Natalie Lamb and the travel post: Nottingham

Nottingham is one of those cities that has a bit of everything. There's history around every corner (and quite a lot underneath it), a brilliant food scene and some of the most unusual pubs I've ever been to. Here's everything I'd recommend seeing and doing, plus where to eat and where to go if you love a metal bar.

Things to Do

City of Caves

Nottingham is built on soft sandstone and there are more than 800 caves carved out beneath the city, used over the centuries for everything from a medieval tannery to air raid shelters during the Second World War. The City of Caves tour was a really interesting insight into the history of Nottingham as well as a chance to actually get down there and explore some of them.

Wollaton Hall

Wollaton Hall was built in the 1580s for Sir Francis Willoughby and much more recently starred as Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises. If you're a Batman fan, it's worth a visit for that alone. The grounds are very pretty and deer roam freely, which is really nice to see. There's often a coffee shop open and there are a couple of different museums on site, but you do have to pay for them.

Green's Windmill and Science Centre

The windmill was built in 1807 by the father of George Green, a miller who taught himself mathematics and went on to become one of the most important mathematicians of his time. It was so cool to see and I was surprised by how central it is. The city around it hides it completely, so you don't see the full windmill until you're right in front of it.

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

Claimed to be the oldest pub in England, this is the place to go for a pint in a cave. The pub proudly claims the date 1189, the time of the Third Crusade, although there's no documentary evidence to back it up. The oldest timber frames date to the 1670s, but the caves carved into the castle rock behind it are likely to go back to when the castle was founded.

Southwell Workhouse and Infirmary

This one is outside the city centre, but it was a really good place to visit. Built in 1824, it's one of the best preserved workhouses in the country and is now looked after by the National Trust. I'd never visited a workhouse before and it was very sobering, but a really cool glimpse into the past in the area.

Canal House

A pub with an actual canal and canal boat inside it. You have to see it to believe it. It sits on the Nottingham Canal, which opened in the 1790s and was once a busy route for carrying goods in and out of the city.

Handmade Nottingham

Lovely for gifts made by local artists. Everything is made by makers from the area, so it's a great place to pick up something you won't find anywhere else.

Pitcher and Piano

Cocktails in a beautiful building that used to be a church. It was originally the High Pavement Chapel, a Unitarian church whose congregation dates back to 1690. The Gothic Revival building you see today opened in 1876 and was converted into a bar in 1998, so it's worth popping in even if you're only there to look around.

Hockley

Nottingham's creative quarter is well worth a wander, with lots of independent shops, cafes and bars packed into its streets. Some examples to check out include Ice Nine, Void Clothing and Sneinton Market.

Park Tunnel

This Grade II listed tunnel was built between 1844 and 1855 to connect Derby Road to the Park Estate. It was designed for horse drawn carriages, but the final slope turned out to be too steep for horses to climb safely, so it has only ever been used by people on foot.

Nottingham Castle

The original castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068, but it was demolished after the English Civil War and replaced with a ducal mansion. That explains why it's less of a castle and more of a manor house today. If you're expecting turrets and battlements you might be a little disappointed, but there's plenty of reference to Robin Hood to make up for it.

Cosy Club

Yes, it's a chain, but the building is pretty impressive and worth seeing in its own right. It was built in 1869 to 1870 for the Imperial Life and Fire Insurance Company and in 1913 became the Reform Club, a social hub for Nottingham's wealthy middle class whose members included Boots founder Sir Jesse Boot. From the 1960s until 2005 it was the Victoria Club casino, then it sat empty for nearly 15 years until Cosy Club restored it.

The Exchange

The Exchange is a historic shopping arcade behind Nottingham Council House, famous for its magnificent 200 foot high glass dome with pictures of Robin Hood. Opened in 1929, this beautiful landmark houses a collection of different fancy shops.

National Justice Museum

The museum is housed in the old Shire Hall and County Gaol, where people were tried, locked up and even publicly executed on the front steps. It's quite an interesting way to delve into the history of Nottingham. Just be aware that there are actors in different areas, so you might find yourself pulled into the action.

The Arboretum

Opened in 1852, the Arboretum is Nottingham's oldest public park and a lovely bit of green in the city centre. Perfect for a picnic.

Hopkinsons

Hopkinson Vintage, Antiques and Art Centre is right by the train station, so it's an easy first or last stop. It's a huge emporium spread over four storeys and filled with vintage clothing, independent makers and curiosities, plus an antique basement laid out like a street and a cafe bar. Perfect for a good rummage.

