Nottingham, the regional capital of the East Midlands, is famous around the world for many things - from fine lace to football, from Robin Hood and the Sheriff to household names such as the Boots Company and Raleigh Industries. It is a cosmopolitan city, with a diversity of cultures, and countryside close at hand. It's a great place in which to live and work - and to those who know Nottingham it came as no surprise that in a recent national survey it was voted the best city in the country in which to live.

The city combines the best of old and new. Shoppers have excellent modern shopping centres and traditional markets. Cultural life thrives, with a superb modern concert hall attracting well know names from the classical, pop and rock worlds, and two theatres - including the lovingly restored Theatre Royal.

These provide both repertory productions and touring opera, drama and ballet from major national companies. Film buffs have varied viewings at multi-screen and arts cinemas and there is a lively rock scene. If sport is more to your taste, there is also a wide choice of first class cricket, top level soccer, horse racing, tennis, watersports, golf and motor sport.

Although Nottingham is a modern city, it is also proud of its history and heritage. There are a variety of excellent and unusual museums featuring natural history, science, costume and textiles, canals and local history.

Many fine old buildings remain in the city, including the 15th century church of St Mary on High Pavement, Georgian town houses and several picturesque pubs. Some have medieval origins: The Trip to Jerusalem at the foot of Castle Rock, reputedly the oldest pub in England, the Bell Inn, the Royal Children and the Salutation Inn. A former Unitarian church on the fringe of the city's Lace Market area is now converted into a Lace Hall, illustrating the history of Nottingham's most famous product.

Early October brings Goose Fair, the country's largest three-day fair, believed to date back more that 1,000 years. The modern fair, packed with hundreds of amusements, becomes at night a spectacular carpet of lights.

Nottingham and the surrounding county offer the chance to explore literary associations. Contemporary writer Alan Sillitoe grew up in the industrial outskirts of Nottingham, enjoying his frequent roaming of the nearby University Park and lake. D.H. Lawrence made famous the mining town of Eastwood and the surrounding Nottinghamshire countryside.