Things you didn't know about... Nottingham

Lady Chatterley's lover's links to Nottingham University
His controversial creator, DH Lawrence, started his first novel, The White Peacock, while teacher-training at University College, Nottingham from 1906 to 1908. His notebooks, manuscripts and personal letters are now stored there.

A Nottingham mayor met another big cheese
It's said that the town's First Citizen was felled by a 100 lb cheese during riots at the 1674 Goose Fair (still held annually). The cause of the riots? A steep rise in the price of cheese.

See where cavemen lived in Nottingham
Under the city are 200 man-made caves, some 9th century, where 14th-century Scottish monarch David II was imprisoned for 11 years.

Nottingham's high-profile apprentices and graduates
Famous as TV's feisty Apprentice runner-up, Sairah Khan studied here, as did trade unionist John Monks, pub-chain chairman Tim Martin and businessman Lord Hollick.

Nottingham's early socialist
Legend or not, the story of Robin Hood or Rabunhood (a 13th-century reference) seems to have arisen more from medieval stories than historical research—indeed, he may even have been a Yorkshireman! But his fugitive role, robbing the rich to help the poor, was an inspiration for centuries, and the Sheriff of Nottingham's city has long dined out on his exploits.

Famous preacher born in Nottingham in 1829
Salvation Army founder William Booth worked as a pawnbroker's assistant before becoming a street preacher and moving to London to begin his mission to the needy.

Nottingham's blooming wonderful!
The city has won the "Large City" category of the annual Britain in Bloom competition four times in the past 10 years.

Anyone for footie in Nottingham prison?
The stone carving over the courtroom doorway in Old Shire Hall originally read "County Goal' instead of "County Gaol".

Nottingham loves free speech
In 2008 Speaker's Corner came to Nottingham, promoted by comedian Eddie Izzard. Modelled on the Hyde Park original—and the first of many planned for UK cities—Nottingham's free-speech zone opened with a "Day for Debate" and a city tour. Its permanent site is Market Square.

A House of Commons designer cut his teeth in Nottingham
Interior designer of the Houses of Parliament, August Pugin, was architect of St Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham. Costing £15,000, it took three years to build, mainly in the Early English Plain Gothic style.

Ice to see you in Nottingham
Nottingham's Bolero Square is named in honour of ice skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, who became British, European and Olympic figure-skating champions. Their 1984 Winter Olympics performance to the theme of Bolero won 12 perfect scores of 6.0 in the free dance competition.