Having had such a great ‘destination’ review from Cara of Patternbooth blog fame via Helen’s blog DesignHunter we chose Nottingham for a last minute weekend get-a-way. I had last visited the city as a student in about 1997 and this time we set off looking for a completely different experience from the cider-drinking ‘DM boot wearing’ art student of yesteryear.

We visited lots of independent cafes and restaurants, watched a great art-film in the Lounge at the Broadway Cinema, shopped in vintage shops & design shops and yes, we did find time to sup ale at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. It is a city with a great variety of interesting buildings embracing a myriad of architectural styles; almost a timeline of the design history lectures I give to my Textile Design students. The lace trade is still visible in many ways, and contemporised on the exterior surface on Nottingham Contemporary.

We had a thoroughly great time and returned home with rounder tummies and fuller bags than when we left Brum on Friday night! Thanks Cara, Helen and Nottingham!

images L-R: exterior facade of a car park, dots on a crossing, Nottingham Contemporary exterior, stair detail from the Paul Smith shop