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An ancient maze of caves dwells deep beneath Nottingham’s historic streets: secret passageways, as intricate as the reams of lace once manufactured in this city. Just like this medieval network of caverns and coves, Nottingham’s Igloo rocks – and after two nights with all creature comforts, we totally dug it. So, since it won’t leave a hole in your budget, a visit to Notts and the Igloo should be top of every backpacker’s agenda.
Igloo Backpackers -
Cat, our cracking travel writer, heads to Nottingham. After a fun day exploring the city, what better place to chill than the Igloo?... As our train glided into Nottingham the heavens opened. Deciding to cab it through the downpour, we managed to arrive at the Igloo only slightly sodden. It’s an elegant Victorian building with a bright red front door and unlike the weather, the welcome we received was warm and friendly. Manager Charlie (a seasoned traveller herself) filled us in on how best to negotiate the city’s sprawl, helpfully recommending we make use of the free Centrelink buses and giving us some great tips on where to find the coolest pubs. Nottingham’s fashionable lace district, thread with vintage boutiques and cocktail bars more than lived up to its 32
billing, whilst the Alley Cafe Bar (an itsy-bitsy, fully licensed hideaway) serves delicious organic food and drinks; playing chilled beats well into the evening. After exploring Nottingham’s famous castle and England’s oldest inn (Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem), we spent our first night at the Igloo in The Hut – one of several dorms filled with prettily antiqued bunks, lockers and a good deal of period charm. Needless to say, we slept like stones. As free coffee and tea is always available, the next morning we stoked ourselves with caffeine for the day ahead, chatting in the bright communal
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