Discover Nottingham
64 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Attenborough Nature Reserve
A premier wetland site in Nottinghamshire, offering exceptional opportunities for bird photography. The reserve's varied habitats attract a wide range of species, including kingfishers, bitterns, and birds of prey like the Common Buzzard.
Trinity Square Car Park
This multi-story car park in Nottingham is a prime location for automotive photography, offering a gritty industrial aesthetic with repeating concrete pillars and dramatic overhead fluorescent lighting that creates a moody atmosphere.
Fletcher Gate Rooftop Car Park
This elevated parking deck provides a clean, industrial backdrop with expansive views of the Nottingham skyline. It is a premier spot for automotive photography, offering unobstructed light and leading lines from the pavement markings.
The Castle Pub
Located directly across from Nottingham Castle, this historic pub offers a quintessential British street scene. The warm glow from the windows against the dark brickwork creates a moody, inviting atmosphere perfect for night photography and urban storytelling.
Nottingham Brutalist High-Rises
A striking example of mid-century Brutalist architecture in Nottingham. This location offers photographers a chance to capture repetitive geometric patterns, stark concrete textures, and the imposing verticality of urban social housing against the sky.
Lenton Arched Passageway
A moody, brick-vaulted tunnel in Nottingham's Lenton district. This historic passageway provides a perfect frame for street photography, utilizing high-contrast lighting and strong geometric leading lines to draw the eye through the space.
Highfields Park Garden
A tranquil green space in Nottingham ideal for macro photography. The gardens feature a variety of wildflowers like these daisies, offering great opportunities to practice depth-of-field techniques against natural backgrounds.
Lace Market Window Reflections
The historic Lace Market district in Nottingham offers a wealth of textures, from red-brick industrial architecture to weathered shopfronts. This spot is ideal for creative street photography, utilizing glass reflections to layer modern city life over historical facades.
Nottingham Garden Event Space
This outdoor event space in Nottingham provides a natural, wooded setting ideal for large group portraits. The dense network of bare branches offers a complex, organic texture that serves as a neutral backdrop for formal events.
Trinity Square
Trinity Square is a modern mixed-use plaza in Nottingham city centre with glass-fronted retail facades, geometric walkways, fountains and nearby historic backdrops (Old Market Square, Council House). Best for architectural and urban street shots at golden hour or blue hour when glass and water reflect warm light. Weekday mornings are quieter; evenings show lively pedestrian activity and seasonal decorations. Easily accessible on foot or public transport; paid parking and NCPs nearby. No entryfee
Moor bridge nature reserve
Small wetland reserve with reedbeds, meandering streams and scattered trees — excellent for birdlife, reflections and intimate nature compositions. Visit at dawn or golden hour for soft light and active birds; late autumn and spring migration offer most species. Reserve is publicly accessible with informal parking nearby and flat paths/boardwalks; no entry fee but expect muddy sections and occasional dog-walkers.
Wollaton Hall, Gardens and Deer Park
Elizabethan mansion set in rolling deer park with formal gardens, ornamental lake and woodland — ideal for grand architectural shots, seasonal gardens, deer portraits and reflective waterscapes. Best at golden hour for warm stone tones and long shadows; blue hour for illuminated façades. Weekday mornings offer fewer visitors; parkland is free but hall and museum have entry fees and limited opening hours. Ample parking on-site; paths are mostly accessible but muddy after rain.
Bulwell Hall Park
Small urban park with an ornamental lake, mature trees and winding paths — good for tranquil landscapes, seasonal colour and local wildlife. Best at golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for warm light on water; spring and autumn offer strongest foliage. Free entry, level paths make it accessible; limited street or nearby car-park parking. Weekday mornings are quiet; occasional community events bring character.
Eastcote Avenue Public Open Space
Small suburban green space with mature trees, lawns and pathways — good for intimate landscape, seasonal foliage and community-street scenes. Visit at golden hour or after rain for saturated colors. Easily accessible from Eastcote Ave; on-street parking and no entry fees. Weekday mornings are quiet; paths are flat and stroller-friendly.
Vernon Park
A compact neighbourhood green with mature trees, winding paths and open lawns — good for intimate landscape and urban-park scenes, seasonal foliage and candid community shots. Best light is golden hour (sunrise or late afternoon) for warm tones through the canopy. Easily reached on Vernon Rd with street parking; paths are flat and wheelchair-friendly. No entry fee; weekdays are quieter. Pack a polariser for wet grass/leaf reflections after rain.
