved around as well.

The city made a pretty clear map, YAY! We can send a PDF to you by email, do not hesitate to ask for it.

TO IGLOO HYBRID:
https://goo.gl/maps/XuUk4uPLj6w

TO ANNEXE & PODS:
https://goo.gl/maps/JPzavVnZ3kp

Any information needed, come and ask, we will be happy to help the best we can :)

The Igloo Team

In search of Robin Hood

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There are traces of Notts' most famous resident Robin Hood all over the city & surrounding areas! Here's some you can experience:

Robin Hood's Statue

Located near Nottingham Castle on Robin Hood's Lawn. The 2m high bronze statue was sculpted by James Woodford. It's estimated that it should last for 6,000 years! Around the statue are bronze images showing scenes from the Robin Hood legends. People come from all over the world to get their photo taken with it! Just a short walk (5mins max.) from Old Market Square and Igloo Hybrid.

Robin Hood Walk

Ezekial Bone is Robin Hood for the twenty-first century! This is the definitive way to learn all about the Robin Hood legend and to see the best Nottingham has to offer. Join the ‘Official Outlaw’ on an adventure around Nottingham as you follow a trail of historical facts to discover the truth. Learn how simple ballads over 700 years old grew into one of the greatest stories ever told! This fun exploration of the legend is told against the theatrical back drop of the City. As you visit places associated with Robin Hood, you will also see the town's key sites of interest and learn about its history and culture. The tour ends at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem where Robin Hood invites you to drink ales with him! Igloo guests get 1/3 off the price! Just ask at reception. For full details/times CLICK HERE.

Robin Hood Festival

This is the annual festival's 33rd year running! Located within Sherwood Forest between 31st July - 6th August 2017. The festival includes forest walks, craft stalls, falconry, reenactments and fun interactive history. Entry is FREE. Parking is £5 or you can get the Sherwood Arrow bus for £5.80 return ticket or £10 return ticket for 2 or more peope travelling from Victoria Centre Bus Station.

Robin Hood Legacy

A new attraction to Nottingham, based on Friar Lane. Travel back in time through a state of the art audio-visual experience in the shadow of Nottingham Castle. Hear tales of Robin Hood's daring heroism. Learn the holy craft of ale-brewing from Friar Tuck and stand trial before the infamous Sheriff of Nottingham and come face to face with the legend himself! Open 7 days a week, admission is £9.95 for adults but you can also find a £2 off admission voucher valid until 31st August on http://www.robinhoodlegacy.co.uk/

Sherwood Forest and Major Oak

Legend has it that Robin Hood, Maid Marion, and the Merry Men lived in Sherwood Forest and specifically the Major Oak back in the 1200s. It's one of England's most ancient woodlands! Once a royal hunting forest, it covers 450 acres and contains more than 1000 oak trees, most of which are over 500 years old. There is a visitor centre with exhibits and shops too. If you don't have a car The Sherwood Arrow bus will get you there, it runs regularly from the city. READ MORE about Sherwood Forest's fascinating history.

You can read more about the legends of Robin Hood HERE and check out more Robin Hood experiences HERE

Special Offer 5% OFF for nights 22th-25th of May, 2017!

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Coming to Nottingham these days & planning to enjoy one of these events?!

We offer 5% off per night of stay between Monday 22nd and Thursday 25th of May, 2017! Only when you book through our website http://www.igloohostel.co.uk and write in the Comment box "Special Offer 22th-25th of May 2017"

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An Igloo Update…

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2015 was a very busy year for us. Our brand new Igloo Hybrid opened last Summer and we are now in the middle of renovating our Annexe premises on Mansfield Road which will feature more SmallKid doodles on the walls.

A massive thank you to all our guests who used our online BookingButton to make their reservation with us for 2015. You helped us raise £516.50 to support our chosen 3 local charities for that year – ST Anns Allotments, Nottinghamshire Hospice and Skillshare International. We will be choosing our 3 charities to support in 2016 this month. Please help us support them by making your booking for Igloo Annexe & Pods on Mansfield Road or Igloo Hybrid in Market Square directly through us.

What's On In Nottingham - April 2015

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