The city of the grand old suspension bridge that Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel built has another of those nicely restored docklands that Britain does so well, with vibrant shops, bars, art venues and restaurants. Despite exuding the brooding aura of the Dark Knight’s lair, it is miles more inviting in its green, rolling grounds dotted with deer, cream tea at the converted stables, and the occasional fair. Pubs for Medieval Crusaders to hub for the Caped Crusader, Nottingham has it all and if Robin Hood doesn’t impress, Batman will! When film director Christopher Nolan chanced upon the grand Gothic pile of Wollaton Hall, he knew it would have to be his Wayne Manor in Batman Returns. And a nocturnal tour that sets out from Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem on the trail of Nottingham’s ghosts takes time out to delve into this netherworld too. That many of these pubs are partially housed in thousand-year-old man-made caves, or sit atop them, using them as cellars for their stocks, make them unlike any other in England.
#Arcade odyssey summer full
The Pitcher & Piano pub, just up the street, is in an old church magnificent to look at, and as full of spirits as when it was a very different house of worship. This pub with a difference is always packed, but pleasantly, with its literary events a huge draw in this Down the hill, opposite the Galleries of Justice, a museum that was the old gaol, is the picturesque Tudor tavern Cock & Hoop. Beside Nottingham Castle is the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, where returning Crusaders gathered to gab about their glory days, like cricket fans after a match. Stop at a fête at Old Market Square, in front of majestic Council House, then hurry on to some of the most interesting pubs in the country. From Baker Street, these are no more than two-three Tube stops away.įrom Trent Bridge, there are trams and buses aplenty but you can also walk to the centre of this merry city, home of Robin Hood. With time in hand-during an obdurate century from the opposition, for example-you might want to explore The British Museum, and The British Library too. When your little grey cells are refreshed and ready, visit The Sherlock Holmes Museum next door, to mull over mysteries worthy of Sherlock (like, is that really Mrs Hudson you spy in the corner?). Have a picnic while you watch the swans weaving through the weeping willow. If it’s the hurly-burly at Lord’s Cricket Ground from which you need a breather, then the best place is verdant Regent’s Park. A saunter away is the wonderful whirligig of the Borough Market, with every manner of person scoffing all kinds of cuisine-from roast hog to oysters to dosa-under its vaulted Victorian glass and iron roof.
You could even board the Golden Hinde, Francis Drake’s famous galleon salvaged, rebuilt and still roguishly manned. Or take a stroll through these riverside lanes of galleries (including the Tate Modern), wine bars, restaurants and the Southbank Centre itself, with all the art and culture it has to offer. Once rejuvenated, roll on down to the South Bank for a spot of rambunctious Shakespeare at the lovingly reconstructed Globe Theatre. If its soaring spires and celebrated rose window appeal to the art lover in all of us, our inner bookworm is bound to savour a hushed sit-down in Poets’ Corner, where the bones of English literature’s who’s who are interred. Back on the ground, and for a change of pace, there are enticing road shows, street-food stalls, and pop-up exhibitions all the way along the embankment, till you arrive, in a matter of minutes, at that other place of profound peace and eternal rest-Westminster Abbey. If your ride’s at night, it is even more ethereal twinkling quietly like the Thames below.
The queue to board it is orderly and once the 135m-wheel starts turning, you are in the clouds, looking down on a tranquil yet clearly teeming London. A mere deuce ball’s flight from The Oval is the London Eye.
But amidst the jubilation and vocal despondency that such jamborees bring, there may be moments when you yearn to be far from the madding crowdĮven this glittering, busy venue of 10 matches, including the packed final, has its oases of calm. The entire cricketing world will be there this summer: the Barmy Army, baggy greens, calypso crew and our boys and girls in blue. Go to England and Wales for the cricket, but stay on for the sights at the World Cup’s 10 venues.
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