The Nottingham and Beeston Canal was once an important part of the city’s trade, transporting materials for industry and goods like lace and tobacco onward to the rest of the country and worldwide. On this trail, you can explore the city’s heritage and soak in a few pints in traditional pubs. Continue reading or download a PDF copy to your device
Beginning on Sheriff’s Way – visible from the railway station – the Vat and Fiddle (1) is the first of three pubs on this train run by Castle Rock. And it doesn’t come much fresher than this, because the brewery itself is attached to the pub. Its name is derived from the nearby offices of HM Revenue and Customs.
Make your way back towards the station and cast your gaze to the small hut on the right hand side to find BeerHeadz (2), one of Nottingham’s newest micropubs. The hut itself used to be a shelter for taxi drivers, reminiscent of the huts seen dotted around London. The decor may be basic, but the product is good.
Walk across the station, stopping to admire its impressive Victorian facade, and then along Carrington Street to the Barley Twist (3). Also run by Castle Rock, the Twist is a departure from the company’s traditional pubs, concentrating heavily on craft beer – some of which can be a bit strong for our liking – and with prices to match.
It’s time to return to something a bit more traditional. Take a left at the end of Carrington Street, and next to the coffee shop you’ll the sadly closed Fellows, Morton and Clayton , bearing the name of a famous transport company which used to run steam narrowboats across England’s network of canals.
But the real slice of history is just next door at the Canal House (4), where you’ll cross the water inside the bar itself. IT can get a little chilly on a winter’s evening, but this former warehouse is so sprawling that there’s plenty of room to warm up – again, a Castle Rock bar – but distinctly different from the others on this trail.
Still standing? Weave your way around Castle Wharf – bypassing bars we’d rather not show you, and make your way onto Wilford Street to The Navigation (5). On a weekend, you may be blown away by the rock or blues live bands. But the assault on your ears is well compensated by the often huge selection of ales on the bar.
Getting Here
By bus Trent Barton Mainline, Villager and Cotgrave lines all run to Nottingham Station as do Nottingham City Transport Green and Blue routes. The station itself has a tram stop and train services from East Midlands, Cross Country and Northern.