Now, despite its name, there were no actual market stalls per se, but the Lace Market was bursting with 19th-century industrial architecture. The area is a protected heritage site, which means we get to marvel at the Victorian beauty all around us. Keep an eye out for those red-brick buildings, towering 4 to 7 stories high. Oh, and how can we miss those iron railings, old gas lamps, and red phone boxes? It's like taking a trip back in time to Victorian England.
One of the notable buildings here is the Adams Building, now part of Nottingham College's City campus. It was designed by a guy called Thomas Chambers Hine for a Quaker named Thomas Adams, who was determined to make Victorian factory conditions more bearable. Good on him!
But wait, there's more! You'll also find a handsome Georgian street here called High Pavement. It's home to the Galleries of Justice and St. Mary's Church, which happens to be the oldest Christian Foundation in the city. St. Mary's Church is a sight to behold, completed way back in 1474 and boasting early English Perpendicular architecture. Talk about historical gems!
Now, keep your eyes peeled for the distinct features in the area. You might notice turrets, gargoyles, and mock Tudor beams adorning shops, banks, houses, and even churches. These were the handiwork of a local architect named Watson Fothergill, who must have been quite the Gothic revival enthusiast in Victorian times.
Just like many other British cities, the traditional lace industry in Nottingham faced a decline as technology advanced. But fear not! The Lace Market has had a fabulous renaissance and is now a shining example of post-industrial regeneration. Thanks to Operation Clean Up, which started in 1978, the area was spruced up with public grants, and many of the old warehouses got a new lease on life as luxury apartments, offices, and academic buildings.
You know what else is cool? The National Justice Museum on High Pavement. It's housed in the old law courts and County Gaol, or County Goal if you ask the stonemason who made a little mistake while carving the inscription. Oopsie! You can even take tours of the old buildings and lace machines if you're feeling extra curious.
To keep exploring, let's head to our next stop: High Pavement. Just follow me, and we'll continue our adventure through the marvelous streets of Nottingham!
