Old Market Square, Nottingham (must see)

The Domesday Book of William the Conqueror records the 1068 grant to William Peverel. The grant, called "Honour of Peverel", was for 162 manors, and present-day Nottingham. Nottingham then consisted of two towns. One was Saxon, based at St Mary's Church, and one was French, by Castle Rock. The people of the two towns did not overly love each other.

The Market Square, a great vacant area of about five acres, was the center point of the two towns. The perimeter of the square was formed by Long Row West and East, High Street, Poultry, South Parade, Beastmarket Hill and Angel Row. A wall divided the square in two. It came down in 1727. The square today covers about three acres.

The Council House dominates the Eastern end of the square. It has a wide portico with columns and a pointed roof surmounted by a classical Florentine dome. The central open space is paved with granite. There are fountains, terraces and flowerbeds. The new square is designed for events, parades, concerts and a regular farmers' market.