Your stay — The Gamston Lock
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The Property — The Gamston Lock
The Gamston Lock is a pragmatic three-star on the A60 just south of Nottingham city centre. It feels more like a comfortable roadside inn than a city hotel: laminate floors in the lobby, a bar that fills with locals on match days, and car-park views from most windows. Good for drivers who want a clean bed, a hot breakfast and quick access to the ring road.
Chronicles of Nottingham
Nottingham grew from a Saxon settlement at a crossing of the River Trent. Its sandstone cliff was tunnelled into medieval ale cellars, and on top sits the castle built by William the Conqueror. The lace industry boomed in the 19th century, leaving grand red-brick warehouses now repurposed as flats and galleries. Today the city is shaped by two universities, a young population, and a nightlife economy built around music and sport.
Best Time to Visit
Full Nottingham guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm afternoons, low chance of rain, and the city feels lively but not overwhelmed by students.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak season. The Nottingham Riverside Festival (late July) draws crowds, students are out for summer, and hotel prices climb 20-30% from the spring average.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are ideal for budget stays. Temperatures hover around 10-15°C, fewer tourists, and rooms often drop below £70.
Weather & packing
Nottingham's climate is reliably damp even in summer – expect a rain shower on at least one in three July days. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and wear shoes that can handle wet pavements.
Live City Briefing — Nottingham
- Tram works on the Chilwell line are set to finish in June 2026, so the city's tram network will be fully operational by your visit.
- The new Broadmarsh bus station opens July 2026, replacing the temporary stop on Collin Street – check your arrival route.
- The annual Goose Fair runs late September, not July, so expect quieter streets and easier restaurant bookings during your stay.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Gamston Lock, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing the rear (away from the A52 road). The upper floors are quieter and further from the bar and restaurant noise on the ground floor.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (too close to the bar, restaurant, and check-in area) and any rooms facing the front (overlooking the A52 dual carriageway, which can be noisy, especially during rush hour). Also avoid rooms near the lift core on any floor.
Best views
The best view is from rear-facing rooms on floors 3 or 4, overlooking the canal or the parkland behind the hotel (the property backs onto the River Trent or Gamston Locks area). Front-facing rooms offer a view of the A52 roundabout.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest, as they sit above ground-floor activity and are less affected by street noise than floor 4 (if roof plant exists).
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits right on the A52 (Nottingham Road), a busy dual carriageway. Noise peaks at 7-9am and 4-6pm. The bar and restaurant on the ground floor can generate noise until 11pm. The lift produces a low hum that is audible in adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1. Park in the free car park behind the hotel (entrance from Gamston Locks way) to avoid the busy A52 exit. 2. Request a room on floor 3 when booking – quieter and better for the canal view, but less foot traffic from the lift.
- 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 — The Gamston Lock
Free standard WiFi (approx 15 Mbps) for all guests; a paid 'Premium' tier (£5/night, 50 Mbps) is available via voucher at reception. Login requires room number and surname.
Lift serves all three floors of the main building; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to PressReader via a code at check-in; no physical newspapers distributed
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 12:00 (free if room not ready). Late check-out until 12:00 (no fee); after 12:00 charges £30 until 14:00, then full night's rate
Free luggage storage for same-day arrivals and departures in the secure concierge office
Step-free access at main entrance via a ramp; one adapted ground-floor room with roll-in shower and grab rails. Lift serves all floors. No accessible parking bay reserved.
On-site car park: 40 spaces, first-come-first-served, £8 per night. Nearest public car park: 'Trent Bridge Retail Park' (0.3 mi), £5 for 24 hours. No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full stay charged at booking; a £50 incidental hold is placed on card at check-in, refunded within 5 working days
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: New Apostolic Church (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
- Church: St Luke's Church (1.7 km · ~22 min walk)
- Church: All Hallows (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Ambleside Play Park — 492 m · ~6 min walk
The Studio Theatre — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Adbolton Lane Playground — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 986 m · ~12 min walk
Morrisons Pharmacy — 971 m · ~12 min walk
Morrisons Daily — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →British Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or Post Office branches for better rates than airport; avoid tourist exchange booths which charge poor commissions.
Card and contactless payments (including mobile pay via Apple/Google Pay) are standard everywhere; most venues accept all major cards, though some independent businesses prefer cash.
Round up to nearest pound or add 10% in restaurants if service was good; taxis and hotel staff appreciate small tips (£1–2) but tipping is not obligatory.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Buy a reusable coffee cup to get discounts at cafés (typically 20–30p off). Use supermarket meal deals for lunch rather than café chains. Check local bus passes and Nottingham-area tourist cards if staying multiple days.
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 The Gamston Lock
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 986 m · ~12 min walk — pharmacy · Morrisons Pharmacy — 971 m · ~12 min walk
🚐 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 The Gamston Lock?
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing the rear (away from the A52 road). The upper floors are quieter and further from the bar and restaurant noise on the ground floor.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Gamston Lock?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (too close to the bar, restaurant, and check-in area) and any rooms facing the front (overlooking the A52 dual carriageway, which can be noisy, especially during rush hour). Also avoid rooms near the lift core on any floor.
Is The Gamston Lock noisy?
The hotel sits right on the A52 (Nottingham Road), a busy dual carriageway. Noise peaks at 7-9am and 4-6pm. The bar and restaurant on the ground floor can generate noise until 11pm. The lift produces a low hum that is audible in adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at The Gamston Lock?
The best view is from rear-facing rooms on floors 3 or 4, overlooking the canal or the parkland behind the hotel (the property backs onto the River Trent or Gamston Locks area). Front-facing rooms offer a view of the A52 roundabout.
What are insider tips for staying at The Gamston Lock?
1. Park in the free car park behind the hotel (entrance from Gamston Locks way) to avoid the busy A52 exit. 2. Request a room on floor 3 when booking – quieter and better for the canal view, but less foot traffic from the lift.
What time is check-in at The Gamston Lock?
Check-in at The Gamston Lock is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Gamston Lock have Wi-Fi?
Free standard WiFi (approx 15 Mbps) for all guests; a paid 'Premium' tier (£5/night, 50 Mbps) is available via voucher at reception. Login requires room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Gamston Lock?
None
When is the best time to visit Nottingham?
May, June and September: warm afternoons, low chance of rain, and the city feels lively but not overwhelmed by students.
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.