The reason you can't see where one Nottingham area ends and another begins on Google Maps

The Lace Market and Hockley areas of Nottingham have become a byword over the decades for boutique businesses, upmarket bars and quality restaurants, but the border between the two is not clear

The Lace Market and Hockley have long stood as distinguished segments of Nottingham, renowned for their niche businesses, chic bars, and fine dining spots. Recognised as perhaps the most ancient part of Nottingham, archaeological finds near Belward Street suggest origins dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries AD.

Visit Nottinghamshire lauds these areas for their distinct personalities, noting that "each have their own unique character". .

Yet, as clear-cut as the spirit of the Lace Market and Hockley can be, drawing a geographical line between them poses greater challenge. The separation appears blurred to residents and visitors alike, with some premises seemingly straddled by the invisible boundary spanning from Goose Gate to Woolpack Lane.

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Experts contend this vagueness has its roots in the historic development of the areas; whereas the Lace Market has held status as an official city district since medieval times, Hockley owes its name to the rather small street nestled between Goose Gate and Lower Parliament Street.

Speaking previously, Hilary Silvester, of the Nottingham Civic Society, spoke about the nature of Hockley, saying: "Hockley is just the name for that bit at the bottom and so it isn't really an area, but over the years it has come to signify all the bars, restaurants and shops selling off-beat things that are there. But it isn't an actual district so there isn't really a dividing line between Hockley and the Lace Market, and the two areas are very linked anyway, so you can't say there is a border."

She added: "I think most people would regard Hockley as running out to George Street and Broad Street at one side, and then out to the original Boots store and towards the Ice Arena on the other side."

The term 'Hockley' may be more definitive in other parts of the UK, such as the large village in Essex or the inner-city district in Birmingham, but its origins in Nottingham are less clear.

Along with Goose Gate, Hockley was historically known as Walker Gate, a name derived from the cloth fullers' practice known as 'walking', according to J. Holland Walker in 'An itinerary of Nottingham'. He noted: "In 1285 and earlier, Hockley is referred to as Walker Gate, or the residence of the cloth fullers, from the practice of 'walking', or stamping upon cloth to make it 'full' or felty after weaving."

The origin of Hockley's name remains a mystery, as does the reason behind sharing its name with a notorious London district, Hockley-in-the-Hole, infamous for its thieves and illicit activities. Hilary Silvester added: "People would say they had got some shopping in Hockley, when what they really meant was Goose Gate. There are areas all over the country where the name of a street has grown to be used for a whole area of shops and restaurants."

In 2023, Nottinghamshire Live covered the launch of a project highlighting Hockley's past 100 years.