Nottingham - Lace Market & Lister Gate

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Nottingham's Lace Market and Lister Gate, with Detectives helping Chief Hankie unravel the mystery of Dame Broider's demise by following clues around the city and identifying who is innocent and who committed the crime.

The investigation covers approximately 1.5 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll begin at the big Marks and Spencer on the corner of Lister Gate and Low Pavement, then work your way through city streets, pedestrian areas and the historic Lace Market before looping back to the start.

This Trail is wheelchair and pushchair accessible. The route is mostly along city streets and pedestrian areas, with a hill on Plumptre Street and another route up the hill before Victoria Street. Lincoln Street becomes pedestrianised, and the route also uses steps at St Mary's Church gates.

There are roads to negotiate around the city centre. Cross the pedestrian crossing at Low Pavement, and later cross over to safely carry on down High Pavement.

Getting There

By car: Start your case at the big Marks and Spencer on the corner of Lister Gate and Low Pavement (NG1 7DB). Lace Market car park (NG1 1QE) is near the start.

By public transport: Chief Hankie suggests using the Park & Ride to the Lace Market stop. From there, make your way to the big Marks and Spencer on the corner of Lister Gate and Low Pavement to begin the investigation.

Need the Loo?

Make a tactical comfort stop before the case begins at Marks and Spencer, or use the toilets at the Victoria Centre after Clue 12.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

We are currently unaware of any restrictions for dogs on this Trail, but plan carefully if bringing four-legged Detectives. 🐾

This is a town and city route, so it may be less suitable due to traffic and a lack of open spaces, and you may also encounter restricted access to parks etc. Keep canine companions close around city roads, crossings, pedestrian areas, hills and the steps at St Mary's Church gates.

Food & Drink Stops

Crime-solving in the Lace Market is hungry work, but there are bars, cafes and restaurants on the route, with refreshments and snacks on the go and plenty of choice.

If you'd rather pause your investigation outdoors, the Rest Garden on Barker Gate is suggested as a place to take a rest.

Want to Make a Day of It?

The Galleries of Justice

The award-winning Galleries of Justice are in the old law courts and county gaol, making them a cracking extra for Detectives who like their history with a distinctly criminal edge. Look out for the stonemason's original mistake too - the county gaol was inscribed as the county "goal", and the error can still be seen today.

St Mary's Church

St Mary's Church stands on the highest part of old Nottingham and has serious history in its stones. It is the oldest parish in Nottingham, is mentioned in the Domesday Book, is believed to go back to Saxon times, and the present nave was completed in 1475.

Weekday Cross

Weekday Cross was once the centre of the town before the Norman Conquest in 1066. The monument here is a route landmark, and the surrounding buildings keep the Lace Market's textile story close at hand.

Heathcoat Street

Heathcoat Street honours John Heathcote, founder of machine made lace, who was born in 1783. After watching a woman making lace by hand, he invented a bobbin lace machine - useful background intel for any Detectives investigating a mystery in Nottingham's famous lace district.

Sir James Matthew Barrie's Nottingham Inspiration

Literary Detectives can keep an eye out for Nottingham's Peter Pan connection too. Sir James Matthew Barrie, the Scottish author and dramatist best known as the creator of Peter Pan, took inspiration for Peter Pan from a local street urchin he saw walking along Nottingham's Clifton Grove.