Timeline of Nottingham facts for kids

Nottingham is a historic city in England with a long and interesting past. This timeline will take you through some of the most important events that shaped Nottingham, from ancient times to the present day. You'll learn about its early settlements, the building of its famous castle, major historical moments, and how it grew into the city it is today.

Early History (Before 17th Century)

Nottingham's story began long before the Romans arrived. People lived here after the Ice Age, and tools and earthworks from the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age have been found.

• 410 – After the Romans left Britain, the area became part of the Brythonic Kingdom of Elmet.
• 530 – The low lands near the River Leen and River Trent experienced flooding. This is the first recorded flood.
• 600 – An Anglian tribe, the Snotingas, founded the settlements that would become modern Nottingham (Snotingaham) and Sneinton.
• 867 – The Great Heathen Army, a large Viking force, spent the winter in Nottingham after being pushed out of York.
• 868 – King Aethelred I of Wessex and his brother Alfred the Great came to Nottingham with their armies to help their brother-in-law, Burgred of Mercia. After talks, the Danes went back north.
• 893 – Asser, a Welsh monk, recorded the settlement as "Tig Guocabauc" in Old Brythonic. This means "cavey dwelling," likely because of the many ancient cave houses dug into the sandstone rock the city is built on.
• 918
  • Edward the Elder took Nottingham back.
  • A market was active in the town.
• 920 – Edward the Elder built defenses on the south bank of the Trent and a wooden bridge to stop the Danes from entering.
• 924 – The town was further fortified on its south side, but the Danes still recaptured it soon after.
• 941 – The Saxons, led by Edmund, took the town back from the Danes.
• 1013 – The town surrendered to Sweyn Forkbeard.
• 1067 – The first wooden Nottingham Castle was built by William Peverel on Castle Rock. This was in the new French area, west of the older Saxon part of town.
• 1086 – "Snotingeham" was mentioned in the Domesday Book, a famous survey of England.
• 1102 – Lenton Priory, a type of monastery, was founded by William Peverel.
• 1140 – During a period of conflict between King Stephen and Empress Matilda, Nottingham was captured and burned by Ralph Paganell. Many civilians were killed, even those who sought safety in St. Peter's Church.
• 1153 – A fire destroyed much of the city, including St. Peter's Church.
• 1155 – Nottingham was given a charter, a document that gave the townspeople certain rights.
• 1156
  • The town wall was rebuilt.
  • Trent Bridge was rebuilt in stone. This bridge, known as the "Heth Beth" bridge, connected the north and south sides of the river for 700 years.
• 1174 – Nottingham was taken during a rebellion by barons against King Henry II.
• 1178 – King Henry II spent Christmas at Nottingham Castle.
• 1180 – The rebuilding of St. Peter's Church began, a project that would take 40 years.
• 1189 – Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem public house is said to have been founded, though this date is debated.
• 1194 – After returning from a crusade and being imprisoned, Richard the Lionheart recaptured Nottingham Castle from his brother King John I's supporters after a three-day siege. Parliament was held here in the same year.
• 1212 – King John I spent Christmas in Nottingham. He made big improvements to the castle, including adding a stone tower. In the same year, he ordered 28 Welsh hostages to be executed from the castle walls because their fathers had rebelled against him.
• 1224 – Nottingham Greyfriars, a Franciscan friary, was founded on a site now used by the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre.
• 1232 – St Mary's hospital was founded.
• 1240 – Ye Olde Salutation Inn is said to have been founded, though this date is debated.
• 1252 – King Henry III ordered the outer defenses of the castle to be rebuilt in stone.
• 1260 – Construction began on a new town wall, made of local sandstone. It was 26 feet high and took 60 years to build. It later fell into disuse and was mostly taken down by 1540.
• 1264
  • During the Second Barons' War, rebels attacked the Jewish community in Nottingham.
  • The barons who had rebelled against King Henry III and taken Nottingham Castle were forced out.
• 1271 – Nottingham Whitefriars, a Carmelite Monastery, was established by Reginald de Grey on the site of what is now The Bell Inn.
• 1284
  • Nottingham Goose Fair began.
  • The first mention of a Mayor of Nottingham, created under a charter from King Edward I.
• 1295 – Nottingham began sending two members to parliament (this continued until 1885).
• 1330 – Young King Edward III and a group of plotters secretly entered Nottingham Castle through a tunnel and captured Roger de Mortimer, a nobleman who had been effectively ruling England.
• 1336 – A Parliament held in Nottingham in September voted to raise money for a war with France through taxes.
• 1346 – David II of Scotland was held prisoner in the caves under the castle.
• 1348 – The Black Death, a terrible plague, caused the deaths of half of Nottingham's population of about 3,000 people.
• 1365 – Edward III improved the castle with a new tower and a new prison.
• 1376 – Peter de la Mare, speaker of the House of Commons, was held in Nottingham Castle.
• 1386 – Richard II held a Parliament in Nottingham.
• 1392
  • Plumptre Hospital was founded.
  • Richard II held the Lord Mayor of London and other officials in the castle.
• 1394 – Richard II held a Parliament in Nottingham.
• 1397 – Richard II held a Parliament in Nottingham.
• 1403 – Nottingham Castle became the main home of Joan of Navarre, Queen of England.
• 1449 – Nottingham was granted its main charter, allowing the town to manage its own affairs. It then got its first Sheriff of Nottingham.
• 1460 – Edward IV was declared king in Nottingham.
• 1470 – Edward IV visited Nottingham.
• 1474 – St Mary's Church was built (around this time).
• 1476 – Royal Lodges were built at the castle.
• 1483 – Ye Flying Horse Inn was established.
• 1485 – Richard III marched from Nottingham to the Battle of Bosworth Field.
• 1487 – Henry VII marched from Nottingham to the Battle of Stoke Field.
• 1511 – Henry VIII ordered new tapestries for the castle for his visit in August.
• 1513 – A free grammar school was founded.
• 1523 – Henry VIII visited Nottingham.
• 1538 – Lenton Priory was closed down. The Prior and several monks were executed for treason.
• 1539
  • Nottingham Whitefriars and Greyfriars friaries surrendered during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
  • The Bell alehouse was active.
• 1570 – Edward Manners became constable of Nottingham Castle and held other important roles.
• 1588 – Wollaton Hall was built.