Markets

There's a market on Saturdays and you'll also find markets popping up in pubs, in Hockley and at the town hall.

Ice Hockey

The Nottingham Panthers were founded in 1946 and are one of the oldest ice hockey teams in the UK. The season only runs from around September to April, so check the fixtures before you go.

Goose Fair

Goose Fair has been held in Nottingham for more than 700 years and is one of the biggest events in the city's calendar. It only runs for a few days each October, so plan your trip around it if you want to go.

Things to Eat

• Bread, pastry and cakes with a coffee - Tough Mary's Bakehouse.
• Doughnuts - Doughnotts.
• Deli foods, cheese and nibbles - The Cheese Shop.
• A bottomless cheeseboard every Monday - The Good Fellow George. 
• Tasty tapas - Bar Iberico.
• Ramen and small plates - Everyday People.
• Japanese food - Kuisha Ya.
• Asian food and cocktails - Coco Tang. I visited for a New Year's Eve masquerade party, which was very suave.
• Street food vans that change weekly - Bustlers.
• Great value set menus - Le Mistral in Sherwood. Their Menu à Prix Fixe is two courses for £19.95, Monday to Saturday until 4pm. 
• Delicious burgers from Hereford - Beefy Boys.
• Snacks with cats - Kitty Café

Metal Bars

• Goth metal bar - Pit & Pendulum. Named after the Edgar Allan Poe story, it's full of dark gothic decor and even has a secret bookcase door to find.
• Metal dive bar - Tap & Tumbler. A relaxed spot for a drink with rock and metal playing.
• Old metal bar - The Salutation Inn. An alehouse called The Archangel Gabriel Salutes the Virgin Mary was built on this site around 1240, while the timber structure standing today dates to around 1360, when it was a tanner's workshop.
• Punk bar - Foremans Bar. Nottingham's smallest live music venue, this is a proper old school punk, rock and metal dive bar.
• Club nights or gigs - Rock City, Rescue Rooms, Billy Bootleggers and Motorpoint Arena Nottingham.
• BONUS : A retro arcade game and cocktail bar - NQ64

Natalie Lamb and the travel post: Dublin, Ireland

I've been to Dublin a fair few times now, both for work and for leisure. This blog post is a run down of some of the things I've done and how I thought they were.

Things To Do

1. Kilmainham Gaol

Well worth it. Yes, it's on every poster in Dublin, but there's a reason for that. You do need to book far in advance, but wandering round hearing the stories of everything that happened there gave me a real taste of Irish history. I strongly recommend it!

2. Guinness Storehouse

A really enjoyable visit, even though I came away realising I don't actually like Guinness! What I liked most was how family friendly they've made it, bringing in bits about the marketing and the history rather than just focusing on getting you to drink. Genuinely a great visit.

3. Temple Bar

An absolute must see if you haven't been before, especially at Christmas when it looks beautiful. Just be warned the cost of a Guinness inside is enough to give you a heart attack!

4. Teeling Whiskey Tour

A last minute decision, and I enjoyed it even more than Jameson's. There's less to taste, just one whiskey and one cocktail, but I preferred the whole experience.

5. Ha'penny Bridge

A walk across the River Liffey, which flows directly through the centre of Dublin, over Ha'penny Bridge is a must do. The bridge itself is a historic 1816 cast iron landmark that serves as an iconic symbol of Dublin's heritage. While the image below isn't Ha'penny, they all offer beautiful views!

6. Jameson Distillery

Very prettily decorated for Christmas, with a tour and tasting that were nice, if a little corporate for my liking.

7. George's Street Arcade

Worth a quick visit. It's a Victorian, red brick indoor market and a nice spot for a browse.

8. Smithfield Square Christmas Market

Not my favourite Christmas market I've been to, if I'm honest. It's a lot smaller than the Christmas markets I get back home.

Food and Drink

1. Butlers Chocolate Café

At Dublin airport, this is a must do whenever I'm flying out. Each hot chocolate comes with a little truffle and I can't recommend it enough. It's the type of hot chocolate with actually chunks of chocolate in YUM!

2. The Mongolian Barbeque

A big hit thanks to my partner. You choose a bowl of your favourite meats, sauces and veg and it all gets cooked in front of you on a giant stove, all you can eat. I don't have anything like it at home and it's definitely worth it, just make sure you arrive hungry!

