City of Caves and Ale Booklet

Published by Nottingham BID on behalf of CAMRA

www.nottinghambid.com

www.itsinnottingham.com

CITY OF CAVES AND ALE ‘Nottingham is famous for good ale, so for Cellars they are all dug out of the rocks and so are very cool. … I drank good ale.’

These words of Celia Fiennes are as true today as they were when penned more than 300 years ago. Celia, who spent nearly 20 years travelling throughout England, was enraptured by Nottingham and its ale.

She was just one of a succession of travel writers who sampled Nottingham’s famous ale and visited its unique caves. Another such writer, Daniel Defoe author of Robinson Crusoe, visited several of Nottingham’s pubs, and their deep rock-cut cellars, which were ‘well stock’d with excellent ale’. So excellent in fact that some of his companions drank rather too much, with consequences ‘not fit to be made matter of history.’

Today people are still attracted to Nottingham’s impressive number of pubs and their caves, all steeped in history, travelling from near and far. And rightly so.

No other city in Europe can boast as many caves as Nottingham (more than 870 are recorded by the City Council).

Most of the City’s caves were used for storage and their cool temperatures made them suitable for the storage of ale. So suitable in fact that the tradition of keeping ale in caves is still continued in a number of the city’s pubs.

Nottingham’s caves are much more than beer cellars, however. They are nationally unique and such an important part of the City’s heritage. In times gone by beer was not only stored in caves, it was brewed in some of them. And until around the time of the English Civil War, malt was produced underground in elaborately carved malting complexes.

Some of Nottingham’s caves can be traced back to the medieval period and are sometimes older than the building above. Whilst pubs above have been rebuilt or changed, the caves below contain much more of their original form and offer fantastic opportunities to follow in the footsteps of the writers of hundreds of years ago, by experiencing a pub experience like none other.

Scott Lomax, Nottingham City Archaeologist

INTRODUCTION: CITY OF CAVES AND ALE Upon visiting Nottingham as far back as the year 893, a Welsh abbot described what he found as ‘the Place of Caves’ and ever since, the City has been famous for its network of man made excavations, hewn out of the easily worked Triassic sandstone upon which it proudly sits. Even Nottingham Castle, perched atop its rocky outcrop, the original of which was erected as long ago as 1068, is renowned to this day for its subterranean passages such as Mortimer’s Hole, while many poorer citizens, especially those living in the Drury Hill and Broad Marsh quarter, were still inhabiting cave dwellings well into the 19th century.

During the intervening years, many caves were also excavated for business purposes, their cool and stable environment proving ideal for the storage of perishables and for carrying on such trades as malting, tanning and in particular, the brewing and keeping of beer. They also did sterling service as highly efficient bomb shelters during the second World War. Today, more than 800 caves have been catalogued and a number of systems such as those under Broad Marsh and the ones that form part of the National Justice Museum are open to the public, while others still being put to good use by some of our excellent, City centre pubs, can also be visited by prior appointment.

Regrettably, however, health and safety regulations in recent years have led to a number of cave cellars such as those at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem being deemed too dangerous for public access, thus forcing licensees to discontinue guided visits down below, while others may require a disclaimer to be signed. Nevertheless, this booklet will point you in the right direction in order to explore this fascinating aspect of our amazing City.

Finally and not surprisingly, the aftermath of the Covid 19 pandemic may well have impacted on the availability of access to some of these somewhat confined, subterranean spaces. It is, therefore, highly recommended that you check out the situation with individual locations well in advance of your intended visit. Even if cave access is denied, however, the sheer sense of history directly beneath your feet, not to mention the excellent and varied ales on offer, should still ensure more than enough reasons to explore these wonderful and unique establishments.

John Westlake, Editor

City of Caves and Ale Pub listings

Angel Microbrewery Deep in the historic Lace Market conservation area, the Angel Microbrewery is housed in a classic, Grade II listed street corner boozer previously known as the Old Angel prior to the installation of its own, very visible brewing equipment sited in the smaller of the two main rooms. A one-time regular haunt of local author, Alan Sillitoe, whose portrait until quite recently adorned the exterior, the pub’s origins can be traced back to at least the 1600s. Since then it has enjoyed a colourful history, which includes serving as a brothel, the scene of two murders during the 18th century and, perhaps in an attempt at redemption, reputedly the site of a chapel, which if it is true, might help to explain why the rock-hewn cellar below is in the shape of a cross. A steep, winding staircase leads down to a space, 16m by 16m including barrel thralls, which also served as an air raid shelter during the second World War, while the original pews can now be found upstairs. In addition to the Angel’s own selection of cask beers, several guest ales from other small producers are usually available.