Bilborough Park
Small urban green space with lawns, tree-lined paths, sports pitches and a community play area—good for intimate landscape studies, seasonal foliage, and environmental portraits. Best at golden hour or after rain for richer colors and reflections. Easily accessible with free public entry, on-street parking and nearby bus routes; no permits required. Weekdays and early mornings are quieter; autumn and spring offer strongest color and texture.
City of Caves
Carved sandstone tunnels, vaulted chambers and narrow stairways beneath Garner's Hill offer atmospheric textures, dramatic arches and historical displays (medieval dwellings, WWII shelters). Interiors are low-light; golden hour works for exterior approaches and Old Market Square views. Guided tours run on set times—book ahead. Access involves steep steps and uneven floors; parking nearby in NG1/Broadmarsh car parks. Weekdays and morning tours are quieter.
Nottingham Beeston Canal (Art
A quiet stretch of the Beeston Canal with moored narrowboats, brick bridges, tree-lined towpaths and industrial-to-residential backdrops. Great for reflections, leading-line compositions and intimate urban-waterscape scenes. Visit at sunrise or golden hour for warm side-light and glassy water; misty autumn mornings give atmospheric shots. Towpath is flat and easy to walk; street parking near 22 London Rd and local tram/routes make access simple. No entry fee; expect more walkers and cyclists at/
Bramcote Old Church Tower
A solitary medieval stone tower set in a small churchyard — great for moody architectural and historical studies. Photograph weathered masonry, gothic openings and surrounding trees; seasons change the mood (bare branches in winter, lush greens in summer). Best at golden hour or blue hour for directional light and dramatic skies. Small layby parking on Town St; grounds are publicly accessible but expect no interior access. Weekdays and early mornings reduce local foot traffic.
Cliff of Nottingham Castle
Dramatic sandstone cliff beneath Nottingham Castle offers sweeping vistas over the city and skyline with historic battlements as foreground interest. Shoot sunrise/sunset for warm side-lighting and long shadows; weekday mornings are quieter. Access via Peveril Drive with nearby street parking and paid entry for the museum/castle grounds; cliff viewpoint is typically accessible but paths are steep and uneven. Weather can be changeable—clouds add mood; the cliff’s texture and city layers make it a
Quarry Holes Nature Reserve
Small urban nature reserve with quarry ponds, reedbeds and mixed woodland offering close-up bird and insect life, reflective waterscapes and seasonal colour. Best at golden hour or dawn for mist and low light, or late spring for breeding birds and wildflowers. Paths are mostly compacted dirt—some uneven sections—entry is free from Tilbury Rise; limited roadside parking nearby. Quiet local spot popular with birdwatchers; bring waterproof footwear after rain.
Stonepit Plantation Nature Reserve
Small mixed-woodland reserve with ponds, reed beds and winding paths — good for intimate landscape scenes, water reflections, seasonal wildflowers and local birds. Visit spring for blossoms and migrant warblers, autumn for warm colours and misty mornings; dawn/dusk give best light and quieter conditions. Easily reached from NG8, informal footpaths and likely limited parking nearby; free entry, no formal facilities. Handy for short walks and handheld/telephoto birding sessions.
Highfields Park
Ornamental lake, classic boathouse, tree-lined avenues and islands at Highfields Park offer reflective waterscapes, seasonal colour (spring bulbs, autumn foliage) and intimate nature shots close to Nottingham Uni. Easy access on foot or by car, free entry, nearby parking on University Blvd; best at sunrise/sunset and weekday mornings to avoid students and dog-walkers. Paths are wheelchair-friendly; expect ducks, occasional events and changing light over the water.
Curious brick tower
A distinctive brick tower on the Promenade offering strong geometric textures, repeating brick patterns and a vertical silhouette against sky—ideal for architectural detail and moody cityscapes. Best at golden hour for warm highlights on the brick, blue hour or after dark if the tower is lit for contrast. Easy street-level access from 30 Promenade; nearby on-street parking and public transport into Nottingham. No special entry required for exterior shots; be mindful of pedestrians and private‑on
Bulwell Bogs
Bulwell Bogs is a compact wetland reserve with reedbeds, pools, boardwalks and mature trees — great for intimate nature and waterscape shots, birdlife, reflections and seasonal colours. Visit at sunrise or misty mornings for soft light and atmospheric reflections; spring and autumn offer migrant and resident birds plus colourful foliage. Easily reached from Bulwell (bus/train); roadside parking nearby and no entry fee. Paths and boardwalks can be muddy or uneven — waterproof boots recommended.
