This article was written by Georgia Garnett from University of Nottingham
Nottingham has a great market history and tradition. I mean, the centre of Nottingham is called Old Market Square for a reason. There are markets across Nottingham with a wide range of products, themes and events to enjoy. It can make a lovely break from the day-to-day stresses of uni, and offer something different than major shopping centres. Take a day, go with some mates and see what’s on offer. There’s so many to choose from, so we’ve found six of the best Nottingham markets for you to take your pick. 

Victoria Centre Market:

Located in the upper mall of the Victoria Centre, this is the only indoor market in the entire city of Nottingham. It’s open on Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, so if you’re lucky enough to have a free day on your timetable, this could be the perfect activity. With a wide range of products available, from beauty products to crafts, flowers, jewellery and fashion, there’s bound to be something you’re looking for. Plus, there are three different restaurants and cafes, so you can definitely make a day out of it. 

Sneinton Market Avenues:

Sneinton is in the six best Nottingham markets list
Source: Sneinton Market Avenues
Sneinton Market Avenues is located 10 minutes from the city centre, close to the Ice Centre and Motorpoint Arena. They have a focus on independent businesses, with bakeries, award-winning chocolates, and jewellery shops, along with many others. But, it goes beyond just your traditional market. There’s a co-working space if you’re looking for a new spot to do some uni work, a few different coffee shops (we all know that uni students run on coffee) and a street food club. Plus they hold various one-off events such as “A very Sneinton Christmas”, happening on the 2nd (3pm-8pm) and 3rd (11am-4pm) of December, or Pride-themed markets in July. 

Nottingham International Market:

6 of the best Nottingham markets revealed
Source: Visit Nottinghamshire
The Nottingham International Market is a yearly event in September, and one of the best markets in town. Despite the name, all of the traders are from the UK delivering a wide range of items. While you can buy some products, it is primarily a food market. Chinese street food, French macarons, Spanish Paella, Greek moussaka. It’s called the International Market for a reason. I went there during my freshers and went again this year. I thought it was a great way to get acquainted with the city, so it’s definitely one I’d recommend checking out next year if you haven’t already.

Winter Wonderland:

Winter wonderland is one of Nottingham's best markets
Source: Nottingham Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland is one of the most iconic events in Nottingham. It takes place from the 15th of November to the 31st of December, making it a great spot to visit to get in the Christmas spirit. With over 60 stalls, there’s a great variety of things to see and buy. In addition, there’s a Ferris wheel with an amazing view across the city of Nottingham. Plus, a 200m ice rink in Old Market Square, both elevated in the air and on the ground, with a skate-through bar (new for 2022). With so many things to see and do, it’s a great place to go with friends or if family come to visit. You can very easily go multiple times and have a different experience each visit.  

Bulwell Market:

Bulwell Market is one with a lot of history, as it can be traced all the way back to the 10th century. It’s open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am to 4pm. Wednesday is a flea market day, with the most popular of the markets on offer. There are more than 50 stalls at the Bulwell market, with a wide range of items from books to art and crafts, to food and fashion. Bulwell is a transport hub in the north of Nottingham, so it’s also very easy to get to, no matter where in Nottingham you’re based. 

Colwick Car Boot Market:

Colwick car boot market is a regular market in Nottingham
Source: Nottingham Markets
The biggest car boot sale in Nottingham is in Colwick Park, near the Nottingham Racecourse, to the east of the city. While it’s further out from some of the other options, it’s still very easy to reach on public transport, no matter which uni you go to. It’s about 4 minutes on public transport from UON and 20 minutes from Trent. The car boot sale takes place every Sunday and averages 220 cars and ten times that number in visitors a week. Plus, if you happen to have a car and some things you want to sell, then this is the perfect spot to make some money. The market is open from 8:35am and customers must pay a £1 entry fee for adults.  So, there you have it, these are six of the best Nottingham markets you can visit throughout the year. While it’s not an extensive list, most of them are open regularly and deliver a huge range of things to buy.  If you’re looking for something else to do in Nottingham, check out our list for the best cheap things to do in Nottingham for students.

Last Updated on June 12, 2025

Published on November 17, 2022

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  • Connor is a seasoned content expert at Unifresher, specialising in publishing engaging and insightful student-focused content. With over four years of experience in data analysis and content strategy, Connor has a proven track record of supporting publishing teams with high-quality resources. A graduate of the University of Sussex with a BSc in Accounting and Finance, he combines his academic background with his passion for creating content that resonates with students across the UK. Outside of work, Connor enjoys staying active at his local gym and walking his miniature dachshunds.

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