7 Stoney Street, Lace Market.

Tel: 0115 9483343 theangelmicrobrewery.co.uk

Bell Inn One of England’s oldest inns, the Grade II listed Bell, with its medieval vaulted and pillared, rock hewn cellars, which are once believed to have been connected to the long vanished friary after which nearby Friar Lane gets its name, enjoys a prime position almost overlooking the Old Market Square. The attractive frontage, which was remodelled around 1820, affords access to a central, stone flagged corridor that leads between two cosy, oak beamed drinking salons featuring some nice, early 20th century stained glass elements, to a main lounge bar at the rear. Points of interest here include an old well, now topped with glass, which forms part of the serving counter and an informative frieze along the length of one wall displaying a timeline of previous landlords. Three cask ales from Greene King, along with two from the local Nottingham Brewery, are usually supplemented by up to four guest beers sourced from far and wide.

18 Angel Row. Tel: 0115 9475241 www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/nottinghamshire/bell-inn

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Cross Keys It is known that the original alehouse and brewery on this site overlooking Weekday Cross was attached to the nearby St Peter’s Church since at least the 17th century, while the first known record of a Cross Keys public house, complete with its extensive cave cellars, dates from 1785. However, construction of the Midland Railway required the excavation of a tunnel passing directly below the premises, which failed to be sufficiently deep and managed to totally undermine the foundations. This resulted in the cellar, together with its entire contents, collapsing into the tunnel workings, apparently much to the delight of the men toiling away down below, who reportedly took full advantage of the situation! Indeed, such was the extent of the damage that the entire structure had to be demolished and subsequently rebuilt in its current, Grade II listed form in 1900.

The attractive, black and white painted façade with its oversized, ornate windows is fronted by a pleasant, pavement based drinking area, while the comfortably furnished, split-level interior benefits from some fine, decorative plasterwork, partial dark wood panelling and a few nice stained glass elements.

Meanwhile, several banks of handpumps along the bar offer a choice between one real cider and Sharp’s Doom Bar, together with a range of Navigation Brewery beers such as Saviour and New Dawn, not to mention ales from other smaller breweries that occasionally make a guest appearance.

15 Byard Lane.

Tel: 0115 9417898 www.crosskeysnottingham.co.uk

Curious Tavern The Mercure, previously The George, is Nottingham’s oldest hotel and formerly a coaching inn dating from around 1822, where such luminaries as Charles Dickens, Henry Irving and Richard Burton together with Elizabeth Taylor are reputed to have stayed. Today it also incorporates the Curious Tavern, a more recent addition adjacent to the main entrance, which offers an appealing, ‘olde worlde’, dimly lit drinking environment featuring a mixture of flagstone and bare wood floors that in turn support an array of suitably traditional furnishings. There is a choice of three cask beers, often showcasing ales from the local Navigation Brewery, while a rectangular, weight-bearing glass panel affords a tantalising view of the cave cellars below.

Public access to these is via a passageway outside and around the corner, then down the stairs on the right leading to the loos. At the unsignposted bottom, turn left and then right along a short corridor that ends at a stairway with rope handholds, which winds down to the Lost Caves Gin Bar below, an atmospheric, cruciform space, which is proving very popular with younger drinkers in the know.

2a George Street, Lace Market.

Tel: 0115 9881252 www.thecurioustavern.co.uk

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Dragon Originally known as the Green Dragon in the 17th century, this welcoming and unspoilt pub was rebuilt in 1879 and rechristened the George and Dragon, only for the ‘George and’ bit to be dropped in more recent times. The pleasing but very modest exterior with its fine, stone mullioned window conceals a simply furnished, narrow, split-level interior that extends back for some distance towards the rear, where a rather unexpected and enclosed beer garden will be found. Worthy of particular mention is one unusual feature to be found here in the shape the Racing Room up a few steps and adjacent to the garden, where a full size, Scalextric track can be hired out by aficionados or those who simply want something a bit different to enliven their parties or functions. Meanwhile, dispensed from casks stored in a cave cellar below measuring 9m by 20m, Oakham Citra and Castle Rock Harvest Pale comprise the regular beer offering , usually supplemented by two guest ales.