Nottingham Castle
Nottingham Castle sits on a sandstone outcrop above the city—photo opportunities range from dramatic façades, ruined castle rock and panoramic city views to interiors and museum exhibits. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm light over the city and illuminated façades. Weekday mornings are quieter; check museum opening times and ticketing (entry fees apply for museum/galleries). Limited on-site parking—use nearby city car parks; paths can be steep and uneven so bring sturdy shoes. Respect '
Field of horses
Open pasture beside the A612 featuring grazing horses — strong subjects for natural portraiture, action and pastoral landscapes. Best at golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for warm rim-light and long shadows. Easily reached by road with roadside laybys and limited informal parking; respect private land and keep distance from animals. Weekday mornings are quieter; check weather for dramatic skies.
The Museum Of Curiosities
Small, theatrical museum of Victorian oddities and taxidermy — shoot close-up textures (specimens, labels, glass jars) and moody wide shots of the dim, cabinet-filled rooms. Best on weekday mornings for fewer visitors; late afternoon/golden hour for warm light on the red-brick façade. Interiors are dark and intimate; check photo/flash policy on entry. Located on Derby Rd near city-centre car parks and public transport; expect narrow staircases and limited accessibility.
Woodthorpe Grange Park
Victorian estate with formal gardens, woodland trails, a small pond and a historic manor — great for seasonal colour, intimate landscapes and architectural details. Best at golden hour or after rain for saturated foliage; autumn and spring are prime. Free entry, on-site parking and step-free paths make most areas accessible; weekdays and early mornings avoid families and dog walkers. No permit required for casual photography.
National Justice Museum
Historic courthouse and courtroom reconstructions offering dramatic interiors, period props and a striking Georgian façade. Photograph courtroom scenes, timber galleries, judge’s bench and atmospheric cells; the exterior benefits from soft golden-hour light. Visit weekday mornings or late afternoons for smaller groups. Check museum photo policy (flash/tripod restrictions) and book timed tickets. Central location with limited on-site parking—use nearby public car parks or public transport (tram/b
Robin Hood Statue
Bronze Robin Hood statue on Castle Road, a dramatic focal point framed by Nottingham Castle and the city skyline. Photograph close-up textures of the sculpture, low-angle heroic silhouettes, and wider compositions that include the castle, street activity and seasonal foliage. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm or dramatic lighting; weekday mornings are least crowded. Easily accessible from Castle Road with nearby public parking and walkways; no entry fee. Expect tourists and occasional re
Clifton Woods Local Nature Reserve
Small mixed-woodland reserve with winding paths, open meadow edges and a brook—good for intimate woodland scenes, seasonal colour (spring bluebells, autumn foliage) and birdlife. Easy public access from Burrows Farm with a small car park; no entry fee. Best light is golden hour for warm understory tones and low sun shafts; spring mornings for blooms and quieter paths. Trails can be muddy—wear boots; most viewpoints are ground-level, wheelchair access limited.
Museum of Nottingham Life
Small social-history museum in Brewhouse Yard with reconstructed Victorian streets, shopfronts and wartime exhibits — great for detailed interiors, period textures and candid street-style portraits. Visit weekdays or off-peak hours for fewer visitors; natural light filters through high windows in late morning/afternoon. Central location with limited on-site parking; reachable by bus and on foot from Nottingham city centre. Check entry fees and photo policy (flash/tripods often restricted).
Greenway
Greenway in Old Basford is a flat urban green corridor with towpaths, small waterways, reed beds and industrial-era bridges — great for intimate landscapes, reflections, seasonal colours and local wildlife. Best at golden hour or after rain for reflections; autumn offers vivid foliage, winter mists dramatic low-contrast scenes. Easily accessible on foot or by bike; no entry fee. Street parking and local bus routes nearby; paths are firm and wheelchair-friendly in places. Weekdays and early-morn/
Phoenix Park Hill
Small urban hilltop park offering raised views over Nottingham suburbs, mixed woodland, open lawns and a skate area. Good for landscape and sunset compositions, seasonal colour in autumn, and intimate nature scenes. Easy access from NG6; roadside parking and short walks from local stops. Visit at golden hour or after rain for saturated colours; weekends can be busy with families.
