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Hidden Notts: six lesser spotted alleways worth visiting in Nottingham

If you’ve lived in Nottingham a while you’ll probably have at some point found yourself off the beaten path, trying out a shortcut or exploring an alleyway only to discover a cool shop, cafe or bar. Amongst more familiar streets – should you be curious enough – there are some excellent hidden treasures, each with their own historical tales and modern day offerings to enjoy…

Theatre Review: Till the Stars Come Down at the Nottingham Playhouse

A wedding might bring everybody together. Beth Steel is much more interested in what happens once they are all in the same room...

The Thompsons on St Ann's Allotments, singing and summer 2026

Our latest chat with Nottingham's most opinionated grocers. 

Forged in Mansfield: local playwright Beth Steel on her play Till the Stars Come Down and going international

Born and brought up in Warsop, playwright Beth Steel has seen her work performed in London, Tokyo, Mexico, Iceland, Peru and more.  What’s particularly brilliant about this is that they’re usually set in her hometown of Mansfield. She tells us more about her fifth play Till the Stars Come Down, which is coming home to Nottingham Playhouse one week from now …

From farm to fork: the evolution of Spring Lane Farm

Established in 1939, Spring Lane Farm has been run by four generations of the Spencer family, growing from humble origins into a successful family-run enterprise. We sat down with Jessica Spencer and her grandfather Cyril to discuss the farm’s journey and learn more about its onsite cafe-restaurant, The Old Parlour.

The wondrous world of Ruby D’Woo: meeting Nottingham’s own burlesque and cabaret star

From workshop classes in Haus of Ruby D’Woo, to hosting top-notch live burlesque and cabaret shows across the county, Ruby D’Woo is Nottingham's award-winning burlesque and cabaret artist. Ahead of the Cosy Cabaret coming up next month, she tells us what brought her to the burlesque stage, how she crafts performances, and why burlesque has become a journey of self-expression, confidence, and empowerment for so many…

Putting down roots: the story of the Windrush Generation and St Ann's Allotments explored in a new book

Colin Haynes’ book, Caribbean Pioneer Gardeners, tells the story of men whose love for gardening gave them much more than callaloo and oxheart tomatoes. It shares the true story of a group of Windrush residents who turned the neglected, overgrown Hungerhill Gardens, or St Ann's Allotments, as they would become known, into a Caribbean-inspired culinary and horticultural haven.

The Thompsons on the World Cup and Maid Marian

Nottingham's most opinionated greengrocers discuss the World Cup, statues and Noel Coward...

Gig review: All Them Witches and Steak at The Palais

A intoxicating night of psychedelic desert rock came to The Palais on Thursday as Nashville's All Them Witches came to Notts, with support from Steak...

Green and pleasant land: how The Meadows is building sustainability and community health

Five years ago, the Notts suburb of The Meadows got a major funding boost to help the community live greener, richer lives and take local action on climate change. With that grant now ending, local resident Lottie Limb takes a look at what the Green Meadows project has achieved and how it can evolve.

Buy: Three Left Lions 2026 World Cup T-shirt

Rep Nottingham while you watch the World Cup 2026! Our iconic three left lion’s t-shirts are back this summer, with a new range of colours and sizes...

Breakin’ Convention brings Hip Hop to Notts: founder Jonzi D tells all

Founded by Jonzi D, Hip Hop dance festival Breakin’ Convention returns to the Theatre Royal and Concert Hall this month. Bringing together world-class artists such as Ivan Michael Blackstock – a visionary creative behind choreography for Beyoncé - and local voices from rapper and spoken word performer Jah Digga to Hyson Green’s Take1Dance studio, in a celebration of dance, music and storytelling. Ahead of what’s guaranteed to be a boundary pushing celebration of one of the most exciting art forms to watch, Jonzi D talks to us about challenging preconceptions about where Hip Hop belongs… 

Boo the bad guy: the wacky cinematic world of local promoter Will Bailey

Will Bailey is a Nottingham film and events promoter, producing just about anything you could imagine (and a few things which only he could imagine), from Stars In Their Eyes all-dayers to so-bad-it’s-good movies screened at the Notts Bad Movie Club. His latest venture – Boo the Bad Guy – is a new multi-activity celebration of cult cinema, taking place in multiple venues which, more often than not, aren’t cinemas. He tells us more about it, while also reminiscing on past moments of movie magic he’s brought to Notts… 

How ANTI All Genders Barber adds an extra dose of inclusivity to cutting hair in Nottingham

While getting a haircut is a fairly ordinary part of life for some, having a stranger alter your appearance can feel daunting for others, especially if you’re trans or non-binary and find yourself tangled up with widely-debated, unequal gender-based prices, or neurodivergent and don’t feel great about the socially-sanctioned small talk. Nottingham’s ANTI All Genders Barber is looking to provide a solution to that… 

Immersive indie theatre, all day gigs, impactful exhibitions: here's what's on in Nottingham this week 30 March - 5 April

This is a great week in Notts for music and art lovers... check out our top picks.

Left Magpie February: Happy New Year

Back with another Left Magpie, Julian McDougall - our Notts County specialist - on what is beginning to look like a promotion-teasing campaign for the Pies! 

Left Magpie: Jimmy Sirrel, Don Masson and the Anglo Scottish Cup

With Burns Night on the horizon on Sunday 25 January, we invited our regular Notts County, Mansfield Town and Nottingham Forest football columnists to muse on the influence of Scotland in the history of their own clubs. 

Below, Julian McDougall - our Notts County specialist - gives his take... 

All is wells: a story of community planting in St Ann's

Pondering what’s giving him the positive feels going into 2026, our Environment Editor takes a walk (or more likely a cycle or skate) down St Ann’s Well to tell a small but inspirational tale of hope.

E.ON, Green Hustle & My Square Metre Launch Really Big Wildflower Meadow Project in Aspley

Green Hustle are at it again transforming Nottingham parks into wildlife (and human) oases - this time they're working with E.ON, My Square Meter, and Nottingham City Council to rejuvenate a massive meadow in Aspley.