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Car hire in Nottingham

Hiring a car in Nottingham

Nottingham - the birthplace of the legendary Robin Hood - is a vibrant and lively city that is steeped in a rich history that is just waiting to be explored. It is the largest area in the East Midlands and the second-largest in the Midlands overall.

You will find a balance of the modern, such as cutting-edge art performances and world-class sport, with the old, like stories of castles demolished by war and how the industrial revolution created a city. There are a great selection of shops, as well as traditional markets and fairs, and a buzzing nightlife that can be sampled in the bars and clubs of Nottingham.

Nottingham is fairly easy to navigate in the car and it’s to the M1, so it’s pretty easy to find. With plenty of parking available, it makes sense to use your hire vehicle to uncover all the city has to offer.

What you need to know

There’s plenty of choice when it comes to finding a hire car company that ticks all your boxes. Using our website means that you don’t have to waste your time trying to find the best deal, as we do the hard work for you. You just search for exactly what you’re looking for by setting a budget and the specifications of the car you want. We work with the best in the business with companies like Hertz, Europcar and Budget, and we offer 24/7 customer support. You won’t be charged credit card fees and you can benefit from a free cancellation policy, just in case your plans change.

Where to pick up your car

If you’re flying to Nottingham, you’ll land at the East Midlands Airport (EMA). Once you’ve collected your luggage, head to the arrivals area to find the car hire supplier desks. Booking beforehand means all you need to do is locate the company you’ve chosen, fill in a small amount of paperwork and then you’re handed the keys.

For those travelling to Nottingham via coach or train, there are a number of locations across the city where you can collect your car. Just figure out what best suits your needs and make a note of the location when you make your booking.

Best Car Hire Companies Nottingham

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Car Hire Reviews Nottingham

  • “The pick-up was easy, it took 5 minutes from arriving at the desk to driving out the car, and the return took even less time. Booking with Holiday Autos was easy and I received the car that I had asked for, just perfect!”
    Diane T

Where to go

As soon as the keys are in your hands, you can start to discover what makes Nottingham so special. You could head straight to one of the city's historical landmarks, such as Wollaton Hall and Park, or escape into nature at the Attenborough Nature Centre.

There is a wealth of things to see and do during your stay in Nottingham, it's just a case of deciding how to spend your time. You can stay in within the city limits or hit the open road and explore what's on offer in neighbouring towns and villages.

Nearby Nottingham

Nottingham is nestled in some beautiful surroundings, so it’s well worth seeing what’s just outside the city. If you take a drive on the M1 to Creswell Crag to see ancient artwork sketched into limestone walls. You can go deep into this network of caves and learn all about the history of the site from a local expert. After your exploration, you can take a lazy walk around the lake and gorge before heading to one of the local pubs.

You could also drive from the city to Gotham in around 20 minutes via Nottingham Road. This village - whose name is actually pronounced ‘Goat-em’, unlike Batman’s home town - has a fascinating past and a colourful history. It is said that the tales of the ‘Mad Men of Gotham’ and the ‘Wise Men of Gotham’ inspired DC comics to create the fictional Gotham City. There is even a sculpture of the caped crusader to remember the links between the village and Batman’s home.

Longer drives

Central England is teeming with spectacular views that can only properly be enjoyed on the road. Driving from Nottingham to its neighbours, such as Derby and Leicester, will provide you with picturesque scenery and tonnes of attractions to visit.

If you get onto the M1, you can be in Leicester in less than 50 minutes. From there, you can travel north-east on the pretty A607 to Melton Mowbray and immerse yourself in quintessentially English countryside. For those travelling with children, you should head to Twinlakes Park, which is filled with fun rides, including the 22 feet high Dragonfall Log Flume. Why not explore the food heritage of the town and visit Melton Carnegie Museum?

From Melton Mowbray, you can head north-west along the A606 to Holme Pierrepont, where you can test your mettle against white water rapids before heading north to Matlock to explore the idyllic High Peak Estate.

Top attractions in Nottingham

Nottingham is a diverse city that prides itself in the modern and historic attractions it offers. One trip is unlikely to be enough to uncover all that it has to offer, but hiring a car will help you to see more.

Things to do

You can’t go to Nottingham without delving into the tales of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men. Visitors can use the Sherwood Forest Adventurer’s Map to explore all of the landmarks associated with the legendary outlaw, as well as other notable attractions around the city. A local expert can take you on a guided tour where you can learn how a 700 year-old ballad grew into a tale of a man stealing from the rich to give to the poor. If you jump into the car and drive to Sherwood Forest, you can uncover beautiful woodlands and Robin Hood’s famous hideaway, the Major Oak.

Why not try your hand at archery or golf during your trip to Nottingham? There is a wealth of sporting activities for you to take part in, all you have to do is choose one.

Eating and drinking

Restaurants in Nottingham love using local produce to create delicious dishes, but there is also a growing group of international eateries springing up across the city. There are plenty of family-friendly venues that cater to the somewhat fussy palates of children and there are refined Michelin starred restaurants for those after something a little more sophisticated. You could also plan your trip to coincide with the food and drink celebrations that happen throughout the year, including the Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival.

Sightseeing

The Galleries of Justice Museum is well worth a visit, as there is no better way to delve into Nottingham’s grisly history of crime and punishment. You can put the whole family on trial in a Victorian court of law, before making your way down into the cells and dungeons that are hidden beneath the street.

Nottingham is home to more than 500 man-made caves that date back to medieval times. You can visit the City of Caves with an expert guide who will tell you how the cavities have been used over the years. This is definitely something that is unique to the city and the likes of which won’t be found anywhere else.

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