17th and 18th Centuries

• 1623 – The castle was sold to John Manners, who took building materials from the site.
• 1642 – On August 22, Charles I raised his royal standard at Castle Hill, marking the start of the English Civil War. The castle was soon taken by Parliament's supporters.
• 1643 – Royalists from Newark attacked Nottingham but failed to capture it.
• 1644 – Royalists failed a second time to capture Nottingham Castle but did occupy the town.
• 1646 – The bubonic plague affected the city.
• 1651 – Nottingham Castle was destroyed using gunpowder to stop it from being used as a Royalist stronghold.
• 1654 – Presbyterian religious groups were established in Nottingham.
• 1660 – Presbyterian groups were shut down when the monarchy was restored.
• 1662 – Presbyterian ministers were removed from their positions.
• 1667 – Another outbreak of plague occurred.
• 1674 – The Duke of Newcastle bought the site where the castle had been destroyed and built a mansion there.
• 1678 – St Nicholas' Church was built.
• 1683 – A major flood on the north side of the River Trent washed away the embankment and part of Trent Bridge.
• 1693 – Nottingham Waterworks Company was established.
• 1723 – Bluecoat school was built.
• 1726 – Nottingham Exchange was built.
• 1732 – Richard Arkwright, a famous inventor, was born.
• 1741 – The Nottingham Journal newspaper began publication.
• 1743 – Chapel Bar, the last remaining medieval city gate, was taken down to widen the road.
• 1752 – Bromley House was built.
• 1760 – A theatre was built in St. Mary's-gate.
• 1766 – High cheese prices led to severe Food Riots. One person was shot, and the events became known as the 'Great Cheese Riot'.
• 1767 – The introduction of the 'spinning jenny', a machine that allowed one worker to spin many threads, caused protests as workers worried about losing their jobs. Some machines were destroyed.
• 1769 – The industrialist Richard Arkwright set up his first spinning mill in Nottingham.
• 1770 – The old County Hall building in High Pavement was built.
• 1779 – The rejection of a bill to regulate the framework knitters' trade led to serious protests. Workers damaged houses and broke machines.
• 1780
  • The Nottinghamshire Gazette newspaper began publication.
  • During celebrations for the king's birthday, soldiers and locals clashed in Market Square, injuring several people.
• 1781 – Nottingham General Hospital was founded.
• 1783
  • Trent Navigation Company was established.
  • A drop in pay rates caused protests by framework knitters. Soldiers attacked the protesters, and at least one person was killed.
• 1788 – High prices led to protests over food.
• 1790 – J. & H. Bell booksellers were in business.
• 1791 – Framework knitters tried to negotiate with a hosier. Soldiers charged into the crowd, leading to a fight that injured several people.
• 1792 – High meat prices caused protests. Protesters later gathered in Market Square and made a huge bonfire.
• 1793 – People suspected of supporting the French Revolution were attacked near the town. Royalists also attacked the mayor's home.
• 1794 – Over several weeks, royalists attacked suspected radicals.
• 1795
  • The River Trent flooded, breaking its banks.
  • Protests over high meat prices were stopped by soldiers.
  • Another protest over high wheat prices occurred. Protesters went to bakers' shops, setting their own prices.
• 1796
  • Nottingham Canal opened.
  • Suspicions that a baker was hoarding grain caused another protest over food. Soldiers fired into the crowd, wounding one person and arresting others.
  • A heated election turned into unrest. After clashes, supporters of a radical candidate were escorted out of town.

