Lace Market is a hip and fashionable part of central Nottingham that contains many of the city’s main attractions. Once the hub of the British Empire’s lace industry, the district is now filled with museums and restaurants, many of which occupy historic former warehouses and sales halls. Explore the eccentric bars and boutiques in this creative and innovative area.
Find out about the history of the area. The name Lace Market is a misnomer: no market ever existed on this spot. The term actually refers to the high concentration of old lace salesrooms and warehouses here.
Visit the Galleries of Justice Museum to see its entertaining displays on the city’s penal system over the centuries. Make your way through the former prison, court and dungeons and learn about high-profile criminals and grisly punishments. Based in the 14th-century Shire Hall, which also served as a police station, the museum offers several types of tours with both costumed actors and audio guides.
To experience the newer side of the Lace Market, visit the stylish Nottingham Contemporary. This modern art gallery hosts temporary exhibits of inventive contemporary art. Enjoy snacks and refreshments at the museum café’s elegant terrace, as you reflect on the artworks.
Attend a play or concert at the charming Lace Market Theatre. This amateur theatre stages traditional dramas, comedies and musical productions.
Among the most intriguing landmarks is St. Mary’s Church, one of the oldest religious structures in the city. Study the finely crafted panels on its bronze doors and inspect the medieval locking system on its 14th-century chantry door.
Gaze up at the majestic Adams & Page Building, one of the tallest structures in the area. This building played an important role in Nottingham’s 19th-century Industrial Revolution.
Lace Market is to the north of the Nottingham Canal in the centre of the city. Take the tram to its namesake stop by Lace Market Square and walk through the quaint streets of the area. Local buses connect the district with other parts of the city too.