Harrison's Plantation Nature Reserve
Small mixed-woodland reserve with ponds, reedbeds and meadow edges — great for intimate landscape scenes, seasonal colour (spring wildflowers, autumn foliage), and birdlife. Trails are compact and mostly flat; informal parking on Lambourne Dr. No entry fee; best light at sunrise/sunset and early morning for mist and active wildlife. Visit weekdays or early to avoid dog-walkers; dress for muddy paths and bring insect repellent in summer.
Lincoln Street Water Meadows
Low-lying water meadows with braided streams, willow scrub and grazing fields — ideal for pastoral landscapes, reflections, seasonal colours and birdlife. Best at sunrise/sunset or misty mornings for soft light and reflections. Easily reached on foot from Old Basford; no entry fee. Modest roadside parking and public footpaths; flat, easy walking but wear boots in wet seasons. Spring brings wildflowers and nesting birds; autumn yields warm tones and migrating waterfowl.
Valley Road Park
Small neighbourhood green space with lawns, mature trees and paved paths — good for intimate landscape scenes, seasonal colour (autumn leaves, spring blossoms), informal portraits and local wildlife. No entry fee; accessible on foot or by local bus, limited roadside parking. Best at golden hour and early weekday mornings for soft light and fewer people. Paths are mostly flat and suitable for tripod and wheelchair access.
Martin's Pond
Small, tranquil pond in Wollaton with tree-lined shores, waterfowl and clear reflections — great for intimate waterscape and wildlife shots. Visit at sunrise or golden hour for warm light and glassy reflections; misty mornings and winter bare trees add mood. Easily accessible on foot from Wollaton Park car parks; no entry fee. Paths are flat and suitable for tripod; expect more walkers at midday and weekends.
Southglade Park
Small urban park with open lawns, mature trees, wetland edges and a pond—good for seasonal landscapes, birdlife, reflections and intimate nature studies. Free entry, street parking and paved paths make it accessible; visit at golden hour or early weekday mornings for soft light and fewer people. Autumn and spring offer strongest colours and wildlife activity.
Toad Patrol Strelley
Seasonal amphibian crossing point where volunteers help common toads cross Main St during spring migration. Photograph close-up amphibian portraits, low-angle road compositions with volunteers silhouetted, and long-exposure light trails at dusk. Best visited on damp evenings after rain between Feb–Apr, at dusk/night for active toads. Site is roadside with limited parking on Main St; use visible clothing and obey volunteers. No entry fee; respect wildlife and local volunteers.
Breck’s Plantation
Small managed plantation with mature mixed woodland and winding tracks offering intimate landscape frames, close-up textures (bark, fungi, leaf litter) and seasonal colour in autumn. Best at golden hour or early misty mornings for soft light and low crowds. Easy public access from Clarewood Grove; limited roadside parking. No entry fee. Good for short walks rather than long hikes.
Ashton Park
Ashton Park is a community green space with tree-lined paths, a small pond, open lawns and sports facilities. Ideal for intimate landscape, seasonal foliage and pond reflections. Best light is early morning or late afternoon; weekdays are quieter. Street parking and pedestrian access from Snape Wood Rd; no entry fee.
King's Meadow Nature Reserve
Small riverside meadow and floodplain with wildflower patches, willows and walking paths — good for intimate landscape, seasonal flora and birdlife close to Nottingham city. Best in spring for blooms and chiffchaffs, late summer for seedheads, and autumn for warm light. Visit at sunrise or golden hour to catch soft light on grasses; weekday mornings have few people. Easy walk-in access from Queens Drive and nearby cycle routes; no formal entry fee, limited informal parking nearby. Paths are flat
RedKangaroo Trampoline Park Nottingham
Indoor action venue for dynamic sports and portrait shots: leaping kids, mid-air tricks, foam pits and neon-lit trampoline zones. Best visited on weekday mornings or off-peak sessions to avoid crowds. Artificial lighting means constant conditions but fast motion—book entry, check parental consent rules, and use on-site parking at Dabell Ave. Ask staff permission for staged shoots.
Queen's Walk Play Park
Small riverside play park with colourful playground equipment, mature trees and views along the River Leen/nearby Trent paths. Good for environmental portraits, candid family scenes, texture and color studies, and low-key urban-nature compositions. Free entry, accessible on foot or by local bus; limited roadside parking nearby. Best at golden hour or overcast afternoons for soft light; weekday mornings quieter. Respect families and children — ask permission before photographing.