67 Long Row. Tel: 0115 9417080 www.the-dragon.co.uk

Falcon Inn A green striped faience and fine porch add to the external appeal of this traditional, two-roomed freehouse built in 1853, which shares the same Canning Circus roundabout with the neighbouring Sir John Borlase Warren. After a regrettable period of closure, it was reopened and refurbished in 2013, with the new owners very keen to retain the pub’s original internal layout and to preserve its cosy Victorian charm. The rock hewn cellar underneath measures 8m by 9m and includes its own ventilation shaft, while a fine row of handpumps along the bar counter offers a choice of up to six ever-changing cask ales together with two real ciders.

1 Alfreton Road.

Tel: 0115 9244635 www.thefalconinn.co.uk

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Fothergills Overlooked by the Castle walls and the famous statue of Robin Hood, Fothergills occupies a Grade II listed edifice dating from 1883 and previously known as Mortimer House, which displays the wonderfully elaborate, redbrick style typically associated with the iconic Victorian architect and local lad, Watson Fothergill, from whom the pub, needless to say, derives its name. The stripped back and well-lit, relaxed interior, despite substantial modernisation, still retains many of the original architectural features, while the food offering veers more towards restaurant standard than pub grub, with prices to match. Wash down a top-notch lunch or dinner with a glass of locally brewed Navigation beer, or one of the two guest beers usually available.

5-7 Castle Road.

Tel: 0115 9588195 www.fothergillsnottingham.com

Golden Fleece Built in or around 1845, and refurbished in 2013, this Grade II listed, classic, street corner Victorian boozer comprises a multi-level, L-shaped room, which extends some way back, where a pleasant roof garden makes for a nice retreat when the British weather permits. The menu tends to focus on vegan dishes, while the choice of up to four regularly changing cask beers usually available often includes one from the Angel Microbrewery, with whom there is a commercial relationship.

Beneath the pub and of particular interest is a network of rock hewn cave cellars spread over no less than three levels, which are amongst the deepest in the City, an indication of which can be gleaned through a glass panel in the floor that now covers the former barrel drop.

105 Mansfield Road.

Tel 0115 855 7475

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Hand & Heart In 1866, this establishment commenced its working life solely as a brewery, with production taking place in converted stables to the rear and the beer then lowered into the rock hewn cellar below for conditioning. It was not long, however, before a Victorian shop frontage was added and the business started selling its beers direct to the public. It had become a proper pub. The business eventually ceased brewing its own beer in 1933 and sadly, closed altogether in 2004, only to be rescued by its current owners some four years later and restored to its former glory. The light and airy room upstairs somewhat reminiscent of a covered beer garden, complete with a balcony, is a more recent addition, but the main attraction is to be found downstairs behind the cosy front bar with its eclectic seating, where a long and narrow, candlelit restaurant occupies a space carved out of the solid sandstone. Behind here and extending even further back on the same level is the rock cellar measuring 11m by 20m, while even more cave like features can be seen in the toilets.

Real ciders and perries are readily available here, together with a fine selection of up to eight cask ales including Light Hearted and Heavy Handed, two beers brewed especially for the pub by the award winning, Derby based Dancing Duck Brewery.

65-67 Derby Road.

Tel: 0115 8418428 www.thehandandheart.co.uk

Lincolnshire Poacher Having started life in the 1830s as a simple beerhouse called the Old Grey Nag’s Head, the pub was expanded into the property next door in 1989 and renamed under the management of the local Castle Rock Brewery. It has also had the honour to be twinned with the iconic In de Wildeman bar in central Amsterdam for more than 30 years in recognition of the dedication shown by both establishments towards serving a wide variety of beer in tip-top condition. The interior comprises a simply furnished, L-shaped main bar, a cosy, carpeted and wood panelled snug with button leather bench seating and a light and airy conservatory just beyond. To the rear there is also an attractive beer garden with cheerful, beach hut style cabins, which are just the job when the Heavens open, while the rock hewn cellar below measuring 8m by 5m is still very much in use.

Three banks of handpumps along the serving counter are an encouraging sight and provide thirsty customers with a choice of up to six cask beers chosen from the Castle Rock portfolio, together with four or five ever-changing guest ales and at least one craft cider.