3. Temple Bar

The cost of a Guinness here is enough to give you a heart attack, but it's still worth it for the atmosphere, especially if there's music playing (but only if you can cope with how busy it is!)

4. Be Sweet Café

The most whimsical, magical café I've ever been to. It's expensive but worth it just to eat the cute little chocolate mushrooms.

5. Lidl (!)

I was desperate for some Irish soda bread but hadn't come across any yet. I was saved by Lidl in Dublin City Centre!

6. Swift

Good for a pit stop if you want a Guinness and a toastie for a tenner. I wouldn't go out of my way for it as an international tourist, but if I'm cold and snacky it's well worth a quick trip.

7. Cookieboy

Does tasty cookies, though I found them quite expensive even by Dublin standards!

8. Hawksmoor Dublin

I visited with work colleagues, but I found it expensive and a bit posh. Not really my cup of tea, being honest.

Where I've Stayed

1. Zanzibar Locke - A great location and absolutely beautiful self contained flats. I got the feeling it would be out of my budget if I wasn't travelling for work though!
2. Generator Dublin Hostel - A great location, but more expensive than a normal hostel elsewhere in the world.
3. Premier Inn Dublin City Centre (The Liberties) - Very close to the distillery, but quite a walk from town.
4. Astra Hostel - A capsule hotel, which I really struggled to get entry into.

Still On My List

• The Sea Sauna - Handcrafted wood fired saunas beside Tower Bay Beach in Portrane, North Dublin, with panoramic Irish Sea views. I saw them on the tv show Bad Sisters and had to see if they were real!
• Butlers Chocolate Factory Tour - So I can go beyond just visiting them in the airport!

Natalie Lamb and the travel post: South East Ireland

I have friends who live on a farm in Paulstown, County Kilkenny, whom I visit fairly regularly. To get there, I fly from East Midlands Airport into Dublin, take the Dublin Express into the city, then the train from Heuston Station to Bagenalstown (about 1h15) before getting a lift for the last ten minutes to the farm. I normally stay with my friends on the farm, though I did stay at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, near Carlow, when I came over for their wedding. Here are my favourite places I've visited so far and how far from Paulstown by car they are.

1. Eat an Irish spice bag at Ho Ting Asian Cuisine, Carlow Town (20 minutes)

I got a takeaway spice bag here and it was the most delicious one I've had. For anyone who hasn't had one, a spice bag is a popular Irish takeaway dish of crispy chips, shredded chicken, peppers and onions tossed in a salty, fiery Chinese five spice seasoning, traditionally served in a paper bag or box with a side tub of hot curry sauce.

2. Have a Guinness in a traditional, cosy pub at O'Shea's Pub, Borris (15 minutes)

Probably my favourite pub I've visited in Ireland. It's proper cosy, with an open fire in the front bar and a log burner in the back room. It's a traditional pub that has kept its part pub, part grocery shop feel, with grocery hardware still hanging from the ceiling.

3. See beautiful Kilkenny (25 minutes)

The castle and tiny alleyways are beautiful to wander round, especially in the glow of the fairylights along the street. While there, I visited Kyoto Kilkenny does tasty Asian food. 

4. See beautiful views at Nine Stones, Mount Leinster (30 minutes)

I parked at the car park on Mount Leinster and it was just a six minute walk uphill to Nine Stones for genuinely beautiful views of the surrounding rolling hills. The perfect place to watch the sun set.

5. Taste a paddle at the Smithwick's Experience, Kilkenny (25 minutes)

A great way to try this Irish red ale style beer. The staff were also really lovely.

6. See beautiful views along the Borris Viaduct (15 minutes)

A very short walk up to and then along the disused railway walk, all across the viaduct. Even without the short walk, just admiring the viaduct from a distance is cool.

7. See Carlow Castle (20 minutes)

I was surprised to see a fully fledged castle so close to town. It's free to enter and much more impressive than I expected. While in Carlow, you can give Caffé 500 a whirl for some tasty pizza or a nice pint in front of a roaring fireplace at Carpe Diem. 

8. Go for a lovely walk by the river at Goresbridge (10 minutes)

I drove into Goresbridge, crossed the narrow stone bridge over the River Barrow and parked up by the riverbank, then took a quick fifteen minute scenic stroll down the flat, grassy towpath to the nearby Ballyellen Lower Lock. Afterwards, I headed for a coffee and cake (and an Irish soda bread) at The Goodly Barrow Café.

