Nottingham

Nottingham was described in the early 18th century as “one of the most beautiful and pleasant towns in England”. It started off making salt glaze stoneware, and then had a flourishing hosiery industry, and later lace industry. In fact, Nottingham was recognized as one of the largest and most important towns of the time.

In the 19th century, not only were the hosiery and lace industries flourishing, but new products began to come out of Nottingham. John Player created ‘Players’ cigarettes, and a man called Frank Bowden started making bicycles in Raleigh Street, naming the company after the street. ‘Raleigh’ was soon making 50,000 bicycles a year. Nottingham was only officially made a city in 1897.