161-163 Mansfield Road.

Tel: 0115 941 1584 www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/pubs/lincolnshire-poacher

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Malt Cross Built by Edwin Hill in 1877 as a music hall and still very recognisable as such, this wonderful, Grade II listed structure still retains a small stage, which continues to be put to good use on a regular basis. Extensively restored in 2014, many original features have been carefully preserved, including the upstairs gallery with its cast iron balustrade and the astonishing, barrelvaulted ceiling constructed entirely of wood and glass without the use of a single nail! Nowadays owned by a charitable trust, rooms in the basement constructed in part by taking advantage of caves occupied in more recent times by an Indian restaurant, now house a multi-purpose heritage art and craft centre and organised heritage and cave tours are advertised on their website. Meanwhile, handpumps set along the bar counter offer a selection of up to six cask ales, one of which is usually sourced from the local Navigation Brewery.

16 St. James’s Street.

Tel:0115 9411048 www.maltcross.com

New Castle Inn Built during the inter war years on the site of an earlier tavern and originally called the Smith’s Arms, this classic back-street local was later renamed the Lamp in recognition of its popular nickname acquired by virtue of the large lantern, which still hangs over the front door to this day. Sadly closed in 2013 following the demise of the Barnsley based Oakwell Brewery, it was reopened two years later in private hands and rechristened the New Castle in a nod to the landlady’s previous pub not a million miles away. The new owner quickly embarked upon a programme of renovation and refurbishment, which has led not only to the addition of a conservatory and small patio at the rear, but also the laborious re-excavation of the extensive, double storey cave cellar system. At the lowest level, traces of a hearth and an old barrel thrall, together with a well shaft, point to the likelihood that the original pub once brewed its own beer and given advance notice, it may well be possible to arrange a guided tour, but be warned, there is also a spring feeding into the deepest chamber, which can often be under several inches of water!

Upstairs, meanwhile, and immediately behind the pub’s attractively tiled and flower bedecked frontage is a cosy and very traditionally equipped lounge parlour with a fine fireplace and padded bench seating, while towards the rear is a larger public bar featuring a pool table and a suitably impressive, wooden beam barrel hoist. In between, a central serving area offers a choice of up to four regularly changing cask beers, one of which is usually selected from the range offered by the Burton upon Trent based Heritage Brewery, renowned for recreating longlost beers such as Offiler’s Bitter, Charrington’s Oatmeal Stout and Worthington White Shield.

8 Sneinton Road, Sneinton.

Tel: 0115 9504601

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Raglan Road Irish Bar Converted from a music shop in 2008 and originally called the Hawksley in honour of Thomas Hawksley, a civil engineer born in nearby Arnold who oversaw the supply of fresh water to the City in the mid 19th century, it was reborn in 2015 and converted into an Irish themed bar, the name being derived from a poem by Patrick Kavanagh. The spacious downstairs room regularly hosts live Irish music events and a modest amount of extra seating can be found behind the serving counter, where two small alcoves are carved into the solid rock, which also reappears in the adjacent gents toilet. The cave cellar itself measuring just 6m by 3m is no longer in use, but a visit in the opposite direction upstairs is certainly worthwhile in order to discover a modern lounge bar complete with an unexpected, if somewhat diminutive beer garden. There are normally four cask beers from which to choose, two of which are sourced from local breweries, including the ever-reliable Castle Rock Harvest Pale. The other one, Shipstone’s Gold Star, keeps alive a famous name from Nottingham’s illustrious brewing heritage. Founded in 1852, James Shipstone & Sons had a major presence in the City for many years, but was eventually sold to a ruthless competitor and closed down in early 1991. Fortunately, however, the name and recipes were preserved and the beers are once again being crafted in a small brewery within barrel rolling distance of the original redbrick, Victorian, tower based building in Basford, which still proudly graces the skyline, albeit occupied nowadays by a firm of auctioneers.

69-73 Derby Rd. Tel: 0115 9583359 raglanroadbar.com

Royal Children This historic, brewer’s Tudor style pub was rebuilt somewhere between 1925 and 1935 and according to legend, derives its name from the children of Queen Anne, who is supposed to have lodged here in 1688. Look out for the ancient whalebone, an unusual feature that once hung over the front door to signify the fact that whale oil could be purchased here. Beneath the floor, a cave cellar measuring 6m by 9m provides the ideal environment in which to store casks of ale, three of which are usually available, including Harvest Pale from the nearby Castle Rock Brewery.

