Visiting Nottingham for a Game?

The main gateway for Nottingham is Birmingham Airport (BHX), located roughly 49 miles away by road. From the terminal, a free automated people mover called the Air-Rail Link whisks you across to Birmingham International railway station in about 90 seconds. From there, Cross Country operates direct services to Nottingham Station — no change required on most departures — with the full journey from the airport taking around 1 hour 35 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes and fares starting from around £10 booked in advance. If a connection via Birmingham New Street is needed on less frequent services, total journey time can edge closer to 2 hours. National Express also runs a direct coach from BHX's bus terminal to Nottingham's Broad Marsh Bus Station in approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, with budget fares as low as £6–9 if booked ahead.

Nottingham has a solid city-centre tram network called NET (Nottingham Express Transit) that connects the train station to key city districts and is useful for getting around between your hotel and the city core. A car is not necessary for match day, as City Ground is walkable from the city centre across the River Trent or easily reached by a short taxi or rideshare ride. Uber operates in Nottingham, and local taxis are widely available, making post-match travel back to the city centre straightforward.

The city centre, particularly the Lace Market and Hockley neighbourhoods, is the best base for visiting sports fans, offering easy tram access, lively bars and restaurants, and a manageable walk or quick taxi ride to City Ground across the river. West Bridgford, the suburb directly south of the stadium on the opposite bank of the Trent, is a quieter alternative that puts you closest to the ground and is popular with fans arriving by car. Budget hotels in the city centre (Ibis, Travelodge) run roughly £60-£100 per night, while four-star options like the Leonardo Hotel or Mercure City Centre typically fall in the £120-£180 range. Book well ahead for Forest home fixtures, especially weekend Premier League matches, as prices climb quickly and availability tightens.

Nottingham is one of English football's most historically rich cities, home to Nottingham Forest, a club that won back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough and has returned to the Premier League. City Ground sits just 300 yards from Meadow Lane, home of Notts County (one of the world's oldest professional clubs), meaning a single trip to Nottingham can cover two different grounds in one visit. The city also hosts Trent Bridge, one of England's most celebrated cricket grounds and a regular Test match venue, which sits immediately adjacent to City Ground on the south bank of the Trent. The Forest vs. Derby County rivalry (the East Midlands derby) is one of the most intense in the Championship and Premier League, so check the fixture calendar if you want to catch a particularly charged atmosphere.