10 reasons to take an English course in Nottingham
Tuesday, 18th May 2010
With the release of Ridley Scott’s latest blockbuster, Robin Hood, the city of Nottingham will once again be in the limelight. We look at what makes it such a great study destination.
Nottingham is a lively university city that is often overlooked by foreign visitors. Despite an undeniably industrial past, Nottingham has forged itself into an attractive and cosmopolitan city that has plenty in the way of entertainment.
Here are just a few of the reasons why you should consider Nottingham as a place to learn English:
1. Accessibility
Nottingham is located right in the middle of the UK – in the heart of the ‘Midlands’ in fact. This means that the city enjoys great transport links, and that you can get to a range of other UK cities, including London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester in just an hour or two.
2. History
Nottingham has a long and interesting history to discover, although its most famous historical figure is, of course, Robin Hood. In the city, you can visit the Tales of Robin Hood to find out more about the mythical figure, and who he might have been. You can also visit the city’s impressive castle, its man-made caves dating from 1250 AD, and, not to be forgotten, ‘Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem’ – rumoured to be the oldest pub in England!
3. Sport
Nottingham can boast a definite prowess when it comes to sporting achievements. It has a first-class cricket team, who play at the famous Trent Bridge ground, two successful and well-supported football teams, and last but not least, two of the finest figure-skaters in the world, Torvill and Dean.
4. Shopping
In recent years, Nottingham has gained a reputation as of the best spots for shopping in the Midlands, if not the whole country. From large chain stores to designer shops and independent boutiques, it has it all. The perfect place for a bit of retail therapy!
5. Nightlife
As a city with two universities, Nottingham has a massive student population to cater for. As a result, it offers some excellent nightlife including a great range of bars and clubs in the city centre, the new canal-side development, and on the university campuses too. Nottingham also has some fantastic live music venues that all feature on bands’ nationwide tours – Rock City and the new Ice Arena are the biggest.
6. Multiculturalism
Although Nottingham is not especially large, it has a very multicultural feel and is home to people from all sorts of cultural backgrounds. There are communities built around all sorts of ethnicities and origins, and there’s also a huge amount of international students who come to study at the two big and prestigious universities.
7. Affordability
Nottingham’s distance from London and its industrial roots mean that it’s a city that offers a very affordable lifestyle. The cost of living there tends to be below the national average, which makes it a great option for students on a budget especially.
8. Surrounding countryside
Nottingham itself is home to lots of parks and ‘green’ areas but it also has an enviable location close to the Peak District national park, with its stunning views and lovely walks. Definitely an area that should be explored!
9. People
It’s often said that people in the north of England can be friendlier than people in the south, and whilst this is somewhat of a generalisation it is definitely the case when it comes to Nottingham. People there are very friendly and welcoming in general and will be happy for you to practise your English skills on them!
10. The Goose Fair
The biggest event in the calendar year for the people of Nottingham is the historic Goose Fair. Held on one of the city’s biggest parks every September, the fair dates back more than 700 years and was once said to be Europe’s biggest. The Goose Fair started as a trade event and enjoyed a reputation for its high-quality cheese, although it is now known for its rides and games.
Cactus offers a range of English course options in Nottingham, including general, intensive and exam preparation courses at all levels.
Find out more on Ridely Scott’s ‘Robin Hood’
Tags: english, location, course, london, history, england, nottingham
Posted by Laura Harrison under Experience Cultures,
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