As a result of the rising cost of living, a vacation may not always be possible. With half terms and summer holidays looming, it’s time to start planning how to keep everyone entertained. Sometimes a staycation can be the best option and there are plenty of places in the city to wander around for a weekend.
Beeston is just a short tram ride away from Nottingham city centre and it has fast become a popular place to visit for families looking to avoid the crowds. In recent months, the town has seen dramatic changes thanks to a new cinema and also Covid closures of some of its best-loved businesses. Although the town centre is fighting back with a lot of new things to do, businesses to visit and places to eat and drink.
If you fancy getting out of town for a bit then Beeston could be the answer. Enjoy our guide to the best of the city starting with Beeston.
Under £10
Go for a stroll
Highfield's park is one of the prettiest parks in Nottingham and surprisingly big considering it is located in the middle of the university grounds. There is plenty to keep even the littlest visitors entertained with lots of wildlife to spot and even a tree of hope.
Cost - £0
Go boating
It's not every day that we have the weather for a leisurely boat ride so its worth taking the opportunity when we can. Highfield's Park offers the option to rent a boat by the hour for just £5. There are plenty of options for families but also for those on their own including canoes, rowing boats and KataKanu’s.
Cost - £5+
Take a street art tour
Beeston is now home to some of the most impressive pieces of street art that Nottingham has to offer. This is because of a huge street art project launched in previous years which saw over 30 different artists both local and international visit the city to make their mark.
The most impressive piece has to be by French Street artist, Zabou who painted a tribute to three of Nottingham's icons on the wall of the town centre including Paul Smith, Richard Beckinsale and the late singer Edwin Starr. Plan your route ahead of time so you don't miss a painting and that there are plenty of stops for refreshments.
Cost - £0
Go bird watching
The Attenborough Nature Reserve is a great place to go for a walk but also keep an eye out for many of different types of birds that call the park home. The site has recorded over 250 different species over the year along with many varieties of plants and insects.
The reserve is also one of the best places in the UK to spot a kingfisher or two. While the park is free to visit, it does cost £3 to park at the centre all day. If you plan your visit in advance then you might be able to catch one of the various events at the reserve.
Cost - £0 - £3
Take a spin
This is one for the ladies but Nicole Martin runs a women's only dance studio on X street that offers pole and burlesque dancing for just £5 to £7 per class. Pole dancing is a great way to stay fit while toning the arms while burlesque is both fun and sexy.
If neither class is your thing, then the studio also has ariel hoop classes and aerobics. Just check in advance to see when there are classes and what you need to bring.
Cost - £7
Dare to eat differently
Beeston is home to the popular urban cafe, Hing Kee which has a great selection of Asian classic street food dishes. Dare to try something different by sampling grilled octopus balls, baby octopus and topokki, wasabi fries or homemade fresh soybean pudding.
While all the different dishes are priced individually, it's just £3 for a scoop of their amazing Korean ice cream including black sesame seed flavour.
Cost - £3+
Under £20
Catch a blockbuster
The Arc cinema may be the latest addition to Beeston but it is already one of the best places to go to spend an afternoon. It might not be the first thing that springs to mind on a sunny day but, it is air-conditioned so it's possibly one of the coolest ideas.
The cinema has all the latest releases but also hosts the occasional festival such as The Beeston Film Festival. There are a few new businesses due to open on the ground in floor in the next few months. An off-peak ticket costs just £9 so planning ahead means you could save £1.50 on the cost of an adult single.
Cost - Prices start at £9.00 - £10.50 for one ticket
Sample some cheese
Essen is another newcomer to Beeston but it's a great spot to grab lunch and a bit of peace and quiet. The cheese shop will create a broad with a selection of three kinds of cheese for £13 then if you add a glass of French Sauvignon Blanc to the mix for £5.
There is an extensive array of cheese on offer at the restaurant from blue cheese from Bath to the international Fourme D'Ambert. Curate your own board if you feel brave enough or ask the expert staff for a selection.
If you don't fancy taking a seat in the restaurant, it's still worth popping in to have a look at the quirky, well-chosen items for sale in the shop.
Cost- Prices start at £5 for a glass of wine
Try some real Italian food
L'Oliva is a bit of a hidden gem in Beeston despite its local on the high street - if you know, you know. The restaurant has the best authentic Italian outside of, well, Italy itself.
Dishes range between £9 to £15 each and it's worth asking the staff for their recommendations of the specials. The gnocchi alla sorrentino which translates to fresh potato gnocchi, mozzarella, tomato sauce with fresh basil is a must-try. It makes a perfect date night thanks to the cosy atmosphere but be warned - it's a small setting so it gets booked up quickly.
