MAID MARIAN LEGACY

About the project



Funding was secured from the central government ‘Future High Street Fund’ for a scheme that will improve connectivity within the city centre by changing the highway layout. The funding was awarded to deliver schemes that were intended to ‘renew and reshape the Nottingham high street in a way that improves experience, drives growth, and ensures future sustainability’. 

The large roundabout where Maid Marian Way meets Derby Road and Lower Parliament Street is in the process of being completely transformed into a T-junction, creating an area safer for cycling and walking as well as an improved public realm on an important gateway into the city. The existing roundabout layout is challenging for pedestrians and cyclists, acting as a barrier to movement between the city centre, Derby Road and the theatre/Castle area to the west of Maid Marian Way. 

BACKLIT Gallery, It’s In Nottingham, and Nottingham City Council are working in partnership to commission a new public artwork at the former Maid Marian roundabout, located near the Premier Inn. The space will also feature a vibrant rain garden filled with water-loving plants, designed to add beauty, attract wildlife, and help prevent flooding.

The process has been shaped by public engagement alongside BACKLIT Gallery’s community of artists, communicating with them from the beginning. A public survey was launched to gather input on the type of art people wanted to see, how it might represent Nottingham, and their thoughts on the theme of Maid Marian. This survey was widely distributed and received 137 responses. The feedback directly informed both the selection of artists we approached and the development of the artist brief.

         


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PUBLIC VOICE

Your feedback on Maid Marian



“She is one of Nottingham’s most legendary women, and she deserves recognition in her own right.”

“Our sense of identity is deeply connected to where we come from. Exploring social structures, belonging, and empowerment helps us understand how history shapes our present.”

“Marian’s identity is intrinsically tied to gender, so much so that ‘Maid’ is often treated as part of her name. A project centered on her naturally lends itself to conversations about women’s rights: choice, safety, and equality.”“Unity, respect, and tolerance lay the foundation for a thriving community, one that values its people, its environment, and its shared history.”

“Addressing social inequalities, particularly those tied to race and class, is essential in understanding the divisions that shape our society.”

“Introduced later into folklore, she may have been influenced by figures like the Virgin Mary or other legendary women of her time. She is nearly always tied to Robin Hood, acting as both his equal and his opposite. Today, she is often depicted as a symbol of strength, justice, and independence.”“Unearthed cultural histories and overlooked voices deserve recognition. Celebrating individuals from these backgrounds helps shine a light on heritage that has gone unheard for too long.”

“Feeling connected to the place you live fosters pride and responsibility. When people take pride in their city, they are more likely to care for it and strengthen community bonds.”

“It’s rare for a city to have a female symbolic figure, making this a unique opportunity to celebrate the women of Nottingham’s past, present, and future.”

“Her story is shrouded in mystery, making her all the more fascinating. It’s time she was honored for who she truly was.”


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FUNDING

How the project is funded





Funding for the Maid Marian Way project, including the public art, was secured from the central government ‘Future High Street Fund’. The funding was awarded in order to deliver schemes that were intended to ‘renew and reshape the Nottingham high street in a way that improves experience, drives growth, and ensures future sustainability’. 

The overall Maid Marian Way project, which will see the previous roundabout replaced by a traffic light controlled T-junction with pedestrian crossings and improved cycling facilities, is expected to be complete by summer 2025.


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