19th Century

• 1800
  • High prices caused protests where large amounts of food were taken. Many people were arrested.
  • Over four days, protesters seized highly priced food throughout the town, and soldiers could not stop them.
  • Unrest spread across the UK. In Nottingham, army officers were pelted with stones at a theatre after trying to make the audience sing "God Save the King."
• 1802
  • A reformist candidate won elections in the city. There was a triumphant procession with a band playing revolutionary songs.
• 1808
  • The Nottingham Review newspaper began publication.
• 1811
  • The Luddite movement began in Nottingham. When Luddite John Westley died on November 10, his funeral led to the Riot Act being read in several places in Nottingham.
• 1812
  • Spencer Perceval, the prime minister, was killed. In Nottingham, residents celebrated, parading through the streets.
  • Tensions between royalists and radicals led to unrest in a theatre when radicals refused to take off their hats for the national anthem.
  • Food shortages caused two days of protests. They started when a person carried a loaf of bread on a stick over the market. Protesters were joined by militia troops.
• 1815
  • Particular Baptist Chapel was built.
  • John Boot, who founded Boots the Chemist, was born in Radcliffe on Trent.
• 1816
  • Nottingham Subscription Library was founded.
  • The funeral of Luddite James Towle took place in November. Despite a ban on the burial service, 3,000 people attended.
• 1817
  • 8,000-10,000 framework knitters went on a nine-week strike.
  • An uprising, known as the 'Pentrich rebellion', was quickly stopped, and some people faced serious consequences.
• 1819 – Hosier workers in the city tried unsuccessfully to organize a general strike.
• 1821 – A hosier strike across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire lasted two months but ended unsuccessfully. 5,000 people paraded daily with signs saying "Pity Our Distress… We Ask For Bread."
• 1822 – Beecroft's Toys was founded.
• 1824 – Artizan's Library was established.
• 1825 – The Nottingham Mercury newspaper began publication.
• 1827 – The last public punishment by hanging took place at Gallows Hill.
• 1831
  • On March 9, city residents signed a petition asking for changes to elections.
  • Following the defeat of a parliamentary reform bill, 'Reform Riots' broke out. Properties of certain people were damaged. Nottingham Castle and a silk mill were burned down. An attempt to free prisoners was stopped by soldiers. Three people faced serious consequences. The castle remained empty for 44 years before being restored.
  • Waterworks opened at Trent Bridge.
• 1832 – A cholera outbreak in 1832 caused 330 deaths in the area.
• 1833
  • The first Midland rail station in Nottingham opened.
  • A petition was organized to reduce the sentence of Joseph Turner, who was sent away for life for his role in the Pentrich Revolution.
• 1834 – Protests took place in Nottingham against the punishment given to the Tolpuddle Martyrs. 2,000 trade unionists gathered and marched to Market Square.
• 1835
  • Henry Moses Wood became sheriff, and the first modern police force was formed.
  • Nottingham Municipal Borough was created. It was abolished in 1974.
• 1837
  • Nottingham Mechanics' Institution was established.
