Watson Fothergill Walk: Architecture of Victorian Nottingham Guided Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Why did the Victorians think a mortgage was like a monkey?
How can one architect have two names on one building?
What links one of Nottingham's foremost Victorian architects with Mick Jagger and Thomas Hardy?
All these and more questions will be answered on an entertaining and informative guided walk around the buildings of architect Watson Fothergill in Nottingham City Centre. Learn about the buildings of one of Nottingham's most prominent Victorian architects, his signature style and the influence of the Gothic on the city's buildings. A walk of approximately 3km (1.86 miles). There will be an opportunity for refreshments at the end of the walk.
Participants are asked to come prepared for appropriate weather eventualities and to wear footwear suitable for city walking.
Meet outside Nottingham Tourism Centre on Smithy Row (next to Council House).
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Wheelchair and scooter users are welcome but please check with organiser as some steps involved at end of walk. Otherwise is on pavements and pedestrian streets.
Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
Please contact organiser if you wish to bring children under 16
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Watson Fothergill Head Office
View the exterior of one of Nottingham's most unusual buildings and learn about its architecture and history.
Nottingham
The walking tour covers Nottingham's historic city centre including the Market Square, Lace Market and Castle Quarter.
What‘s Included
Walking tour of Nottingham looking at the architecture of Watson Fothergill
Options
Tour of Victorian Architecture
Duration: 2 hours: Just over 2 hours with opportunity to see inside Fothergill's pub at the end of the route.
Watson Fothergill Walk: Explore the buildings of architect Watson Fothergill in Nottingham.
Reviews
46 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
mike clifford123,,Jul 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A brilliant tour with a knowledgeable guide. Highly recommended. Lucy has so many stories about the buildings and architect.
Learn about Nottingham and its buildings !
lindseys172,,Jun 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Attended this today, as I've been a fan of the WF architecture for some time and was curious to learn more. Lucy didn't disappoint, she was knowledgeable, entertaining, and kept the group entertained throughout. A really worthwhile thing to do, to learn about Nottingham, architecture, and the history of the city. Excellent value 👏 Do this on your own, in a couple or with friends. You'll enjoy it !
Fascinating, entertaining and great value!
jeannebY5494GW,,Apr 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I arranged a private tour for a few friends and it was brilliant! Lucy set just the right pace and was both informative and entertaining. We learnt how to identify a Fothergill building as well as lots of fascinating history of families and businesses around Nottingham city centre. Great value and highly recommended.
Watson Fothergill hiding in plain sight.
Steevi W,,Mar 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A brillnt two hour walk round the buildings of Watson Fothergill. Lucy has certainly done her reaserch and delivers the facts with humour and confidence that makes the tour fly by. Her passion and Insight for the architect is clear and her enthusiasm make this a glorious, fun and illuminating tour. Very highly recommended. Will definitely be doing more
Very enjoyable, reccomended.
markbZ1630AO,,Oct 20, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a genuinely wonderful, enjoyable and informative walk. Lucy is that best kind of guide, clearly knowledgeable and passionate about the subject but able to communicate it in accessible and entertaining way. The tour itself is brilliant, you get a new appreciation of the buildings and see things you've not noticed before even if you've lived here for ages. I would absolutely reccomend this to anyone interested in architecture, Nottingham, history, victoriana and corners with turrets! Ooh, and stop at the Fothergil pub at the end the food is ace.
Really good fun
C1868QHsaras,,Sep 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great walk today. Lucy is full of interesting information delivered in a warm, amusing and accessible way. Looking forward to doing the walk in Carrington next year
An opportunity to discover more about one of Nottingham's leading architects
helencV8454IS,,Sep 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lucy was an engaging tour guide, setting the scene and bringing Watson Fothergill alive through amusing asides, historic descriptions, and, of course, architecture. A great way to learn more about an intetesting architect and see Nottingham from a new angle.
Wonderful guided tour
Jeff E,,Aug 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brilliant tour of amazing buildings. Thanks to Lucy for making this such an enjoyable event. So much information given and history learned in a very welcoming style.
What the Fothergills?!
alisonbU1048LF,,Aug 20, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great way to spend some time together. Our guide Lucy was fabulous, funny, and very knowledgeable. It was a reasonably large group on the tour, but it wasn’t an issue, we could always hear what Lucy was telling us, and could see the architectural features and details she was pointing out. Lucy answered everyone’s questions very well and I look forward to booking another walking tour with her.
A Sunday morning stroll round Nottingham city centre
philipbQ4258CC,,Aug 18, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A brilliant informative and very entertaining couple of hours spent on this tour of interesting buildings. thanks to Lucy
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