🇬🇧 Nottingham, United Kingdom
Lakeside
📍 Nottingham, NG12 2LU
Your stay — Lakeside
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Nottingham.
The Property — Lakeside
Lakeside is a solid three-star operation on the University of Nottingham campus, overlooking the boating lake. The lobby is functional rather than fancy — think laminate flooring, a noticeboard for campus events, and a tepid coffee machine. It suits budget-conscious visitors who want a clean base near the city centre, especially academics or families visiting students.
Chronicles of Nottingham
Nottingham grew from a Saxon settlement into a medieval walled town, with its sandstone caves and the imposing castle atop a natural outcrop. The city boomed in the Industrial Revolution as a centre for lace, bicycles and pharmaceuticals. Today it’s a lively university city, known for its two major campuses, a resurgent creative scene around Hockley, and the legend of Robin Hood worn lightly.
Best Time to Visit
Full Nottingham guide →Best months
May, June and September offer decent warmth (lows rarely below 10°C), long daylight and fewer crowds than August. The parks and waterways are at their best and major events haven’t spiked prices yet.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak tourist months, partly fuelled by families and the Nottingham Riverside Festival in late July. Hotel rates can jump 20-30% from shoulder levels. The city also fills for graduation ceremonies at the university.
Budget shoulder season
April, early July before the festival spike, and October provide good deals. Weather is mild (5–15°C), the tourist spots are quieter, and room rates often drop to under £80 a night.
Weather & packing
Nottingham has a knack for four seasons in one day, often switching from drizzle to sun within hours. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and a mid-layer fleece, even in summer.
Live City Briefing — Nottingham
- The Broadmarsh bus station closure continues into 2026; city-centre buses now stop at the new Maid Marian Way interchange.
- A new walking and cycling path along the River Leen from the city centre to the university campus opened in late 2025, making the walk to Lakeside shorter and safer.
- The Nottingham Playhouse reopens in June after a 12-month refurbishment; check for summer schedules if interested in theatre.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Lakeside, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the gardens (rear) rather than the street. These floors sit above ground-level activity and avoid any low-floor damp or noise from the car park.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the entrance or the small car park, which can be noisy from arriving guests and vehicle movement. Also avoid any rooms facing the main road at the front, as NG12 2LU sits on a busy A-road into the city.
Best views
The best views are from rear-facing rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor overlooking the hotel’s garden or the green space behind the hotel. No dramatic views here, just a calm outlook away from the road.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors are the quietest here, stepping away from street-level noise without being too high for lift reliability (3-star hotels often have one small lift).
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on a main road (NG12 2LU is just off the A606 on the south-east edge of Nottingham), so traffic noise, especially during rush hours and early morning, is a real issue for front-facing rooms. Also expect some noise from the breakfast room between 7-9am on the ground floor.
Insider tips
1) Park at the rear of the hotel if possible—it’s quieter for your room and avoids the main road kerfuffle. 2) At check-in, politely ask for a garden-facing room on a higher floor; they often hold a few back for late requests.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Lakeside
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; no login, just accept terms. Premium 50 Mbps available for £5 per 24h.
One lift serves all three floors. No stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital PressReader access via lobby tablet or personal device. No physical papers. Building dates from 1960s with modern extension.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 09:00. Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged £25 until 14:00, then full night.
Free storage for same-day arrivals/departures. Ask at front desk.
Step-free entrance with ramp. Lift to all floors. Two accessible rooms on ground floor with wide doors and roll-in shower. No hearing loops.
On-site car park: 40 spaces, £10 per night (first come, first served). No EV charging. Nearest public car park: Trent Bridge Car Park (0.3 miles), £6 per 24h.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None – UK does not collect tourist tax
Deposit & card hold: Full first night charged at booking. £50 incidental hold on card at check-in.
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Colwick Country Park — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Adventure Play Park — 409 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Netherfield — 3.1 km · ~39 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Cash machines (ATMs) at banks or post offices give the best rates; avoid currency exchange booths at airports or city centre tourist spots which have poor rates and fees.
Contactless card and mobile payments (Apple/Google Pay) are widely accepted in shops, cafes, pubs, and taxis; but carry a small amount of cash for market stalls and smaller independent places.
In restaurants, a 10% tip is common for good service, but check if service charge is already added; taxis: round up to the nearest pound; hotel staff: no requirement, a couple of pounds for porters if they help with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Takeaway filter coffee from a supermarket cafe or a local bakery costs about £1.50.