  • A petition to develop part of the Meadows was refused, even though it would have had a major railway station.
• 1838
  • The Trent Bridge cricket ground opened.
  • Female Political Association was formed in the city.
• 1839 – A large Chartist petition with 1.3 million signatures was presented to the House of Commons in July. 17,000 signatures were from Nottingham.
• 1842
  • Carrington Street bridge was built over Nottingham Canal.
  • The Battle of Mapperley Hills: About 5,000 Chartists gathered on Mapperley Plains, and soldiers arrested 400 men, leading to unrest.
• 1843 – School of Design was established.
• 1844 – Cathedral Church of St. Barnabas, designed by Augustus Pugin, was built.
• 1845
  • St. Mary's Inclosure Act was passed, stopping the renting of caves and cellars to the poor.
  • First Residential Development in the Meadows.
• 1846 – People's College was founded.
• 1847 – Feargus O'Connor was elected to Parliament, the only Chartist to become an MP.
• 1848 – New General Post Office building on Albert Street opened.
• 1849 – Boots the Chemist was in business.
• 1850 – The Corn Exchange in Thurland Street opened.
• 1852
  • The Arboretum opened.
  • Richard Young bookseller was in business.
  • Nottingham Naturalists' Society was founded.
• 1855 – Adams Building opened.
• 1856 – Sacred Harmonic Society was established.
• 1859 – A statue of Feargus O'Connor was unveiled, with 12,000–15,000 people attending.
• 1861 – Nottinghamshire and Midland Merchants' and Traders' Association was established.
• 1862 – Notts County F.C. was formed, becoming the world's first professional football club.
• 1864 – All Saints' Church and Christ Church, Peas Hill, were built.
• 1865
  • Nottingham Forest Football Club was formed. They chose to wear the same shade of red as supporters of Giuseppe Garibaldi.
  • Theatre Royal was built.
• 1866
  • August: A floral fête was held in Nottingham Park.
  • 49 Nottingham women signed a petition for women's voting rights.
• 1868
  • Nottingham Free Library opened.
  • New General Post Office was built on Victoria Street.
• 1871
  • Trent Bridge was rebuilt.
  • July: A horticultural exhibition was held in Nottingham Park.
• 1873 – The Great Depression affected Nottingham. Prices rose, and incomes stayed the same, making money worth less. A strike also occurred in the textile industry.
• 1874 – Foundation of the Lace Makers' Union.
• 1875 – Nottingham Girls' High School was founded.
• 1876 – High Pavement Chapel was built.
• 1877
  • Marble Skating Rink opened.
  • John Player, a tobacconist, was in business.
• 1878
  • Nottingham Castle Museum opened.
  • The Nottingham Evening Post newspaper began publication.
• 1880 – Nottingham Corporation Water Department and Nottingham Society of Artists were established.
• 1881 – University of Nottingham was founded.
• 1883 – Nottinghamshire Amateur Photographic Association was established.
• 1890 – Raleigh Cycles was in business.
• 1891 – Notts County F.C. lost the FA Cup Final 3-1 to Blackburn Rovers.
• 1894 – Notts County F.C. won the FA Cup, beating Bolton Wanderers 4-1 in the final.
• 1897
  • Thoroton Society of Nottinghamshire was established.
  • August 7 – Nottingham was granted city status by Queen Victoria.
• 1900 – Nottingham Victoria railway station opened.