9. See rocks laid by giants at the Brownshill Portal Tomb, County Carlow (15 minutes)

Famous for having the largest and heaviest stone capstone in Europe, weighing an estimated 100 to 150 tonnes. It was built in the Early Neolithic period, between 4,900 and 5,500 years ago, by some of Ireland's first farming communities. It's never been excavated, so its exact ceremonial or burial purpose is still a mystery and medieval legend claims the stones were placed there by giants. Pretty cool to see, although it is also, in fairness, some rocks in a field.

Still on my list

• Smithwick's Brewery Tour, Kilkenny (25 minutes), which I've never quite managed to catch in time, but I'd love to do one day.
• Explorium, National Sport and Science Centre (1 hour 30 minutes), to cycle around in a giant hamster wheel.
• Powerscourt Waterfall and Poulanass Waterfall (1 hour 15 minutes), a couple of pretty waterfalls I still need to get to.
• Beyond the Trees, Avondale (1 hour), which has a giant slide in the woods.

Natalie Lamb and the travel post: Gothenburg, Sweden

A whistle stop trip to Sweden's second city and a great value chilled little city break. I had only 38 hours 30 minutes in Gothenburg, flying in London Stansted (STN) to Gothenburg (GOT): 7:35am-10:25am, 1h50 and flying out Gothenburg (GOT) to Stansted (STN): 10:25pm-11:30pm (but with a 2h30 delay!). Here's what I got up to.

Haga

First stop was a mooch around Haga, the pretty touristy old town (head to Haga Nygata 1, Gothenburg, if you want to find it). It's charming, all cobbled streets and bunting, but it's pretty much just one street, so make sure you take your time, browsing all the cafes and shops along the way.

Café Husaren

While in Haga, you pretty much have to go to Café Husaren. there, you can order a giant cinnamon roll, or hagabullen as it's known locally. It was bigger than my head! It cost me £13.56 for a hagabullen and a hot chocolate (believe me, you're going to need something to wash it down with!).

Skansen Kronan

For nice views over the old town, head to Skansen Kronan. It's a steep but short walk up the hill to this 17th century military fortress, but it's worth it. You get breathtaking, unparalleled 360 degree panoramic views of the city's red brick roofs from up there.

Eat Sweadish Meatballs

You can't go to Sweden and not eat meatballs. I went to Bamba in Masthugget and they were delicious, looked amazing and were very affordable too, at £14.64.

Slottsskogen Park

Slottsskogen Park is a free zoo, just a short walk from the city center. It is home to native Swedish animals including lots of deer wandering about, nestled in a pretty wood. A lovely, easy way to relax.

Feskekörka (Fish Church)

Feskekörka, or the Fish Church, is a fish market shaped like a church. Well worth a look even if you're not planning on buying anything.

Stora Saluhallen (The Great Market Hall)

Stora Saluhallen, the Great Market Hall, is another good spot for browsing and picking up food. Where Feskekörka is more fancy and all about the fish, Stora Saluhallen is more laid back and has more variety. Good to pick up a few free samples too!

Kronhuset Courtyard

Kronhuset Courtyard has some pretty shops selling crafts, tucked away from the main streets. A nice quiet stop if you want to grab a coffee, look at some beautiful old buildings and buy some gifts.

A Boat Trip

A nice way to get a quiet moment is to sit on the massive wooden steps of the Stenpiren Travel Hub, watching the big ships and commuter ferries glide past. If you're in the mood for a short and free trip, hop on lines 286 or 287, which fly a green flag showing they're free to ride. It's only seven minutes one way, but it's a short, cheap way to see the city from a different angle.

Oscar Fredrik Church

Oscar Fredrik Church is a beautiful building, my favourite church in the city. It has a prominent green copper roofs and spires, which are completed by a green interior too. This wasn't on my initial list but I spotted the church from Skansen Kronan and had to go for a visit.

Charity Shops

I was very impressed with the charity shops in Gothenbury- one of them was even 4 stores high! I seem to especially see a lot of them in the area near Järntorget.

The Costs

• Flight return: £39.90
• Flygbussarna airport bus: £14.64 return
• Accommodation, STF Vandrarhem Stigbergsliden: £23.44 (though I had this covered by Hotels.com credit, so it was free)
• Food and drink: £34.68
• Gifts: £7.14

Total spend: £96.36.

All told, I had 38 hours 30 minutes in Gothenburg from landing to my actual, delayed departure. Not bad for a city that gave me deer, some beautiful buildings and a cinnamon roll the size of my head!