22/10/21 - Ye Olde Trip to Nottingham

Distance - 8.5 Miles

Geocaches - 7

Walk Inspiration - Urban Rambles 

After a night at the Nottingham Playhouse to see Britain's finest Kate Bush Tribute band, I find myself in a Premier Inn with a whole day to explore the City.

A walk from the Urban Rambles seems to provide the best way of getting to know the city.

And it finishes at possibly Nottinghams best known pub.  Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is high on all pub tickers lists for it's claim to be England's oldest.  Of course, it's not the only one to self promote this.  I've been a long time visitor of St Alban's Fighing Cocks and this year, actually crossed the threshold of Stow-on-the-Wold's Porch House.

First the walk.  For an Urban Ramble, it largely leaves the City alone but I will be exploring the Lace Market, Sneinton and the Meadows when I start Good Beer Guide Ticking on the evening.

Instead, I am routed first North and West, first through Nottingham's Cemetery and aiming for the mightily impressive Wollaton Deer Park.

Cemetery closed to new applicants in 1923 - already home to 150,000 Souls

Rutting season at Wollaton

Wollaton Hall - C16th

Some claim it to be the home of Bruce Wayne

Exiting Wollaton Park to the South, it's over the A52 and into the grounds of Nottingham University.  The only clues to it being open to the public are the buses and the fact the OS map suggests is is on the Robin Hood Way - a 107 mile long distance path terminating at Edwinstowe.

Nottingham University

The Beeston Canal, picked up in a rough looking industrial estate (they rarely come in any other flavour) delivers me back to the City and post walk refreshment.

Beeston Canal

Much has been written about Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem and its one of those places that seemingly provides a different experience on every visit.  Today, it was lightly populated and an iron gate seemed to stop exploration of the upstairs rooms.  Instead it was a choice between bench seating chiseled into the rock face or outside.

1189AD - Making it England's Oldest?

A Greene King Pub, completing the theme park experience by offering several T-Shirts for sale.  The beer had more than than usual range and the LocALE Nottingham Legend was a decent 4% traditional session ale.

Certainly one of the more interesting pubs to visit.   Is it the best in Nottingham?  Not whilst the Salutation is going strong.

Visit both, that gem is just the other-side of the ring-road.  But of course, its much better to go there after dark.  

When the Nottingham freaks come out to play.