Nottingham Castle is located atop Standard Hill, which was named after Charles I raised his standard (flag) to signal the start of the English Civil Wars in 1642. The current castle, which was refurbished by the corporation between 1875 and 1878, includes a museum and an art gallery. Nottingham's connection to the legendary robber Robin Hood is commemorated by a statue on Castle Green.

Nottingham University College was founded in 1881 and moved to its current home in the city's west end in 1928. The land was provided by Lord Trent, alias Jesse Boot, founder of Boots Company, Ltd., and was later used to support extensive expansion. It was renamed the University of nottingham a-level tutoring in 1948. Nottingham Trent University was founded in 1970 as a polytechnic and was raised to university status in 1992. There are two significant theatres in the city: the Theatre Royal (1865) and the Playhouse (opened in 1963). Lord Byron and D.H. Lawrence are two literary figures associated with Nottingham.

Long-term prosperity has resulted from the city's diverse economic structure. In the heart of the East Midlands coalfield, Nottingham is a vital transportation hub. It is also associated with the sock and lace industries. However, in the early 2000s, pharmaceutical and cigarette businesses closed a bicycle manufacturing plant. The bulk of individuals are employed in the economy's service sector—29 square miles of land (75 square km). In 2001, the population was 266,988; in 2011, it was 305,680.