Nottingham Pubs and Food Landmarks: Pints and Plates
Nottingham's drinking and eating landmarks sit close enough to string together on foot, though the two ends of the city pull in different directions. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, cut into the sandstone below the castle, draws the crowds with its rock rooms and cellars, while Canal House turns a converted warehouse into a pub with the water running through it and narrowboats moored inside.
Some stops reward a little planning. The Trip and The Bell Inn both take bookings, and Castle Rock Brewery is a working site where turning up unannounced may leave you outside a closed Gate; book a tour or come on a Wednesday for the Pilot Project beer launch. Others need none: Canal House is a walk-in for a pint and a look around, about 45 minutes, and The Cod's Scallops runs two branches doing different jobs — Wollaton has the wet fish counter and a licensed sit-down room, while Wilford Lane suits a quick takeaway box.
The Bell claims building parts from 1437, with two compact front bars that fill to standing room only at weekends; go midweek afternoon to see the landlords board and cellar caves. At the Salutation Inn, allow an hour over a pint and ask at the bar whether the rock-cut cellars can be seen, as access varies.
| Place | Time to allow | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem | about an hour | Brewhouse Yard, NG1 6AD |
| Canal House Nottingham | about 45 minutes for a drink | Canal Street |
| The Bell Inn, Nottingham | 45-60 minutes | Angel Row |
| The Cod's Scallops Nottingham | – | Wollaton and West Bridgford |
| Salutation Inn, Nottingham | 1 hour | Hounds Gate, NG1 7AA |
| Castle Rock Brewery, Nottingham | half a day | – |
Nottingham pub and food landmark guides
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem: Nottingham's Cave Pub Guide
Part cave, part ancient inn cut into the sandstone below Nottingham Castle, this pub earns an hour for its rock rooms and cellars rather than its menu. The 1189 founding date is tradition, not documented fact.
about an hour · Book ahead · Best for cave-visiting drinkers and history buffs
Canal House Nottingham: A Pub Built Over the Canal
A converted canal warehouse where the water actually runs through the pub, with narrowboats moored inside and a waterside terrace. Come for a pint and a look around; waterside tables go first on busy days.
about 45 minutes for a drink · Best for canal-side pints and pub classics
The Bell Inn, Nottingham: A Guide to the City's Oldest Pub
A Greene King house on Angel Row, The Bell claims building parts from 1437; its two compact front bars are the old heart, while weekends make standing room only. Go midweek afternoon to see the landlords board and cellar caves.
45-60 minutes · Book ahead · Best for ale drinkers and history-curious day-trippers
The Cod's Scallops Nottingham: Which Branch to Visit
A chippy group with two Nottingham branches doing different jobs: Wollaton has the wet fish counter, wider seafood menu and a licensed sit-down room, while Wilford Lane suits a quick takeaway box or an easy tram-side stop in the south.
Best for fish and chips lovers
Salutation Inn, Nottingham: A Guide to the Hounds Gate Pub
A working pub whose oldest parts are claimed to date from around 1240, with rock-cut cellars beneath. Allow an hour or so over a pint; ask at the bar whether the caves can be seen, as access varies.
1 hour · Book ahead · Best for pints in an old building
Castle Rock Brewery, Nottingham: Visiting the Brewery
A working brewery rather than a visitor attraction, so turning up unannounced may leave you outside a closed site. Book a tour or come on a Wednesday for the Pilot Project beer launch.
half a day · Book ahead · Best for beer and brewing enthusiasts
What to book before you set out
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, The Bell Inn and the Salutation Inn all recommend booking, which matters most at weekends when The Bell's compact front bars leave standing room only. Castle Rock Brewery is a working site rather than a visitor attraction, so book a tour or time your visit to a Wednesday for the Pilot Project beer launch. Canal House and The Cod's Scallops need no booking.
If you have one day in Nottingham
Start at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, cut into the sandstone below the castle, and give it about an hour for the rock rooms and cellars rather than the menu. Walk to Canal House for a canal-side pint, then take in The Bell's old front bars midweek afternoon if you can. Book the Trip and The Bell ahead, and leave Castle Rock Brewery for a booked tour.