The Lace Market area is probably the oldest part of the city of Nottingham, with evidence of the earliest rural settlement have been found around Belward Street and Bellar Gate dating from fifth and sixth centuries - near the current site of the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham and National Ice Centre.

Pre-dating the arrival of the Normans, the Lace Market was the Saxon area of Nottingham. This is apparent from existing place names as the word ‘Gate’ arose from the Danish ‘gata’, meaning street. A Norman area of the town - centred around the castle - emerged following the Norman Conquest, and it was then that the city became merged.

The Lace Market then became the administrative area of the city and developed into the commercial and cultural sector in the Middle Ages. This can be seen in place names such as Fisher Gate (fish sellers) and Fletcher Gate (butchers). Shire Hall became the administrative centre for the county from 1449 and takes its name from the Sheriff. The current building, now a museum, was built in 1770.

The invention of the knitting frame by William Lee of Calverton in Nottinghamshire radically changed the area and eventually gave the Lace Market its name. Richard Arkwright established a small cotton mill in Hockley in 1768 and this led to the development of back to back housing for mill workers. Lace was manufactured on a frame adapted from that of William Lee and was further improved by John Heathcote and John Levers in the early 19 century. By the 1840s lace making was changing from a domestic industry into an international export.

This resulted in the high-density warehouses and narrow streets that are characteristic of the area today. You can still see great Victorian buildings such as the Adams building on Stoney Street and Barker Gate House, designed by the famous architect Watson Fothergill. For a particularly beautiful view, visit Broadway off Stoney Street—a historic factory street known for its striking architecture and vibrant charm. It’s a photograph-worthy spot that captures the essence of Nottingham’s industrial past, as highlighted in the stunning images above.

Find out more about The Lace Market today by clicking here.

You will explore this area on a few of the available tours around Nottingham City Centre. For more information, please visit our dedicated Tours & Trails pages.

Where to get Nottingham Lace?

Based in the heart of Lace Market, Debbie Bryan sells quality Nottingham Lace fabrics and trims, and provides a made-to-measure service. One of the most popular collections are the framed laces and lace hoops which are available in white, ecru and black. Other favourites include – hand-dyed by Debbie Bryan’s team and ever changing – the vibrant and seasonal colour stories.

Alongside the fabrics, you can also purchase pencil drawn historical Nottingham Draughtsman’s Drawings and lace punch cards, as well as lace embroidery samples. These were used as part of the historic production and commerce at Nottingham’s last lace embroidery company Fewkes, who were the manufacturers of Lady Diana Spencer’s wedding dress laces, and Sarah Ferguson’s wedding dress lace detail.

Established in 1845, Cluny Lace, Nottingham’s ninth-generation Lever’s Lace manufacturer worked with design houses such as Christian Dior, Vivienne Westwood, Burberry, Gucci and Paul Smith. In 2012 they supplied the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace with lace to create Catherine Middleton’s Royal Lace Appliqué for her veil and shoes.

A vast collection of treasured vintage lace, including Cluny Lever’s Lace and Fewkes Embroidered Lace, are also available for you to explore and use at Debbie Bryan when you pre-book your visit.

If you want to browse local souvenirs relating to lace, stop by the Tourism and Travel Centre and look at their wonderful collection, which is the perfect place to pick up a gift or treat yourself to something to remember Nottinghamshire by.