50a Castle Gate.

Tel: 0115 958 0207

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Sir John Borlase Warren Named after Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren, who was born in nearby Stapleford and went on to enjoy an illustrious naval career during the 18th century, this attractive, Regency era, cream painted hostelry is one of two that are sited side by side on what is effectively a roundabout. The split-level interior comprises four well appointed rooms and extends back to include a secluded beer garden and upstairs patio. Meanwhile, the sandstone cave cellars below and measuring 18m by 28m accommodate a thrall for stillaging beer casks and can easily be viewed by means of a virtual cellar tour, which forms a useful part of the pub’s website. Managed since 2015 under the auspices of the locally based Lincoln Green Brewery, as many as 11 cask ales and real ciders often grace the bar, not to mention a choice of in excess of 100 craft gins.

1 Ilkeston Road.

Tel: 0115 9881889 www.sirjohnborlasewarren.co.uk

Six Barrel Drafthouse (Hockley) Originally called the Lord Nelson, the interior has been completely remodelled in recent years and now features plenty of rustic woodwork, both in the fittings and the furniture. Live music gigs and open mic nights are regular events, while the choice of cask beers includes Castle Rock Harvest Pale together with five guest ales, one of which is usually sourced from the Derbyshire based Pentrich Brewery. An old well, nowadays concealed, used to look down towards the cave cellar beneath measuring 9m by 17m, which incorporates an old barrel thrall and what was once a meat storage area.

14-16 Carlton Street.

Tel: 0115 9501798 www.sixbarreldrafthouse.co.uk

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Ye Olde Salutation Inn Another contender for the title of Nottingham’s oldest pub with foundations dating back to the 13th century, most of the current Grade II listed ‘Sal’ was built some 400 years later above a labyrinth of caves, some of which are thought to be haunted. Other parts of the system have been suggested to date all the way back to a 9th century Saxon farmstead, with claims they were used for brewing as well as accommodation, but while more recent research casts doubt on such assertions, these caves are undoubtedly medieval and quite probably the most complete and important to be found in the City. It is even believed by some that the legendary outlaw, Dick Turpin, managed to escape arrest by the skin of his teeth upon being found hiding within these excavations. Interestingly, the original name was ‘Ye Olde Salutation Inn – the Angel Gabriel Saluting the Blessed Virgin Mary’, but being something of a mouthful, this was later abridged. However, in the mid 17th century it was temporarily renamed ‘The Soldier and Citizen’ when Cromwell’s puritan movement sought to remove any biblical references in public life, only for it to be reinstated with the restoration of the monarchy. Today, the heavily restored interior has retained much of its stone flagged flooring, along with its oak beams and since the 1950s, it has become a respected music venue hugely popular with bikers and rockers, who can also avail themselves of well-kept Robinson’s Trooper, Wychwood Hobgoblin Ruby or any of the other five cask ales usually on tap.

Corner of Maid Marian Way and Houndsgate.

Tel: 0115 9589819 www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/nottinghamshire/ye-oldetrip-to-jerusalem Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Laying claim to being this Country’s oldest public house and reputedly dating from 1189, the Grade II listed Trip, as it is affectionately known, is an historic gem whatever its age and should be high on the ‘must see’ list of any visitor to this fair City. Set at the foot of the rocky outcrop upon which the Castle stands and immediately adjacent to the Museum of Nottingham Life in Brewhouse Yard, an attractive, shady beer garden greets patrons as they approach the black and white, part timbered exterior, many little suspecting what they will find within. Mostly carved out of the solid rock, four characterful ground floor and two upstairs rooms, the latter accessed by a rock hewn staircase, create a unique drinking environment packed with interesting features, such as the Cursed Galleon. Originally hanging from the rocky ceiling in the upstairs bar, legend has it that anyone who tries to clean this cobweb infested model ship, now safely housed in a glass case, will soon come to a very sticky end and some are believed to have already done so! Meanwhile, deep grooves cut into the sandstone walls of the room immediately inside the main entrance are clear evidence of many, many years of customers playing ‘ringing the bull’, an ancient game involving swinging a ring suspended from the ceiling in order to land it on the bull’s horn secured to the far wall. Indeed, you can still try your hand at this tricky pastime as long as the pub is not too busy.

