On coming into the road—North Sherwood-street-visitors should walk to the top of it, and the Church Cemetery will be reached. This is thirteen acres in extent. Down the right-hand path there is a remarkable series of caverns, scooped out of the living rock. These caverns are exceedingly well adapted for catacombs and interments, and if the original plan be carried out, the Cemetery will, as a whole, perhaps stand unsurpassed in the kingdom. The tombs and monuments, which are numerous, present' most beautiful specimens of the sculptor's art. This Cemetery is well laid out, and is neatly kept. Viewing the north-west part of the country beyond the Cemetery, a diversity in the landscape is presented which the eye marvels at, and which the pen can but inadequately describe. In the centre are the populous manufacturing districts of Old Radford, Hyson Green, New Basford, and Carrington, now all absorbed into the Borough, whilst in the distance, to the left, is Wollaton Hall and Park, the former one of the most perfect specimens of English domestic architecture in the country. To the north may be descried a beautiful mansion, Bestwood Lodge, the seat of His Grace the Duke of St. Albans. As it were in a deep valley, is the picturesque Race-course and cricket Grounds, rendered more beautiful by a number of well arranged and profusely planted public walks. This race-course, lying in a valley, is one of the most prettily situated courses in the United Kingdom and spectators can see the whole of it, which is a mile and a quarter in circumference. Races are held here in spring and in autumn. The Grand Stand, near the centre, is not an elegant structure. The broad road skirting "the Forest" (as this locality is designated) is "the Gregory Boulevard," and is part of a belt round the commercial portion of the town.
A penny tram ride carries passengers nearly the length of Forest-road, starting from and to the Cemetery gates. This road runs along one side of the church Cemetery, and is a residential district. A little distance beyond the Cemetery, and on the same side of the road, is a brick structure of Gothic design—" the-Congregational Institute "—an Independent College for the training of about fifty students, who are non-resident. It was erected about 1867. On the left-hand side, partly hidden by a lofty stone wall, is the rear of "the High School" for boys.
Beyond the Race-course, and opposite the end of the Boulevard and the Police Station, is the Forest House; and just beyond, on the right-hand of the road, at the corner of Redcliffe-road, in Carrington, is an United Methodist Chapel, of neat design, and with a small tower and spire. A little distance beyond, opposite Mapperley Park and Hall, is the tram terminus, from which the journey to the Market-place may be made (fare 2d.)
Opposite the Cemetery gates is St. Andrew's Church—a striking landmark. Proceeding along the south side of this sacred edifice—Mapperley-road—past a number of superior residences, visitors will shortly arrive at St. Ann's Hill, or Belle Vue Reservoir, one of the principal water supplies for the town, where a panoramic view of marvellous extent is obtained, embracing much of the town of Nottingham, the valley of the Trent, with Belvoir Castle and Leicestershire Hills in the distance. It is approached by 'a flight of steps on the right hand of the road. On the opposite side of the reservoir (around which is a walk) are two avenues—the Corporation Oaks, and Elm Avenue.
Passing down the latter slope, visitors will emerge into Mansfield-road (a very broad highway, which is lined with trees—the first tree being planted December 9, 1863). Here they may meet with a passing tram-car going down the hill to the Market-place (fare 2d.) A short distance down the road, at the junction of live roads, on the right-hand side, is The Blue Coat School, designed in the Elizabethan style, standing in its own grounds, and opened in 1853. Sixty boys and twenty girls are educated here, by the funds bequeathed in 1706.
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© A P NICHOLSON | PAGE LAST UPDATED: 27 APRIL 2003