20th Century

• 1901 – Population: 239,743.
• 1909 – In February, Helen Watts, daughter of the vicar of Lenton, was arrested along with other suffragettes for marching on Parliament.
• 1910 – Derby Road drill hall opened.
• 1912 – Picture House opened.
• 1913 – A haystack worth £100 was destroyed near Nottingham by suffragettes.
• 1916 – Bombings occurred in the Meadows during World War I.
• 1922 – Nottingham Playgoers Club was founded.
• 1923 – Suffragettes set fire to timber sheds at Great Central Railway Station.
• 1926
  • Nottingham Natural History Museum opened.
  • Nottingham Philodramatic Society was founded.
  • General Strike: The Evening Post stopped publishing, and public transport was affected.
• 1928 – D.H. Lawrence wrote Lady Chatterley's Lover, but it was not published until 1960.
• 1929 – Nottingham Council House (city hall) was built.
• 1932 – Flooding reached the Midlands Railway station, 1.5 miles from the River Trent.
• 1933 – Church of St Peter with St James was formed.
• 1936
  • Capitol Cinema opened.
  • Royal Ordnance Factory Nottingham began operations.
  • Some Nottingham residents traveled to fight in the Spanish Civil War.
• 1937
  • Metropole Cinema opened.
  • Striking miners at Harworth Colliery were defended by the National Council for Civil Liberties after disturbances.
• 1940
  • New GPO Letter Sorting Office on Huntingdon Street opened.
  • 49 people died when a bomb was dropped on the Co-operative Bakery during air raids.
• 1941
  • May 8–9: Nottingham Blitz – German aerial bombing killed 159 people, injured hundreds, and left thousands homeless. It also caused massive destruction to the city's buildings.
  • St. John the Baptist church, Leenside, was bombed and destroyed.
• 1944 – The NUM (National Union of Mineworkers) was founded at a conference held in Nottingham.
• 1945 – Nottingham and District Technical College was established.
• 1946 – Nottingham Theatre Club was formed.
• 1947 – Flooding affected 3,000 properties and 86 factories in the city center.
• 1958
  • Clifton Bridge opened.
  • Unrest occurred in St Ann's involving West Indian immigrants.
• 1962
  • Nottingham Civic Society was founded.
  • Equal rights campaigner, Eric Irons, made history as Britain's first black magistrate.
• 1963 – Nottingham Playhouse opened.
• 1964 – Nottingham Regional College opened.
• 1969 – Jimmy Sirrel became the manager of Notts County F.C.
• 1970 – A group of West Indians held a carnival parade in the Meadows, which became an annual event.
• 1971 – Nottingham Campaign for Homosexual Equality held its first meeting.
• 1972
  • Lace Market Theatre opened.
  • Victoria Centre (shopping center) was in business.
• 1973 – Bridlesmith Gate (street) became pedestrian-only.
• 1974 – Brewhouse Yard Museum was founded.
• 1975 – Brian Clough was appointed manager of Nottingham Forest F.C.
• 1977 – The Anti-Nazi League was formed. Brian Clough was among its founding members.
• 1978
  • Nottingham Forest F.C. became champions of the English top flight.
  • Evening Post journalists began strike action.
• 1979
  • Pedals cyclists' advocacy group was formed.
  • Nottingham Forest F.C. won their first UEFA Champions League in Munich.
  • Hyson Green experienced unrest between July 10 and 17.
• 1980
  • Nottingham Greyhound Stadium and Rock City (club) opened.
  • Nottingham Forest F.C. won their second UEFA Champions League in Madrid.
• 1981 – Notts County F.C. was promoted to the First Division under Neil Warnock after 55 years.
• 1982 – A cycle route (to Clifton) opened.
• 1984 – The Miners' Strike occurred.
• 1985 – Green's Mill & Science Museum was established.
• 1989 – Broadway Cinema was active.
• 1990
  • Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre was active.
  • Nottingham and District Trades Union Council celebrated its centenary.
  • Protesters entered the council chamber during a discussion about the Poll Tax.
• 1991 – Trent Concert Band was established.
• 1992 – Nottingham Trent University was established.
• 1993
  • Galleries of Justice Museum was established.
  • A memorial to the Nottinghamshire volunteers of the British Battalion was unveiled at County Hall.
• 1994
  • Recycling centers opened.
  • 32 people were arrested after causing damage and assault in Nottingham's 'Mushroom Books' on January 15.
• 1998 – When Nottingham Carnival faced cancellation, local pressure forced the council to seek outside help.
• 1999
  • Nottingham Pride began.
  • New College Nottingham was established.
• 2000 – National Ice Centre (skating rink) opened.

21st Century

• 2001
  • The Sky Mirror sculpture was unveiled.
• 2004 – The first phase of the new Nottingham Express Transit (tram system) opened.
• 2009 – Centre for Contemporary Art Nottingham opened.
• 2015 – Phase 2 of the new Nottingham Express Transit opened.
• 2023 – Nottingham experienced a fatal attack that resulted in the deaths of 3 people and injuries to 3 others.