Three regular cask ales, often including Greene King Abbot and Extra Pale Ale from the Nottingham Brewery, are normally joined by up to six guest beers, the casks being stored in the rock hewn cellar below. Measuring a rather roomy 17m by 27m and complete with an old cockpit and supporting rock pillar, escorted subterranean tours used to be a popular event. Sadly, however, it has been necessary for these to be discontinued because of health and safety considerations, but at least interesting black and white illustrations of these excavations can still be found dotted around the various rooms.

Brewhouse Yard.

Tel: 0115 9473171 www.triptojerusalem.com www.nottinghamcamra.org

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City of Caves

At the City of Caves visitor attraction in Nottingham, you venture underground to experience what life was like beneath Nottingham’s streets when the caves complex was home to an industrious and thriving community.

On an audio-tour, you explore a labyrinth of passageways where people lived and worked from medieval times right through to the start of the 20th century.

You hear incredible stories about the medieval tannery in the caves – the only underground one remaining in the country – which is the centrepiece of the City of Caves tour today. Here, people worked tirelessly in indescribably harsh conditions to make a living.

Footprints of the 18th and 19th century houses built above the caves remain intact for visitors to view. Owners of these houses would rent out their underground spaces for people to live in, and the stories of these unusual homes are brought to life as part of the caves tour.

And, while the journey starts centuries back, it also explores more recent history when the caves were used as pub cellars and provided people with shelter from the bombs that were targeted on Nottingham in World War Two.

Find out more at: nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk/cityofcaves

Other Important Caves Peel Street Mammoth Cave 10m below houses and shops on Mansfield Road, and accessible from Peel Street, is Nottingham’s largest cave system. Colourfully nicknamed Robin Hood’s Mammoth Cave when tours first took place in 1892, more than a thousand visitors have been led through this extensive labyrinth since tours recommenced in 2018. Originally a sand mine, in operation for approximately 30 years in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the cave was modified so it could be used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War. It contains many original features associated with its mining history and is also arguably Nottingham’s best-preserved air raid shelter. Uniquely it contains two paintings dating to the 1840s, both painted by Andrew McCallum, a renowned artist of his time. Guided tours, led by the City Archaeologist, take place throughout the year but are always in high demand. Private group bookings can be arranged.

Peel Street.

Tel: 0884 4775678 www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk Contact: Scott.lomax@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Catacombs The Catacombs are located in the Church Cemetery (better known as Rock Cemetery), off Mansfield Road. Tours of the catacombs began for the first time in 2019 and have proved to be popular. Created during the mid-19th century, the passages and small chambers were never actually used to house the dead, despite the great care that went into their creation. Also within the Rock Cemetery are the partial remains of a sand mine, currently not safe to enter. Most of the extensive sand mine which existed was destroyed towards the beginning of the 19th century, following a number of fatal rock falls. Within the remains of the mine, a number of pillars of which are visible, the cemetery was later formed.

Forest Road East.

Tel: 0884 4775678 www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk

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Park Tunnel The Park Tunnel is Nottingham’s most accessible cave, being open all year long. Located within the Park Estate and also accessible from Derby Road, it is a gem which is surprisingly little known. The 38m long tunnel was commissioned by the Duke of Newcastle who wanted a carriageway linking Derby Road to the Park. Work began in 1840, but due to a number of delays it was only completed in 1855. The tunnel was never used as a carriageway because of its steep gradient but it is used as a pedestrian route as well as occasionally being the venue for yoga and choir performances.

33 Derby Road.

(Easy access is via what looks to be the car park entrance underneath a modern office block, just a little further up the road from Nottingham Cathedral)

Nottingham Castle The Castle Rock, on which Nottingham Castle once stood, is riddled with cave systems, some of which are accessible. The most famous is that known as Mortimer’s Hole, which is claimed to have been the passageway through which Edward III and his small band of soldiers secretly entered the Castle to capture Roger Mortimer in October 1330. The rock-cut passage used in this historic event is likely to have been a different cave, which is inaccessible to the public and leads out into the Park. However, Mortimer’s Hole has played an important role in the Castle’s history since its creation, which is thought to have been in the aftermath of a siege involving Richard the Lionheart in 1194.

It was used as a service tunnel, through which goods could be carried from Brewhouse Yard up to the Castle. A second medieval cave, known as King David’s Dungeon, can also be visited.