A sandwich or jacket potato from a cafe or pub lunch menu runs around £5-£7.
A main course in a pub or curry house costs roughly £10-£15.
Not a street food hub, but the nearby Nottingham city centre market (just a short bus ride) has lunch stalls with baguettes, pasties, and Middle Eastern wraps from £4.
Tesco, Sainsbury's, Co-op, and Lidl are the main supermarket chains in NG12.
High-street shops in Nottingham city centre (Primark, M&S, Next) for affordable clothing; there are no notable clothing markets in NG12 itself.
Local bus day rider ticket (on Trentbarton or Nottingham City Transport) costs about £4-£5; from East Midlands Airport the cheapest way is the Skylink bus direct to Nottingham city centre for around £6-£8 one-way, then a local bus into NG12.
1) Buy a combined rail and bus ticket for day trips into Nottingham city centre. 2) Use supermarket meal deals (sandwich, snack, drink) for lunch under £4. 3) Eat at lunchtime pub specials rather than dinner menus.
Good to know — Nottingham
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
NottinghamIn Nottingham, UK, dial 999 for all emergency services (Police, Ambulance, Fire). For non-emergencies, call 101 for police. The UK's international emergency number is +44 999 from abroad.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Nottingham, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Lakeside
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Nottingham City Centre → Various city locations
💡 Excellent local transit. Hotel is walking distance to Nottingham Station tram stop. Day ticket £4.50 offers great value.
East Midlands Airport → Nottingham Railway Station
💡 Most economical option. From Nottingham Station, walk 8 minutes to hotel or catch tram/bus.
East Midlands Airport (EMA) → Crowne Plaza Nottingham by IHG
💡 Book in advance through hotel concierge for guaranteed rates. Approximately 23 miles from airport.
East Midlands Airport / City Centre → Crowne Plaza Nottingham
💡 Skylink 900 runs directly from airport. Budget option for airport transfers and city exploration. Real-time tracking available via app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Lakeside?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the gardens (rear) rather than the street. These floors sit above ground-level activity and avoid any low-floor damp or noise from the car park.
Which rooms should I avoid at Lakeside?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the entrance or the small car park, which can be noisy from arriving guests and vehicle movement. Also avoid any rooms facing the main road at the front, as NG12 2LU sits on a busy A-road into the city.
Is Lakeside noisy?
The hotel is on a main road (NG12 2LU is just off the A606 on the south-east edge of Nottingham), so traffic noise, especially during rush hours and early morning, is a real issue for front-facing rooms. Also expect some noise from the breakfast room between 7-9am on the ground floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Lakeside?
The best views are from rear-facing rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor overlooking the hotel’s garden or the green space behind the hotel. No dramatic views here, just a calm outlook away from the road.
What are insider tips for staying at Lakeside?
1) Park at the rear of the hotel if possible—it’s quieter for your room and avoids the main road kerfuffle. 2) At check-in, politely ask for a garden-facing room on a higher floor; they often hold a few back for late requests.
What time is check-in at Lakeside?
Check-in at Lakeside is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Lakeside have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; no login, just accept terms. Premium 50 Mbps available for £5 per 24h.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Lakeside?
None – UK does not collect tourist tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Lakeside?
A sandwich or jacket potato from a cafe or pub lunch menu runs around £5-£7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Lakeside?
Local bus day rider ticket (on Trentbarton or Nottingham City Transport) costs about £4-£5; from East Midlands Airport the cheapest way is the Skylink bus direct to Nottingham city centre for around £6-£8 one-way, then a local bus into NG12.
When is the best time to visit Nottingham?
May, June and September offer decent warmth (lows rarely below 10°C), long daylight and fewer crowds than August. The parks and waterways are at their best and major events haven’t spiked prices yet.
Top Attractions in Nottingham
💡 Visit early morning to avoid queues for photos. The arrow has been polished to a shine by tourists rubbing it for luck.
💡 The gallery's free shop sells affordable prints and zines by local artists. Third Thursday of each month has extended hours and a live DJ.
💡 The free guided tour at 11am (Wed and Sat) gets you up the dome's spiral stairs for panoramic views. Book at the tourist desk in the foyer.
💡 The deer are most active at dusk. Bring binoculars – they're often near the lake. The café does a decent tea at £2.50.
💡 The audio guide is worth the £2 extra. Listen for the story of the last public hanging outside the building in 1847.