Hazel Hill crescent Open Space
Small neighborhood green on a raised crescent with grassy slopes, mature trees and local housing backdrops. Good for intimate landscape and seasonal nature shots, low horizons for sunset skies, and environmental portraiture. Easily reachable on foot or by local bus; street parking nearby. Best light at golden hour; quieter weekdays. No entry fees or restrictions.
Reindeer
A traditional roadside pub on the A60 offering characterful brick façade, vintage signage and lively interior scenes. Shoot exterior evening neon and wet-road reflections, candid pub interiors and detail shots of woodwork and beer taps. Best visited late afternoon into evening for warm golden-hour light turning to atmospheric low-light scenes; weekday afternoons are quieter. On-street parking nearby; check opening hours and ask staff permission for staged interior or close-up shots. Accessible;
Stirling Grove Park
Small neighborhood park with tree-lined paths, lawns and seasonal plantings—good for intimate landscape and nature studies, especially autumn color and soft golden-hour light. Easy access from Stirling Grove; free entry and on-street parking. Visit early weekdays for empty paths and crisp morning light. Weather: sheltered but exposed to wind; check forecasts for seasonal interest.
Chinese Bell Tower
A small, ornate Chinese-style bell tower set within Nottingham's Arboretum and visible from Mansfield Grove. Photograph its carved rooflines, painted details and surrounding trees for strong cultural contrast against Victorian parkland. Public, no entry fee; easiest access by foot or short street parking on Mansfield Road. Best light at golden hour or soft overcast for detail; weekdays and early mornings reduce visitors. Paths and gentle steps make it easily accessible.
Goldcrest Road Open Space
A small suburban open space with mown grass, hedgerows, mature trees and seasonal wildflower patches — good for intimate landscapes, bird and insect close-ups, and moody skies. Easily accessible on foot or by street parking at Goldcrest Rd; no entry fees. Best: golden hour for warm light, spring–summer for flowers and nesting birds, autumn for color. Flat paths make handheld shooting easy; expect local dog walkers and occasional cyclists.
Little Red Train (Green Train) repainted
A small repainted childhood-style 'Little Red' (now green) train set beside Woodthorpe Drive — colorful subject for close-ups, environmental portraits, and community-documentary shots. Best at golden hour or overcast skies to enhance saturated paint; evenings for moody low light. Easy roadside access with on-street parking; no entry fee. Weekday mornings are quieter. A local, grassroots landmark good for color studies and storytelling about neighborhood public art.
Woodfield Park
A small suburban green space of lawns, mature trees, winding paths and scrubland — good for intimate landscape, seasonal color and quiet nature shots. Best at golden hour and after rain (rich greens, reflections). Easily accessible from Woodfield Rd with on-street parking; free entry and no permits. Weekday mornings are quieter; autumn and spring offer strongest color and wildlife activity.
Tintin Mural
Large, colorful Tintin comic mural on Station Street beside Nottingham station — ideal for bold street and urban shots that showcase scale, pop color and local culture. Easy, free access at pavement level; reachable from the station. Best at morning or late-afternoon light to avoid harsh shadows; weekdays are less busy. Nearby on-street parking and NCP lots; no entry fee. Great for editorial portraits, wide environmental frames and detail close-ups of painted texture.
Catstone Hill Reservoir
Small hilltop reservoir with open moorland and sweeping views over Nottinghamshire — great for wide panoramas, reflective water foregrounds, and dramatic skies at golden hour. Easy to reach from nearby lanes with informal parking; paths are grassy/uneven so wear boots. No entry fee; popular with local walkers so weekdays or early mornings are quieter. Best light at sunrise and sunset when low sun sculpts the surrounding contours and creates reflections on the water.
Green's Windmill and Science Centre
A restored 19th-century tower mill with working sails and historic milling machinery — great for architectural detail, motion shots of turning sails, and intimate interiors showing gears and textures. Best at golden hour for warm light on brickwork; sunset can silhouette sails. Weekday mornings or museum-opening times reduce crowds. Located in Sneinton with limited on-site parking; accessible by Nottingham tram/bus. Entry fee applies for interior/machine access; check opening days. Some stairs/n
Arboretum
Historic Victorian arboretum with mature specimen trees, lakes, winding paths and a bandstand — excellent for intimate nature studies, seasonal color and reflected waterscapes. Best at golden hour or autumn for foliage; weekday mornings reduce dog-walkers. Easy access from Waverley St, limited on-street parking and public transport; free entry.