Weird and wonderful Nottingham Christmas traditions

A walk around Wollaton over Christmas is an absolute must!

Do you find yourself explaining to ‘outsiders’ what Nobby Greens are?

When it comes to Christmas traditions, it often varies from family to family.

Some people, for example, have their Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, while others have a strict rule of taking the tree and all other decorations down by Boxing Day.

But it’s also fair to say that geography can influence what Christmas experiences a family has.

Read more: Your Nottingham

You probably can’t imagine a family here in Nottingham having the same type of Christmas as people in Cornwall, for instance.

With this in mind, we wanted to know what your typical Nottingham Christmas looks like; including what makes it different to those in other parts of the county.

After putting the feelers out, you came back with some cracking (and humorous) suggestions. The top six can be found below!

1. Explain to people who aren’t from Nottingham what a ‘fuddle’ is

Christmas is the perfect time to have a fuddle! The word, of course, means to have a gathering involving food, where those invited all make contributions to the spread.

2. Have a walk at Wollaton Park after Christmas dinner

Many of us need a walk after Christmas dinner (mainly to avoid falling asleep). Make sure you get back in time for the King’s Speech!

3. Eat mushy peas

Most people would associate mushy peas with fish and chips, rather than a Christmas dinner. But here in Nottingham that’s not how we roll!

4. Eat Nobby Greens

If you said to someone not from Nottingham ‘I’m going to be tucking in to a plate of Nobby Greens on Christmas Day’, you’d probably have a very confused face staring back at you.

As those native to the city will know, Nobby Greens is a colloquialism referring to Brussels Sprouts.

5. Boxing Day swim at Spring Lakes Water Sports

This one certainly won’t be to everyone’s taste, but why not blow away the Christmas cobwebs by going for a Boxing Day swim at Spring Lakes Water Sports in Long Eaton?

It might be best to give swimming a miss if you’ve had a skinful on Christmas Day.

6. Day trip to Skegness to burn off some Christmas calories

Nottingham is slightly lacking in the beach department, being in the middle of the country. But the Lincolnshire coast is just a couple of hours away from the city, making it the perfect place for a Boxing Day walk.