Nottingham Beach is back with fun for all the family. Now school's out for summer hundreds of people are flocking there for some inland seaside fun in Old Market Square.
The free sandy beach and paddling pool make it a cheap way of keeping the kids entertained this summer especially for families feeling pinch. But visitors need to be prepared for all the temptations that could seduce them to part with their cash.
It's three years since the beach was last in Slab Square due to the pandemic so this year the organisers are hoping for a bumper crowd and a summer of fun. To help you budget here is the low-down on the cost of rides, food and drink stalls, slot machines and other attractions which include the UK's largest inflatable urban waterslide.
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The beach is open every day from 10am until September 4 and there's a whole host of entertainment too including live music, open mic nights and salsa classes.
James Mellors, operations director with the Mellors Group which stages the beach in conjunction with Nottingham City Council, said: "It's brilliant to be back. The sun is shining on us and it's one of the hottest summers on record so I think it's perfect timing to have the beach back.
"It does seem like a long time - the last full beach was 2019 so it's been three years. There is a good turnout and it's nice to see people digging away in the sand and children enjoying the water and plenty more people just having a gentle stroll and a drink in the beach bar and something to eat."
Here's what's at the beach this year and how much you can expect to pay:
Ice cream
What's a summer holiday without ice cream? And if money is tight it's one of the cheaper treats at the beach. A double whippy or a 99 is £2.50 or a tub is cheaper still at £2.
There's also scoops of flavoured ice cream at £3 a go that will help you cool down. Choose from banana, bubblegum, chocolate ripple, biscoff and triple strawberry. Or push the boat out with an ice cream sundae for a fiver.
Doughnuts
The smell of freshly made doughnuts is irresistible so don't be surprised to find yourself veering towards the Loaded Donuts van selling the delicious treats. Four sugar doughnuts will set you back £4.
Or if you fancy a pimped up version - doughnuts combined with your favourite chocolate bar - opt for Flake, Oreo, Crunchie, Milky Bar, and KitKat. Or how about M&M's Nutella and biscoff adorned rings. The decorated doughnuts are a fiver for a box of four.
If you're more waffles, get them loaded with chocolate toppings and cream for £5. Seller Sam Singleton is happy to see the beach return this year. She said: "It will get everyone’s spirits up. Not everyone can afford to go on holiday. Kids can play in the pool while their parents relax. I like to see people happy."
Slush
Cool down (or shut up) the kids by giving them an ice-cold Slush. Flavours include cola, apple, blue raspberry and strawberry. Then when they've finished they can spend the next five minutes comparing the colour of their red, blue and green tongues.
Well worth £2.50 for a small cup or if you want to spoil your little darlings it's £4 for a twisty reusable cup.
Crepes
Darling Crepes brings a petit French twist to the beach. The price is £5 for a crepe plus 50p per filling. Choose from a list which includes Kinder chocolate, caramel, peanut butter, bananas and biscoff.
Or check out the specials board, featuring a classic sugar and lemon and 'Go Crazy' which comes with marshmallows and Nutella. However, it's strawberries and Nutella that's the best-seller. Most crepes are sold during the evening, said assistant Jayde Ford, who makes it look so easy as she swirls the batter over the pancake maker.
Burgers
It's not all sweet, sugary snacks. There's some good old seaside junk food too at the wooden Grill House chalet. Quarter pounders, doubles and even XXL triple burgers are on the menu, priced from £4.50 to £7. If you want chips that's another £3.50,
A small hot dog will set you back £3.50, while a jumbo sausage with cheese is £5. The same stall sells hot drinks such as tea, coffee and bottles of soft drinks for £2.50. Meal deals are available for £4 on top of the burger price. Good news for coeliacs, they serve gluten-free cheesy chips.
Greek Gyros
Close your eyes and pretend you're in Mykonos. Easy isn't it? Well it is with authentic Greek wraps. Chicken, halloumi or feta is served on a warm flat bread with tzatziki and salad for £8.
A side of halloumi fries is £5, curly fries are £4 and skin on fries £3.50 all come with a dip. The stall is handily located just across the walkway from the Beach Bar.
Pick 'n' Mix
Back to the sweet stuff. If the kids haven't had enough sugar for the day, send them to the Sweet Shack stall with a couple of quid. Get them to fill a bag with gummy cherries, snakes, fizzy dummies, bubblegum bottles and fried eggs, priced £1.99 for 100g.
If you've forgotten to bring a bucket to the beach you can get one filled with candy floss or popcorn for £3. For more old-fashioned confectionary peanut brittle and nougat bars are £2.50, and a stick of holiday rock £3.
Filthy Vegan
Non-meat eaters can rely on the Filthy Vegan for some tasty tucker, served from the stall across from the sands. The famous Filthy Kebab served on a soft naan bread with salad, sriracha and vegan mayo is a filling feed for £8. They also serve a gluten-free version.
The Louisiana Chick'n burger is £8, the Moving Mountains hotdog £7.50 and skin-on fries £3.50. Vegan doughnuts and cakes are also on the menu, priced £3.50.
Beach Bar
The Beach Bar is decked out with tables and parasols and wooden swings (back off kids, these are for the adults) for relaxing with a drink in the sun. Draught beers and cider are on sale at £6 a pint (except Beavertown Neck Oil at £6.50) or £3.50 for half a pint. Bottled beer, such as Sol and Budweiser, is a fiver or a bucket of six bottles is £26.
Vodka, rum, gin, Jack Daniel's and brandy is £4.50 or doubles are £6.50, while Pimm's is £5. If wine is your tipple, glasses are £6.50 and £7.50 or it's £22 for a bottle. Soft drinks are £2 a half or £3 a pint.
You don't have to queue at the bar. Simply sit back and scan the QR code to order at your table.
Attractions
The big new attraction at this year's beach is the Slip 'n' Slide. The Arrow is the largest inflatable urban waterslide in the UK, at 55m long and 13m high, with two lanes where you can race against your friends. Little John is a 22m long and 7.5m high waterpark with six lanes of slides splashing in to a pool that can also be used for paddling.
It's the only attraction where you need to need to book in advance if you want to guarantee a specific time slot. It costs £12 for an hour's play (plus 78p booking fee). However, if you're a Nottingham city resident it's £10.
Tickets can be bought online at gigantic.com/nottingham-beach-tickets. The slide will be operating every day from 11am to 6pm. The slide can also be hired out for birthday parties for ten, 15 or 20 children with one hour's play and 45 minutes for buffet food and juice. Prices start at £209 (including booking fee).
Other rides and stalls:
Starflyer £4
Formula 1 car ride £3
Balloon ride £3
Bungee trampoline £5
Hook-a-duck £5 (prize every time)
Darts game £5 (prize every time)
Slot machines 10p a go
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