Weekday Cross

This section of the walk is the perfect example of the old mixing with the new. Next to Weekday Cross you'll see a tram line (and maybe even a tram!), Nottingham's newest mode of cross-city transport. It was opened in 2004.

Cross over the tram line and carry on along Middle Pavement. Look carefully for a sign on your right called Drury Hill. In years gone by this was a steep descent into an area of the city known as the Broad marsh. It was named after Alderman Drury, a prominent shoe manufacturer of his time. Until its demolition in 1968 this was a narrow road surrounded by lanes housing a variety of shops but the developers moved in and today you can shop to your heart's content in the Broadmarsh shopping centre.

Not much remains of Drury Hill

And if you fancy a quick shop here's your chance to do it as we walk down towards Low Pavement. To your right you'll see a road leading to Market Square (or Slab Square) where you'll see the Council House, home of Nottingham City Council and also Little John that chimes out the hours seven days a week.

But we're carrying on towards Castle Gate and the Royal Children pub. Take a closer look at this hostelry. Like so many pubs in Nottingham it's got a bit of history attached. The word is that in 1688, when the throne of King James II was in peril, he arranged for his daughter Anne to be sent to Nottingham.

She became very popular with the locals and tradition has it that her children used to play with those of the landlord. Unfortunately none of Anne's children survived into adulthood and it is said that the restless spirits of her offspring still walk in and around the site.

Newdigate House

The name "The Royal Children," is painted on the shoulder-blade of a whale that is displayed within the pub.

Now use the pedestrian crossing to go over the busy Maid Marian Way ring road.

Carry on and you'll find Newdigate House which was built around 1675. Today it houses the World Service restaurant but in 1704 it became home of the defeated French general Marshal Tallard (he'd lost at Blenheim to the Duke of Marlborough).

He lived in Nottingham under parole but, far from being a prisoner, endeared himself to the locals. He allegedly taught women to make white bread and popularised the eating of celery. He loved the vegetable while in France but no one in Britain knew what it was used for. That soon changed when he discovered celery growing in the wild marshes at Lenton.

Carry straight on towards the castle.