September 24, 2016
Exploring England:
Loughborough & Nottingham
This post is a little late because it has been crazy since September started. Work has been getting much busier due to the start of a new exciting term at University. If I hadn’t taken a year out for my placement, I would be in my final year. Seeing all the new students over the past week has got me excited in my final year (next year) It also made me realise how ridiculously quick University really is, I still remember laughing and crying when I got my unconditional offer 3 years ago!
*gets emotional*
Anyway, today I decided to share my short (but sweet) weekend away from my little hometown of Sheffield. Although it’s not a typical weekend destination for most (to Loughborough and Nottingham), I always enjoy exploring and comparing places with my hometown.
I’m also smashing my New Years goal of travelling around England ??, check out where I’ve been via the hashtag #pawleanexploresengland on Instagram!
One of the best things I love about exploring new cities in England is the calming ride there – usually by train, it’s always “me” time.
Below are some photos I took as I was strolling around:
Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t great. I got caught up in the horrible rain, and whilst walking around cars splashed water on me multiple times. Has this ever happened to you? I used to think, that it NEVER happens because it only happens in movies. Clearly not!
I was soaked by the end of the day, having Nandos and arriving at such a beautiful hotel (Roomzzz – 100% recommend!) in Nottingham made up for it. Food will always make me less grumpy, that’s for sure!
Nottingham had better weather and although I didn’t get to see much, I did get a feeling of “I need to come back here as soon as possible!” because there were so many attractions I missed like the well-known Sherwood Forest.
Lunch destination was Turtle Bay and it was indeed the best Caribbean Resturant and Bar in the UK. I had taken photos of the food but my phone recently required a reset so I’ve lost them. Take it from me, though – large portions (to the point I couldn’t finish it!) and a welcoming atmosphere.
After strolling around the main city centre (I think, I have to admit I was lost a few times) it was time to chill out and relax with none other than my favourite tea – green and lots of it at the 200 degrees coffee shop which again, was a great choice, I can imagine going there often if I lived in Nottingham.
If you live in the UK, have you ever been to Nottingham? Where are some places you’d recommend?
Have you ever been splashed by water from cars driving past? (Multiple times at once?)
Leave a comment
Clare
Aw this makes me want to travel to Europe so bad! haha. the buildings/houses just looks so beautiful and I feel like I will be filled with lots of inspirations there like that cottage surrounded by pretty flowers ah! So pleasing to the eyes. Thanks for sharing your travels, at least I get to see of how the place looks like even if its just through photos 😀
Tara
Nottingham! I keep thinking of Robin Hood 😀 I love seeing the photos. That cottage with the flower? Gorgeous! I also like the architecture in the third photo. I am sorry it was raining on you, though! I think I was splashed by a car once, and I did not enjoy it. Nope!
And wow, you’re in your final year of uni? I am sure that’s giving you a ton of feels! Make the most of it, Pauline 😀
Amy
I’ve never been to Loughborough or Nottingham! I tend to visit the same places over and over in the UK, so I probably need to start varying things a bit. I’ve been to Manchester so many times, but I barely ever go anywhere else! They both look really nice, also. Your photos are amazing, as always!
The cottage looks so pretty. I envy people who are great at gardening – I can barely keep my two planters of flowers from dying, let alone a whole garden! And Loughborough campus looks really cool, also. My uni was so small in comparison!
Glad you had a good time!
Jan
I would really love to visit England one of these days. Good luck to your final year in the University and hope you’ll have the best out of those remaining days. That little cottage is adorable. And sorry about being splashed with water. I came from a Tropical Country, and I so feel you. I got splashed on multiple times… on my white Nursing uniform. Not very funny at that time, but now I can laugh at it. 🙂
Thao
Aww getting splashed is no fun. I’m sure the movies were inspired by England with all that rain. XD
I love how quaint and charming everything looks! I would love to live in a cute little flower-covered cottage.
Your post is definitely inspiring me to go out and explore more of the cities nearby rather than just those aboard. And great job on smashing your goal!
Cat
That’s great that you’ve been traveling around England! That sounds nice to be able to take small trips now and then 🙂 I wish I could do that, but things are so spread out in Texas (and well, not as interesting). I love the cottage that is covered in flowers. How pretty and cute!
Too bad about the weather though, and I’ve totally been splashed by cars before. I feel like drivers can be more considerate about that! Sounds like Nottingham was a lovely and relaxing trip though!
Michelle
I’ve never been splashed by cars, it seems unreal and even movie like. XD Nottingham and even Loughborough are so beautiful and I’ve always admired the names that England has and even Wales, Or Scotland for their towns and cities. Glad you had a good time! I hope to eventually visit England or even the UK.
Maroon Caludin
A shame about the weather! But looks like you had a lovely time anyway!
Delphine
Floweeeerrrrs ♥ Everything looks so pretty! Looks like you had a lot of fun 😀 I think that raining is a part of England’s charms haha but getting splashed definitely isn’t :’) It might have happened to me once or twice, it’s super annoying…
I have a friend who went to university in Nottingham and she told me nice things about the city as well!
Kemi
It really is crazy how fast time flies, can’t believe I’ve already graduated!
Looks like you had a good time! I’ve been to a few placed in the UK like Bristol and Manchester but never Nottingham, definitely need to put that on my list as a place to go! Also need to check out Turtle Bay, funnily enough was just talking to my boyfriend about the lack of good African and Caribbean restaurants around.