Nottingham might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of Instagrammable cities in the UK, but this city in the East Midlands is extremely underrated and is packed with photo locations.
If you’re visiting Nottingham, check out this list of the most Instagrammable places in Nottingham and discover the best photo spots Nottingham has to offer, including Instagrammable bars in Nottingham and interesting places in Nottingham to add to your itinerary.
For more ideas in surrounding Nottinghamshire and East Midlands counties, check out these 30 ideas for day trips from Nottingham.
The best photo spots in Nottingham
Green’s Windmill, Nottingham
Green’s Windmill
Did you know there’s a windmill right in Nottingham city centre?
Green’s Windmill was built in the 1800s and is still a functioning windmill today which produces organic flour. The windmill also houses a science centre as George Green, the son of the miller who took over the windmill went on to become one of the most significant mathematical pioneers of his time and his mathematical research and theory are still used today.
Green’s Mill Park in front of the windmill is a great location to snap some Instagrammable pictures of Nottingham, England. Head there on a weekday or in the morning to have the park and the windmill all to yourself.
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
The Oldest Pub in the UK
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is the oldest pub in the UK, dating from 1180 AD, making it one of the historical places in Nottingham that’s perfect for photos, learning some history and grabbing a drink too!
It's a completely unique pub, unlike any other British pub you'll visit. It’s built into the sandstone cliff face which Nottingham Castle sits on top of. Inside the pub, the tiny rooms and wood beam ceilings are tucked into the warren of caves and the exposed cliff face inside is really like you're having a drink in a cave and they also make for some great photo opportunities.
Being such an old and historic building, there are plenty of myths, tales and ghost stories. You can go on tours in the pub, into the cellars and caves below to learn about the history of the pub.
The outside of the pub is iconic, with the name painted on the side and it’s one of the most famous photoshoot locations Nottingham has to offer.
The Old Market Square
The Old Market Square
This big, pedestrianised square in the centre of the city is full of photo opportunities, including the famous stone lions in front of the Nottingham Council House. The front of the Council House itself, the timber-framed buildings on the boarding self-parade or the view up Kings Street.
The Old Market Square is also where you’ll find most events throughout the year including the summer beach, the fair, the Christmas Market or the Big Wheel - all perfect for seasonal photography in Nottingham.
The Magic Garden
Nottingham is pretty well-known for its secret bar scene, especially throughout the Hockley area. So if you’re looking for Instagrammable bars in Nottingham, that’s the place to be.
Don’t miss the Magic Garden on Low Pavement for Instagrammable bars in Nottingham city, while the indoors is cool, it’s the vibrant, colourful outdoor area that you’re really going to want to take a few snaps of, and maybe treat yourself to a drink or two too.
Pitcher & Piano
For Instagrammable restaurants Nottingham has to offer, you can’t miss Pitcher & Piano. Although it’s a chain bar, this location is in a converted church!
This is an absolutely spectacular place to grab some food and a drink and take a few pictures in one of Nottingham’s most beautiful locations.
The Lace Market
Nottingham Lace Market
The Lace Market is a beautiful historic area of the city, full of small alleyways, redbrick buildings and independent stores.
The Lace Market was once the centre of the British lace industry and its Victorian factories have been converted into boutiques, independent pubs, hidden bars and creative spaces like the contemporary art museum.
If you’re planning a Nottingham photoshoot, this is a great area to scout photo locations in Nottingham.
Wollaton Hall
Wollaton Hall
Famous for being Wayne Manor in the Batman Dark Knight Rises, this stunning Elizabethan Hall is a stunning photo spot in Nottingham for Instagrammable pictures and within easy distance from the city centre with just a bus journey.
The Hall is perched at the top of a long, grassy hill lined with trees and the surrounding Wollaton Park grounds are full of beautiful walks and deer - also great for nature photography opportunities in Nottingham!
Bestwood Country Park
The Bestwood Park gatehouse
Around 20 minutes from Nottingham city centre, this lesser-known park is a huge 650-acre area of woodland, grassland and is also home to the old Bestwood Engine House which can now be visited on a guided tour.
Within the park is also the historic gatehouse, called Alexandra Lodge, which you can find on the eastern entrance and pathway in the park.
Its timber frame and red brick make it a completely unique and off the beaten track destination. It’s one of my favourite Instagram spots Nottingham has to offer.
Newstead Abbey
Newstead Abbey
Newstead Abbey is famous as the former home of romantic poet Lord Byron. Being over 800 years old, the Abbey has withstood civil wars, the Dissolution, world wars, fires and earthquakes.
Its stunning facade, gardens and interiors are absolutely beautiful and a great Instagrammable place in Nottinghamshire to visit.
Don’t miss the Japanese Garden, rose garden and cloisters, plus the waterfall and view across the lake of the abbey.
Budby - the pink village
Pink house in Budby
Budby is a village in Nottinghamshire, around 40 minutes from the city centre and it’s very little known. But the entire village is painted pink.
Traditionally part of the Thoresby Estate, the village houses where estate workers lived were found to have been lime-washed with this additional pinkish pigment in the wash. Although no longer home to estate workers, the houses are listed and the pink colour has been restored to protect the history of the village.
If you’re a fan of unique villages and architecture in the UK, definitely make a stop here, perhaps on your way to Clumber Park, a beautiful outdoor area just a little further up the A614.
Clumber Park
Cedar Tree Avenue at Clumber Park
Speaking of Budby, if you’re in the area of north Nottingham, don’t miss the beautiful grounds of Clumber Park.
Here you can take a walk around the lake and also snap a photo or two at the famous stone bridge, the chapel and also the beautiful Cedar Tree Avenue which leads to the Kitchen Gardens.
Holme Pierrepont Hall and Gardens
Holme Pierrepont Hall is just outside of Nottingham, a medieval manor house that’s Grade I listed. With a beautiful garden, house and church right next door.
The beautifully cultivated gardens are perfect photo locations in the spring and summer and the woods behind the house are full of snowdrops in the spring if you’re looking for florals and snowdrops in Nottingham to shoot.
Nottingham Christmas Market
Annual Nottingham Christmas Market
A very seasonal photo opportunity, but the annual Christmas Market in the Old Market Square is one of the best Instagram spots Nottingham offers during the festive period.
Don’t miss the classic Christmas market, the mountain ski-chalet style bar and the ice rink - all are perfect photo locations in Nottingham to add a little festive Christmas cheer to your Instagram feed.
Hopefully this guide helps you discover some of the best photo spots in Nottingham and the most Instagrammable places in Nottingham, to add a bit of something different to your Instagram feed!
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