Whilst in Nottingham (UK) recently, I came across a shop that I think every vintage retro/vintage shopper will love. Maybe you’ve already been and seen it, or you’ve found something even better – if you have, do tell.
Nottingham is not far from from Derby, with plenty of historic charm and of course, another great shopping city, perfect for an idle wander and vintage shopper – it seems!

Nottingham City Centre
Sue Ryder Vintage and Retro Shop
I came across this shop. It made me do a double take as I glanced through the window and unassuming entrance. @suerydernottingham
I wanted to share this because I love a nosey around antiques/vintage stores. You can find really interesting, rare and great quality bits if you’re lucky. Mainstream modern shops can get a bit boring, same old same old, often lacking in character – so it’s great to mix things up.
I thought Sue Ryder was just a run of the mill charity shop. I had no idea they did these specialist branches – great idea.
I had a lovely chat with the lady working in the shop that day, and she told me there is another one of these specialist vintage stores in Leicester. Coincidently I happened to be in Leicester not long after and found it, but it’s a very small version, no furniture – nothing like the Nottingham store.
I spent ages looking and soaking it all up, the ambience of the shop and all the unbelievably quirky bits and bobs on display – like you would in a museum. They’re easy going about talking photographs, they just ask that you link them on your social media – fair enough!
The Rise of Vintage Shopping
There were quite a few vintage shops in Nottingham (and just generally, there seem to be a lot more in towns and cities these days)…is vintage becoming the new ‘new’? Seems like it, judging by its popularity across social media platforms and mushrooming high street boutiques.
“While adopting a greener mindset, consumers have fallen for the romance of archival looks. There’s just something about vintage pieces that is extra special” Vogue, Biggest Vintage Trends of 2022

Another random vintage shop in a beautiful building
Other observations
Before this – it had been years and years since I’d last visited Nottingham to catch up with a friend. It’s strange how the city didn’t seem anything like the memories I had, maybe my memories of it had faded or it’s simply changed a lot.
I vaguely remember going on a trip through Sherwood Forest many years ago back in my school days, but it’s all a blur now – wish I’d taken some pictures, or it might be nice to do it again at some point.
Cat cafes
Are these coming to a town near you? I saw a big cat cafe in Nottingham, with lots of cats inside and plenty of sofas and chairs to sit – amidst wandering cats. I also remember seeing one in Liverpool, and another one in York, where the queue to get inside was spreading down the street. Seems like a growing trend.
When I read about the owl cafes people visit in Japan, I liked the sound of visiting one of those, but now I don’t think I’d be so keen on the idea. Owls shouldn’t be cooped up in cafes – unless they choose to fly by!

Owl street art: spotted along the Nottingham Canal
The buses
I don’t think I’ve been to any town or city where the buses are not all an agreed colour. Like London, they picked red and everyone’s clear on that.
In Nottingham the buses are every colour under the sun. Red, yellow, pink, brown, different shades of blue, green, purple…..
Nottingham couldn’t decide.
Interesting shop fronts

Spaghetti anyone?

Who is the brightest of them all….

Where magicians stock up on tricks!

Lots of ornate architecture
Spot of lunch with interesting chandeliers
Lastly, a few interesting things about Nottingham
- “Nottingham is a very historic city, and is reputed to be one of the most haunted cities in the UK.” Travel Moments in Time
- “Nottingham was originally called Snotengaham. It was ruled by a Saxon chief named Snot, and the name translates to the homestead of Snot’s people.”/caves ‘ JSVXC blog
- “Nottingham has the biggest market square in England, at 5.5 acres” Nottinghamshire Live

Market Square behind the tram
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equinoxio21
Thank you for yet another walk. Vintage, vintage… you must be an Enid Blyton fan… 😉
Cherryl
Lol, not really – popular children’s author way back in the day. The vintage fashion and home interiors scene is more of a growing trend on the UK high streets these days though, great for a curious browse✨
equinoxio21
I can imagine. Strangely enough I read Blyton, so did my daughters, and “curiouser”, I’ve met many bloggers from India, young who adore Blyton. looks like she still is a hit in India.
That’s a nice trend. I like vintage and antiques. Our house is full of them…
Cheers Cherryl.
Cherryl
India and Emid – that’s interesting. When I visited India – I remember my guide saying that on the whole, anyone who can read and write English is considered ‘a scholar’ in India (hefty title), so I guess they hold a lot of those English classics in very high esteem too. Vintage and antique bits always add a lot of character to a home, love that 🏡
equinoxio21
A scholar… Love that. Did they call you “ma’amji”? (ji is a diminutive in Hindi)
I can’t argue with vintage. My daughters joke that their inheritance will be conditioned on an exam: date and origin of each object… 😉 (they’ll probably both fail. LOL)
Cherryl
India – I don’t remember hearing that term no….namaste seemed to be the order of the day.
Sounds like your daughters will inherit some rare treasures 😊 hopefully they’ll scrape through the exam!!
equinoxio21
Namaste indeed.
The exam is a joke of course, but I do need to put together some sort of inventory. The history of each object/painting… (So little time, so much to do…) 😉
Cherryl
The inventory is a great idea, it will be nice for them to look back and remember where each piece came from etc…and any little story behind them ✨
equinoxio21
Indeed. All part of a larger family history… Have a great week Cherryl
maryannniemczura
What lovely photos and so colorful! Vintage clothing shops yield interesting finds! Thanks for this great post!
Cherryl
Thank you, you’re so right 🤗
Rachel
I have been to Nottingham but only briefly. It looks like it’s worth going back there.
Cherryl
I’d say so, since I was quite pleasantly surprised myself, it seemed a lot bigger as well 😊✨
jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques
Looks just like what I love-vintage shops. Are all the restrictions gone now in UK? I’ve been wanting to travel again, but I want to enjoy myself not be hounded by too many restrictions. Great post. I enjoyed reading it.
Cherryl
Thanks Jenny 😊 The vintage scene is on the rise for sure, everywhere I go I’m noticing this and it never gets boring!!
Yes it seems like all the restrictions are pretty much redundant in the UK at the moment (forms/tests/vaccines/masks) so it’s a good time to visit. 🤗
Most up to date info:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19
jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques
Great. Thanks for providing the link. I am ready to travel. Your blog has some very interesting articles about traveling. I enjoy reading it. Have a wonderful week.
Cherryl
Thank you and have a lovely week too, and happy and safe travels ahead 🔆💫
jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques
You’re very welcome. I’ll continue reading your blog for more travel ideas. . .It will probably be next spring before I can go somewhere, so I am gathering information right now. . .hopefully all will go well. . .Thanks, again. . .
Cherryl
🙏😊💫
debscarey
Never been to Nottingham, but what a cool city I’m missing out on! Your post was filled with such a lot of goodies it was hard to pick out just one. I especially loved the funky chandeliers and the closing picture’s bit of street art 🙂
Cherryl
Thanks Debs, Nottingham definitely seemed a lot bigger and more cosmopolitan than I’d remembered, and yes, worth a visit 😊
Awakening Wonders
Loved reading your adventure through the vintage shops of Nottingham!
pvcann
So enjoyed that, my birth town.
equinoxio21
Is that right? You a Sheriff’s man or a Sherwood man? 😉
pvcann
😉 Sherwood man through and through, down with the sheriff 🙂
equinoxio21
I expected no less.
Sheila Landry Designs
I truly loved seeing your photos of this beautiful place. I would so love to visit! Thank you!
Cherryl
Glad you enjoyed the snaps Sheila, thank you 😊