Named after King David II of Scotland who, according to local legend, spent a small amount of time imprisoned in a cave at the Castle following his capture in 1347, this cave is believed to have been used as one of the dungeons of the Castle and later for storage. Technically not a cave, but largely rock-cut, is the Ducal Wine Cellar, created in the late 17th century for the storage of wine, and probably other drinks and perishable foods.

All the caves at the Castle are of national important and have Scheduled Monument status, meaning that they are protected by law.

Lenton Road.

Tel: 0115 876 1450 www.nottinghamcastle.org.uk

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Museum of Nottingham Life A number of cave chambers can be found at the rear of the Brewhouse Yard cottages, cut into the Castle Rock. One of these chambers is earlier than the cottages and is believed to have been the Brewhouse which gives the Yard its name.

Those suffering from plague were isolated here in 1610.

When the cottages forming the museum began to be built in the late 17th century, more chambers were carved into the rock to form cellars. During the Second World War the cellars were joined together to form an air raid shelter for the workers of the Waterworks Company but at times of raids the employees are said to have preferred to seek the shelter of the caves at the Trip to Jerusalem next door! In the 1950s and 1970s one of the cave chambers at the museum was used by the University of Nottingham’s Physics Department, with cosmic ray experiments taking place. There is a separate cave system, containing a well, located beneath the cottages.

Brewhouse Yard, Castle Boulevard.

Tel: 0115 8761400 www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk

National Justice Museum Some of Nottingham’s caves were used as prison cells, detaining those responsible for a range of crimes. Some of these cells can be seen, and entered, beneath the National Justice Museum, a visitor attraction housed within the reputedly haunted 18th century Shire Hall, which did serve as a court and prison and was built on the site of a medieval hall and prison. Deep beneath the courtrooms are the cells, all cut out of the rock. A chamber with a cross is suggested to have been used as the prison chapel. Next to the chapel is a curious deep pit, which tour guides claim was used as an oubliette (forgotten place) in which prisoners were left to die.

High Pavement.

Tel: 0115 9520555 www.nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk

Entrance to the Sheriff’s Dungeon - ‘A Place to be Forgotten’

www.nottinghamcamra.org

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City of Caves (Broadmarsh) A complex set of caves originally consisting of individual smaller caves, which over time have been enlarged and joined together. The oldest part of the cave system, which is accessed from the foot of the steps to be found beside the Nottingham Contemporary building at Weekday Cross, can be traced back to the medieval period and are thought to have been the reason for Drury Hill’s original name: Vault Lane. Among the medieval caves is the only surviving below ground tannery in the City. Most of the other caves were used for storage, including a small chamber used by Sam Hancock for his beerhouse during the 18th century, although a larger chamber was used as a stable. Parts of the cave system were only discovered during demolition of the buildings in the late 1960s to make way for the shopping centre, now itself being demolished. Carefully preserved, this impressive cave system is a Scheduled Monument.

Garner’s Hill.

Tel: 0115 9881955 www.nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk/cityofcaves

An ancient subterranean tavern

Wollaton Hall Accessed via the Tudor kitchens and wine and beer cellar, a cave system leads to what is known as the Admirals Bath.

This is thought to have been a water reservoir. Along the rock-cut passage are brick thralls. The system was used for storage of goods including wine. Tours of the kitchen, cellars and cave take place on a regular basis.

Wollaton Park.

Tel: 0115 8763100 www.wollatonhall.org.uk

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Lincolnshire Poacher

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E BELLAR GAT

RL AN E

E

HURTS ARD Y

E ARCAD

WEST END

T ST MOUN

T

TREE

ROW PARK

BELWARD ST

M STR

GTON S

HU N NTI

ROAD

N GDO

EE STR

NORTH SHERWOOD

DRYDEN ST

ALMA CL

EET STR

REET

POPHA

CARRIN REET STATION ST

D SFIEL

ET

STRE

OOK NBR

EY ST CLIFF ROAD

STATION STREET TRAM STOP

M AN

RTH

E SQ

PTR

PLUM

EET

L STR

REET

8 ET STRE

TONE

OWS

Other Important Caves 19 - Peel Street Mammoth Cave 20 - Catacombs 21 - Park Tunnel 22 - Nottingham Castle 23 - Museum of Nottingham Life 24 - National Justice Museum 25 - City of Caves 26 - Wollaton Hall

