Car parking

City centre parking

If you're heading to the city, there are 15,000 secure parking spaces and a further 1,500 on street. Major car parks are clearly signposted on the main approach roads. Onstreet parking in the city is free after 6pm.

Park & Ride

Nottingham's also got eight Park & Ride spots, providing fast and frequent services all year round. With over 4,000 spaces they offer easy, uncongested access to the city.

It’s free to park at any of the five NET park and ride sites when you use the tram.

And Nottingham Racecourse and Queen’s Drive Park & Ride both offer increased services for late night and Sunday shopping.

Getting around Nottingham: a guide to the city’s zones

As part of the new ParkSmart scheme, Nottingham city centre has been divided into five zones each represented by a unique colour and symbol. Here is a brief guide to the key attractions and places of interest you’ll find in each.

Royal zone

At the heart of this zone is the Royal Centre, comprising the splendid Theatre Royal which dates back to 1865, alongside the moremodern Royal Concert Hall. Nearby are The Cornerhouse and Trinity Square developments offering a variety of leisure venues including a multi-screen cinema, bars and restaurants. There is a wide range of shopping, wining and dining throughout the area, which also plays host to two of Nottingham’s major centres of learning, Nottingham Trent University and Nottingham High School.

Victoria zone

Shopping dominates this zone which was once home to the city’s Great Central and Great Northern railway lines. The Clock Tower of the former Victoria Railway Station was preserved and now marks one of the entrances to the modern day Victoria Centre. Next to the shopping centre is the original Victoria Hotel - now the Hilton Nottingham - which accompanied the former station.

Castle zone

Within the impressive walls that once surrounded the original medieval Nottingham Castle is a magnificent 17th century ducal mansion with wonderful views over the Castle zone and the entire city centre. The iconic statue of Robin Hood stands outside the castle walls just downhill from the Castle’s 13th century gatehouse. There is also much to see and do at the Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery
inside the Castle. Many other historic buildings and fine architecture can also be found in the area, particularly along Castle Gate and in Old Market Square, and there is a wide selection of food, drink and leisure venues nearby.

Lace Market zone

Now part of Nottingham’s proud heritage, the Lace Market was at the forefront of UK lace design and manufacturing throughout the 18th century when there were more than 130 lace factories in this area of the city. Today the magnificent lace and textile factories have been converted into specialist shops, restaurants, cafés and bars, offices, apartments and the city campus of New College Nottingham. The award winning Galleries of Justice Museum, Nottingham Contemporary art gallery and the National Ice Centre are also in this area.

Broadmarsh zone

The Broadmarsh zone is the gateway to the city centre for many visitors to Nottingham, with Nottingham Station and Broadmarsh Bus Station situated here. There are lots of places to shop in this zone, particularly in the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre, entered from Collin Street, Lister Gate and Middle Pavement.
As well as taking advantage of the excellent shopping, enjoy a stroll along the canal at Castle Wharf and relax at one of the many waterside bars and restaurants.