With the temperatures dropping day by day and the Christmas countdown slowly kicking into gear, it can be hard to keep your study motivation high. But fear not, we have compiled a list of all the best things to do in Nottingham to make the most of those study breaks.
Nottingham’s Christmas Market
It wouldn’t be Christmas in Nottingham without the Winter Wonderland in Old Market Square. This year, from the 15th November until December 31st, you can explore some of the 70 traditional craft and food stalls where you will surely find a fair few Christmas presents, as well as being able to sample the best speciality cheeses and chocolates on offer. If that wasn’t enough, the new edition of a toboggan slide on King Street, or the return of the ice rink and ice bar will surely give you something to do this winter.
Stop off at your favourite coffee shop
It’s no secret that most students love coffee, and what better time of year to invest in a warm beverage? Especially now all the festive menus have appeared in shops, I personally would recommend Starbucks’ festive toffee nut latte. As well as the bigger and well-known chains, Nottingham is also home to a number of smaller and independent coffee shops that won’t only make you a cup, but can also make it look as Instagram-worthy as possible! Dotted around the city centre and further afield, you’re sure to stumble across somewhere that will do whatever takes your fancy whether it be a latte, mocha or a seasonal special. Grab a friend or two and dedicate an hour to having a catch up over a drink to get out of the cold weather and out of your uni room.
Our suggestions: 200 Degrees Coffee, Coco Tang and Fox Cafe
Host a Christmas film night
Now that the seasonal period is upon us and Christmas is everywhere, what better way to get into the Christmas spirit than watching a festive film (or two)? Invite your friends and flatmates over for a movie night and enjoy the last few weeks of the semester before the winter exam revision really kicks into gear. Whether the traditional favourites are your cup of tea, or whether you prefer the new and insanely cheesy festive films, Netflix and television this Christmas will cater for everyone.
Our suggestions: The Christmas Switch (Netflix), Once Upon a Deadpool (available in cinemas Dec 11th) and Love Actually.
Brave the colder weather on a day out
Lastly, and this is probably the last thing you’ll be wanting to do when it’s cold, but there’s a reason it’s made our list! If there’s one thing we love about the winter months, it’s observing the change in the seasons, and what better way to experience it than visiting some of Nottingham’s best parks and scenery? Whilst it might not snow for a number of weeks or months yet (thanks to Britain’s unpredictable weather), we have been seeing a lot of frost lately due to the dropping temperatures, so make the most of it – grab your hat and scarf, and venture outside for a seasonal walk and photoshoot.
(Plus, they’ll make for a great winter Instagram or blog post!)
Our suggestions: The Arboretum, Sherwood Forest and Newstead Abbey
By Faith Pring