“Left Lion?” is the popular expression you’ll hear in Nottingham.
It refers to a location on Nottingham’s Market Square where people meet each other – by the left-hand lion statue.
It’s a great place to meet because most places you need to get to are within easy reach of Nottingham’s city centre.
The University of Nottingham is within 4 miles of the city centre and there are many transport links that will get you there. In fact, it’s so close that you might even take yourself there on a bike or on foot!
So how do you get to Nottingham’s city centre from the University of Nottingham campus?
There’s a number of options you can take depending on your method of transport.
Some students will have access to a car. This is still the most convenient method of transport. There are a number of car parks within the city centre that you can choose from that accept online payments.
Going via the A6005 (average journey time: 15-20 mins)
> Head north-east on East Drive towards Portland Hill (0.4 miles)
> Follow the A6005 to Castle Bridge Road (1.1 miles)
> Then follow Castle Bridge Road to Queens Drive/A453 (0.6 miles)
> Continue on down Queens Drive/A453 then take London Road/A60 and Canal Street/A6008 to Middle Hill (1.3 miles)
> Continue on Middle Hill then take Fletcher Gate to St. Peter’s Gate (0.5 miles)
Going via Queens Drive/A453 (average journey time: 15-20 mins)
> Head north-east on East Drive towards Portland Hill (0.4 miles)
> Take Clifton Boulevard/A52 and Queens Drive/A453 to Middle Hill (3.8 miles)
> Continue on Middle Hill then take Fletcher Gate to St. Peter’s Gate (0.5 miles)
Going via Clifton Boulevard/A52 and Loughborough Road/A60 (average journey time: 20-25 mins)
> Head north-east on East Drive towards Portland Hill (0.4 miles)
> Take Clifton Boulevard/A52 then Loughborough Road/A60 and London Road to Middle Hill (6.6 miles)
> Continue on Middle Hill then take Fletcher Gate to St. Peter’s Gate (0.5 miles)
Undergraduate students outside Rock City, Nottingham City Centre - November 2021.Undergraduate students standing in front of the Nottingham Council House lions in Nottingham City Centre - November 2021.Mariam Abedraba Abdalla (pink hat); Daniel Kasasa; Shannon Valley; Bolusefe Akande; Jane Israel, Lily pearce, Dominic Beale; Luca Ion; Fearne Darbyshire; Sophie Kucharska Gibson (pink jumper) and Sarah Andraous (black jacket).
Nottingham runs an award-winning public transport system. It’s fast, friendly and incredibly efficient. Travel passes are available and will include use of the trams too.
Take the Indigo / Skylink – runs every 21 mins (average journey time: 20-25 mins)
> Walk from the campus to the South Entrance Stop UN04 (0.4 miles)
> Take the Skylink and get off after 11 stops (Stop ID: ntmadtjd)
> Walk from Friar Lane (Stop F1) to the square (0.2 miles)
Take Bus No.18 – runs every 30 mins (average journey time: 20-25 mins)
> Walk from the campus to the South Entrance Stop UN04 (0.4 miles)
> Take Bus No.18 and get off after 15 stops (Stop ID: ntmadtjd)
> Walk from Beastmarket Hill (Stop B1) to the square (0.1 miles)
Take Bus i4 – runs every 10 mins (average journey time: 25-30 mins)
> Walk from the campus to the Lenton Hall Stop UN13 (0.6 miles)
> Take Bus No.i4 and get off after 14 stops (Stop ID: ntmadawt)
> Walk from Friar Lane (Stop F3) to the square (0.1 miles)
Undergraduate students waiting for a tram in the Old Market Square, Nottingham City Centre - November 2021.Lily Pearce (braids); Emily Hay (orange hoodie) and Fearne Darbyshire (curly blonde hair).
Take the Tram towards Hucknall – runs every 10 mins (average journey time: 25-30 mins)
> Walk from the campus to the University of Nottingham tram stop (0.4 miles)
> Take the Tram and get off after 7 stops at the Old Market Square (Stop ID: ntmwtmtm).
Going via Castle Boulevard – 2.8 miles (average journey time: 15-20 mins)
> Head south-east and turn left onto East Drive
> Turn left onto Science Road
> Turn right onto Clifton Boulevard/A52
> Take the exit on the right towards Clifton Boulevard
> Merge onto Clifton Boulevard
> Once you reach the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Abbey Street (National Cycle Route 6/A6005 - continue to follow this until:
> The next roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Castle Boulevard/A6005 and follow this and:
> Turn left onto Maid Marian Way
> Turn right onto Friar Lane
> Turn left onto Beastmarket Hill and then
> Right onto Long Row W
Undergraduate students socialising around Hockley, Nottingham City Centre - November 2021.Sophie Kucharska Gibson (pink jumper); Bolusefe Akande (sunflower hat); Fearne Darbyshire (curly blonde hair) and Sarah Andraous (black jacket).
Going via Castle Boulevard – 2.6 miles (average journey time: 60 mins)
> Walk northwards toward Portland Hill
> Turn left onto Portland Hill
> Turn right and slight a right onto Cripps Hill
> Turn left and then right onto Clifton Boulevard then
> When you reach the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Derby Road/A6200
> Slight a right to remain on Derby Road/A6200 and follow until
> You reach the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Upper Parliament Street/A6008
> Then turn right onto Chapel Bar and
> Follow Chapel Bar as it bends left and turns into Angel Row/Long Row W
> Then follow Long Row W to the centre
Cycling and walking times will vary depending on how you navigate the journey (and how many miles to the gallon your legs are capable of!)
Also, real-world conditions and disruptions will factor in – usually at the most inconvenient of times! Having a list of alternative travel options and routes will always come in handy when you’re on the move.
The University of Nottingham operates a free hopper bus that will allow you to travel between campuses.
