The Leen: Nottingham's River
This exhibition runs from Thursday 9 October 2025 until Sunday 15 March 2026, at the Weston Gallery, Lakeside Arts.
This exhibition puts the Leen at the centre of the story of modern Nottingham. From its source in the Robin Hood Hills above Newstead Abbey to the River Trent at the Meadows, the River Leen connects places and communities.
Drawing on the archives of the Trent River Authority and its predecessor bodies, the materials on display show the challenges created by the growth of places like Bulwell and Basford and the expansion of industry.
These included pollution from chemicals and sewage, and changing flood risk from urban expansion. New management challenges shaped the redrawing of Nottingham’s political and economic boundaries, and in the 1960s a substantial engineering ‘Improvement Scheme’ diverted the river and fixed the channel behind steel pilings and flood walls.
The Leen: Nottingham’s River evaluates the legacies of historic interventions along the Leen for those who manage and live beside it today.
This exhibition has been jointly curated by Dr David Beckingham and Dr Rachel Dishington (School of Geography) and Manuscripts and Special Collections at the University of Nottingham. The Environment Agency’s Trentside Office, Nottingham, has provided additional input.
Exhibition themes
Further research
Items from our collections are available to consult in the Manuscripts and Special Collections reading room on King's Meadow Campus.
The exhibiition features materials from the records of the Trent River Authority and one of its employees, hydrologist H.R. Potter. The Authority's archive contains a wonderful series of photographs, some of which feature in our digital gallery.
From the blog
A selection of blogs about topics associated with the exhibition.
The Leen: Nottingham's River
Blog introducing the exhibition and the work the Environment Agency is currently involved in, including a drone flight along the river which will be available to view in the gallery.
Investigating River Leen water quality
This 2021 blog by the Blue-Green Cities team presents the findings of University of Nottingham researchers who measured water quality at ten sites along the River Leen.
Events
A series of special events will be held to accompany the exhibition. Places are limited so please book in advance with Lakeside Arts: +44(0)115 846 7777
Recordings of some of the talks will be made available on this webpage shortly.
Lunchtime Talks, Djanogly Theatre
How do we make our cities more resilient to flooding?
Dr Emily O’Donnell (School of Geography) will explain the ideas behind Sustainable Urban Drainage.
Wednesday 29 October 2025, 1pm-2pm; £3 (free concessions)
What’s living in our rivers
Professor Matthew Johnson (School of Geography) will introduce the links between aquatic life and our river systems, with research examples from across the region.
Tuesday 11 November 2025, 1pm-2pm; £3 (free concessions)
The future of the Leen
This special panel discussion introduces the work of the Environment Agency’s River Leen team and looks at the challenges and opportunities for river management
Wednesday 28 January 2026, 1pm-2pm; £3 (free concessions)
Other events
Living and working along the Leen
Come and share your memories and explore more images from the archives of local businesses such as Gerard’s/Cussons and institutions such as the QMC. Reminiscences collected at the event will be mapped to the course of the River Leen to examine how its meaning to local residents has shifted over time.
Thursday 13 November 2025 10am-4pm Weston Gallery and meeting room (free admission)
The lost Leen (walking tour)
Dr David Beckingham will lead a walk tracing the old river through Nottingham city centre. The tour will end at Castle Meadow Campus with an opportunity to see a 3D model of the city centre (distance c.1.5 miles).
Saturday 7 March 2026 2-4pm; £5
Weston Gallery tours
Join us for a walk through the exhibition and learn about the stories behind the items on display.
Free (advanced booking required)
- Wednesday 29 October 2025, 11am-12noon
- Saturday 22 November 2025, 11am-12noon
- Wednesday 28 January 2026, 11am-12noon
- Wednesday 4 February 2026, 4-5pm
We also run private tours of the Weston Gallery exhibition. Please contact Manuscripts and Special Collections if you would like to arrange one.
Follow Manuscripts and Special Collections on social media @mssUniNott https://www.instagram.com/mssuninott to keep up to date with the latest exhibition news, or read the latest issue of our free magazine, Discover.