Nottingham Medieval Walkway Reopens After Century
A medieval walkway in Nottingham, England, lost for nearly a century is finally reopening after being rediscovered by Janine Tanner. The historic steps, long covered by weeds and debris, are now being restored to public use as part of ongoing efforts to reclaim and celebrate the city's medieval urban heritage.
- The walkway, known as Long Stairs, is believed to be over 500 years old and is one of the last of its kind in the city, connecting the lower part of the city to the upper part. Many other historic walkways, such as Drury Hill, were demolished in the 20th century for redevelopment projects like the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre. - Before its closure in 1933 due to safety concerns, Long Stairs and the surrounding Narrow Marsh area were notorious for crime, including murders. The area was characterized by slum housing and was a hub for industries like tanneries and lace making during the Industrial Revolution. - Janine Tanner, a local historian, rediscovered the steps in 2017 after researching the Lace Market area and coming across old photographs. At the time of her discovery, the walkway was completely overgrown with thick weeds and littered with rubbish. - The restoration has been a significant volunteer effort led by Tanner. The "Long Stairs Restoration Project" was initiated in 2019, and the total cost for a full restoration is estimated to be £36,000, with fundraising efforts ongoing. - Restoration work has included a five-month cleaning process in 2018, securing wobbly upper flights of stairs, installing safety handrails, and raising a low wall to protect visitors from a 40-foot drop. - As part of the project, a cave located off the steps, which had been bricked up since the 1870s, has been unbricked for the first time in decades. - While most of the restoration is complete, the plan is to open Long Stairs for school trips, group visits, and events, re-integrating it into the city's heritage landscape. Even before the full public reopening, the steps have been used for educational visits and were lit up for the city's annual Night Light event. - The walkway's revival is seen as a vital part of preserving Nottingham's history, especially in the context of the redevelopment of the nearby Broadmarsh area. A blue plaque and a street sign have been installed to mark the historic location.
