The Best Places to Study in Nottingham (That Aren’t Your Room)
by Babe - 16th April 2025
If your desk is starting to resemble a bin and your brain is crying out for a change of scenery, it might be time to mix up your study routine. Whether you’re at the University of Nottingham or NTU, Nottingham is full of fantastic places to knuckle down and get some work done—with a side of caffeine and decent WiFi. Here’s a local’s guide to the best places to study in the city.
☕ Cosy Coffee Shops (With Plugs and a Buzz)
Sometimes you need more than silence and grey walls. Coffee shops offer background chatter, comfy chairs, and most importantly—cake.
1. 200 Degrees Coffee (Flying Horse Walk & Carrington Street)
A Nottingham staple. The vibe is peak “productive student” and the baristas won’t glare if you’re there for hours. Solid coffee, great WiFi, and plenty of plug sockets.
200 Degrees Coffee
2. Cartwheel Café & Roastery (Low Pavement)
If you’re a bit of a coffee snob (no judgement), Cartwheel is your spot. The tables are perfect for spreading out your notes, and the brunch menu is a decent reward for a productive morning.
Cartwheel Café
3. The Specialty Coffee Shop (Friar Lane)
A quiet gem near the castle. Great for solo study sessions when you really need to concentrate—but still want a flat white nearby.
4. Fox Café (Pelham Street)
A little livelier, with chill indie playlists and strong lunchtime vibes. Maybe not ideal for hard-core essay-crunching but perfect for more relaxed reading or brainstorming sessions.
📚 Libraries (Classic, But Make It Better)
Nottingham’s got some dreamy libraries that are way more inspiring than your average textbook tomb.
1. Djanogly Learning Resource Centre (University Park Campus)
A stunning lakeside location with 360° views and excellent facilities. It’s iconic for a reason. Great for both group and solo study.
UoN Libraries
2. Boots Library (NTU City Campus)
Open late, loads of group study rooms, and right in the heart of NTU. Plus, there’s a café downstairs—so you never have to be far from snacks.
NTU Libraries
3. Nottingham Central Library
Nottingham Central Library sleek design, loads of study spaces, and access to local history archives. Keep your eye on it—it’s going to be a game changer.
Nottingham City Libraries
🌿 Outdoorsy Vibes (When the Sun Actually Comes Out)
1. Highfields Park
Right next to University Park Campus—perfect for a textbook picnic when the weather behaves.
2. Arboretum Park (Near NTU)
Peaceful, green and full of benches. Less intense than a library, but still good for a few hours of focused reading or revision.
Honourable Mentions
-
Rough Trade Nottingham (Broad Street): Indie music shop with a cool café upstairs—great for chill afternoons with a notebook or your laptop.
Rough Trade Nottingham -
Blend (Sneinton Market): A creative café/workspace that’s perfect for deep-focus days or meeting up with your group project team.
Blend Coffee Shop
Final Thoughts
Studying doesn’t have to be dull. Switching up your environment can help boost your focus, beat procrastination, and make the whole uni thing feel less like a slog. Grab your laptop, find your spot, and make that study playlist—you’ve got this.
Got a fave study spot that we missed? Let us know over on @PurpleFrogProperty and we might add it to our list!
Useful Links & References