Meeting your friends at the left lion, trips to the shops in Victoria Centre at Christmas and posing with the Robin Hood statue. These are all part and parcel of living in the city during your formative years and exploring as you get older.
A lot has changed over the years and while some traditions are still going strong today, others have been consigned to Nottingham history. We've had a think back to our own childhoods to put together a list of some of our favourite memories. But we're keen to also hear from readers about their own personal favourite experiences. SO, for now here's five things you may have experienced if you grew up in Nottingham.
Trips to Broadmarsh - to see this chap
Broadmarsh used to be a staple to a visit to the city centre - how times change. The shopping centre is currently being demolished and the area is set to be completely redeveloped. If you're of a certain generation, you will remember the Broadmarsh monkey.
Charlie the Chimp, from Gordon Scott, was once one of city's most famous figures. However the shop, which later moved to Lister Gate, closed in 2017. Charlie was known for performing somersaults on a bar in the shop window - it's thought there were four or five different chimps in the Broadmarsh store since the start of the 1970s.
Having Center Parcs on your doorstep
Bike rides, the rapids, walks through the woods and brilliant meals out. Centerparcs at Sherwood Forest has always proved popular with Nottingham folk for obvious reasons. It's a great place to take the family and it's less than an hour's drive away - even nearer for some , depending what side of the city you live on.
Getting the train to Skegness
In Nottingham, we're very fortunate to have Skeg-Vegas and its beaches, ice creams and donkey rides a short journey away. Many people who grew up in the city should remember boarding the train for less than two hours on a hot summer day so you can spend it by the seaside rather than in the city.
Nottingham and Skegness will always be linked to one another as we love to flock in our thousands there when the weather improves. So whether it is Skegness, Ingoldmells, Mablethorpe or Sutton-on-Sea, the chances are you may have made the trip to the Lincolnshire coast in your childhood.
Goose Fair
Goose Fair is one of the largest travelling fairs in Europe and its history dates back 700 years. A trip to Goose Fair and a snack of mushy peas is about as Nottingham as you can get. The fair was cancelled last year due to the pandemic - but is set to make a triumphant return to the city in 2022. We can't wait.
Splashing around in Old Market Square
When you couldn't get to Skegness beach, but you still needed to cool off, the fountains in Old Market Square were a good alternative. Whether you were aged four or fourteen, you might have found yourself enjoying the sprinklers and fountains when the sun was shining in the city centre. Of course, you may have also regretted it when you had to then trudge round with soaking wet clothes afterwards.
What else do you remember about growing up in Nottingham? Let us know in the comments down below!