10

FULFO

TRE ST

PLUMP

HOLL

Nottingham College

CANAL ST

NATIONAL ICE CENTRE AND MOTORPOINT ARENA

BARKER GATE

T

20

GILL STREET

WOOLPACK LANE

BROADW A Y

MIDDLE PAVE MEN T

25

12

GOOSE GATE

24

15 - Royal Children 6 - Raglan Road Irish Bar 1 17 - Sir John Borlase Warren 18 - Six Barrel Drafthouse

PEEL

1

ET

RE STATION ST

AD N RO

INTO

SNE

STON

BYARD LANE

DS

VARD

BOULE

EET

CRA

REET

R NFO

ALBION ST

STR

PILCHER GATE

RAILWAY STATION

Tram line

OK

CANA

IVE

19

BRO

GATE WARSER LACE MARKET TRAM STOP

3

COLLIN STREET

RIL DR

City of Caves and Ale Pub listings 1 - Angel Microbrewery 2 - Bell Inn 3 - Cross Keys 4 - Curious Tavern 5 - Dragon 6 - Falcon Inn 7 - Fothergills 8 - Golden Fleece 9 - Hand and Heart 10 - Lincolnshire Poacher 11 - Malt Cross 12 - New Castle Inn 13 - Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem 14 - Ye Olde Salutation Inn

ET RE ST

T AD S

ST

BROADMARSh site

13

23

TREET

MIDDLE HILL

E GAT TLE CAS

LISTER GATE

15

LOW PAVEMEN T

BRO

E GAT NDS

N DO ING NT HU

’S GATE ETER ST P

ATE

AD LE RO

NOTTINGHAM CASTLE

CASTLE

ON ST 18 CARLT

CAST

22

ATE

RG

STA

G TLE CAS

14

AY NW

7

AD ON RO

PEVE

TE

ARIA

E

AC

ERR

DM M AI

ST ES’

JAM IA FR

LENT

HOU

ROW

ST A DS G HOUN

ET

JAM ST

E STRE

ST

LE

NIEL SPA

ERN

T SS ES’

GEORG

POST

VICTORIA

CHEAPSIDE POULTRY

BRIDLESMITH GATE

PEW ALK

4

PELHAM STREET

BOTTLE LANE

EE

RO

STH PARADE

OLD MARKET SQ TRAM STOP

WH

Y WA

E

RAC

TER

THE

OLD MARKET SQ

T REE

T

E ST

AN ARI

TREE

1

LONG ROWE Y ROW SMITH

LONG ROW

11

ID M

K PAR

NT S

THURLAND

MA

REGE

2

HIGH STREET

WELLINGTON CIRCUS

T LINCOLN STREE

TREET

NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE

LONG R OW ANGEL WEST ROW

GREY

D ST

E

5

CHAPEL BAR

ET

ST NT KE

BATH S

STREET

HOUN

RRAC

STRE

LOWER PARLIAMENT S CLUMBER

EGE

EET

COLL

TR MILTON S

ET NT STRE RLIAME A P R E UPP

ALBERT HALL

VICTORIA CENTRE

KING ST

LE TE

21

THEATRE ROYAL

T EN S QUE

EW ALK

T AN S F OR M

MARKET STREET

ROP

ROYAL CENTRE TRAM STOP

WOLLATON STREET

HILL

CAST

ROAD

USE L HO

NEW

43

REET

TOL

THE

DERB Y

THE CORNERHOUSE

ROYAL CONCERT HALL

TON ST

9

17

US SHO

REET rock city27

TALBOT STREET

WOLLA

S GLA

H ST

T DON S

Q TRINITY S

TALBOT STREET

16

10

H OW ARD

N CHURC

NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY

PER TH ST

ST

ET

D

REET

CHAUCER STREET

6

VICTORIA BUS STATION

ER GAT

SHAKES

TRE

SOUTH SHERWOOD ST

EN CLAR

26

EET STR

HS

N GDO

MIT

N NTI

LDS

ST

EET

GO

NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY TRAM STOP

BLUECOAT

STR

HAMPDEN STREET

HU

REET DRYDEN ST

ALMA CL

GILL STREET

K YOR

NORTH SHERWOOD STREET

PEE

Tram line

ROAD

EET L STR

FLETCH

19

Mortimer’s Hole