It's like stepping back in time. The olde worlde buildings look like the Shambles in York and the Tudor architecture in Chester. But the quaint cobbled courtyard, festooned with Christmas decorations, is located in Bulwell.
Shopkeepers there describe it as a hidden gem since people who have lived there all their life don't know of its existence. Even though the entrance is right off Main Street - opposite Wilko and next to the market stalls - passers-by somehow manage to overlook it.
Banks Yard and Tudor Court are home to local independent businesses including a beauty salon, cobblers, a cafe, a baby shop and a tattoo studio.
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Helen Smith has worked at Essence of Beauty since it was opened by her mum 21 years ago and she took it over around six years ago. The beauty salon, with its Georgian style bay window, and yellow front door, is one of the first visitors will see as they enter the courtyard as they walk through the decorative green metal gates.
Helen said: "This was the very first beauty salon in Bulwell. I like the quaintness of the area. It's like being in a different world with the nice little cobbled streets and the community feel as well.
"Sometimes it doesn't feel like we're in the centre of Bulwell when we're up the little alleyway - it's a lovely little area. It looks beautiful at Christmas - we all make an effort," added Helen, who last year won a competition for the best dressed shop window in the town.
"Everyone is very welcoming to each other and supportive of each other in business. We work together as a community to do special events at certain times of the year. We're all small independent businesses and we support each other.
"I use the coffee shop for my lunch rather than going to the chain stores and they come in to me as well. It's nice we can all work together and support each other especially at the times we're in at the moment."
Helen is surprised by how many people aren't aware of the quirky little area. "It's amazing how many times a client comes in for the first time and asks how long have we been here and when you tell them they're quite surprised that they didn't realise there was a little courtyard with all the nice shops in.
"I think people have blinkers on and tunnel vision and when they're heading somewhere they don't pay attention to the surrounding areas. Unless you look at the boards at the bottom of the walkway they think they're just flats at the back of the main buildings on the front. It would be nice to see more clients walk up this way."
Even though the shops have Tudor-style pitched gable roofs and black and white decorative timbering, it's not original 16th architecture. Instead the 20th century buildings were given an overhaul to make them more attractive. However, there's still history attached to the courtyard, where horses used to be kept.
Kelly Wallace has run The Coffee Shop for four years with her wife Michelle but the business has been there for around 30 years. It's the kind of cheap and cheerful cafe people appreciate when there's a cost of living crisis, with a cup of tea costing just £1.
However, while the shops have character, the downside is they miss out on passing trade. "It's just so quaint," said Kelly. "But on a typical high street you do get the footfall.
"Due to Covid it's been a lot quieter. It has been a struggle and can still be a struggle but we keep saying we are still here.
"There used to be old stables here years and years ago. People in Bulwell come up and say 'I've lived in Bulwell all my life and didn't know you were here'."
Pensioner Ann Wilson, 78, is a regular at the cafe and said: "I come down every day for a cuppa and normally meet my friends and have a chat. I love it. It looks like something out of Charles Dickens. The buildings do look old even though they're not as old as they look. They always do it nice at Christmas."
While other businesses want it to be busier, Charity Muchina appreciates the peace and quiet. She has run a dressmaking and alternations shop from there for 11 years after falling in love with the property. She said: "It's quiet and it's really good for me when I'm sewing. Concentration is important. If I'm in a busy place and there's a lot going on you can't concentrate."
Shopkeepers in Tudor Court have really gone to town with Christmas decorations - not just a tree but a inflatable snowman and Santa, buildings festooned with garlands, a light-up reindeer and snow-covered windows for a full-blown winter wonderland atmosphere. And it's set to get even more festive on December 19 when Stephen O'Neill transforms his tattoo studio into Santa's grotto for the day.
"If this is a success, we want to make it bigger every year. There will be something for everyone," said Stephen, whose business O'Neill's Tattoo Studio has been there six years.
Another shop in Tudor Court, Kidz World Baby Shop, has been there for years but it has been run by Jason Whalley for the last 11, selling new and second hand prams and nursery equipment.
"What appeals is the buildings. There's hidden gems in the alleyways. People don't realise. There's a lovely cafe, there's a tattoo place, a repairs lady, there's seven or eight businesses up here. What we are trying to do is get people up here and let them know this is another part of Bulwell.
"We're had customers come up that have been living in Bulwell for ten years and they don't even know we existed. Hopefully the grotto will get people up here and put smiles on people's faces.
"We are trying to promote the place. The buildings are what we like. They are not as old as they appear. As far as I know from the landlord they have been redone in the 70s I think, so they look Tudor style."
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