Angel Row - How this Nottingham street near Old Market Square earned its heavenly name

As such a historic city, it’s unsurprising that Nottingham has dozens of interesting street names. 

From Friar Lane to Norfolk Place, each street name around the city centre has its own unique backstory, often dating back hundreds of years. 

It’s thought that Nottingham as a settlement dates back to the 6th century, although most of the street names as we know them today were conceived over the past few centuries. 

Thousands of people walk, drive or cycle along the city’s streets every day without ever considering the history of the area they are in. 

With this in mind, we’ve decided to show one of the most-used city centre streets, Angel Row, some love. 

Connecting Old Market Square with Chapel Bar and Mount Street to the north, Angel Row is one of the busiest roads in the area.

The street is home to the famous Bromley House Library, which was established in 1816. 

How Angel Row earned its name

You would be forgiven for thinking that Angel Row’s name has something to do with religion, but this is not the case. 

The most popular theory, in fact, is far more simple and involves a popular establishment that still exists today. 

According to the Nottingham Hidden History Team, the name Angel Row derives from a public house called The Angel, which existed many centuries ago. 

The pub has long since been demolished, but the site where it once stood serves a similar function today. 

The left side of the Bell Inn, located at the southern end of Angel Row, is believed to be where the Angel Inn stood before it vanished. 

The Bell Inn claims to be one of the oldest pubs in Nottingham, which only highlights Angel Row’s rich history. 

The pub’s name is thought to derive from the Angelus bell which once hung outside.

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