In the Domesday Book of 1086, Carlton is referred to as Carentune.
Like other parts of Nottingham, Carlton grew up with the textile industry in the 19th century. It is now mostly residential.
Until 1950, Carlton was part of the Rushcliffe parliamentary constituency. It had its own eponymous constituency from 1950 until 1983, since when it has been in the Gedling constituency. In 1974, Carlton Urban District became part of the newly formed Borough of Gedling.
The main shopping street is Carlton Hill, which has several shopping chains and smaller shops such as newsagents, chemists, and grocers. Carlton Square, the traditional centre of Carlton is today a shopping centre.
There are numerous areas of grass for children to play on, as the roads tend to be quite busy. The King George V Recreation Ground on Standhill Road is on the site of the former Standhill Brickworks,[2] and includes a large playing field, a skatepark, and a children's playground. Carlton has two leisure centres: Richard Herrod Centre (an indoor bowling centre) on Foxhill Road and Carlton Forum (a swimming pool, gym and all-weather pitches) on Coningswath Road, off Cavendish Road.
Carlton Laundry on Primrose Street is a Grade II listed building by Watson Fothergill. It was built in 1899 as a laundry and dye works.[3]
Carlton Central Primary School was founded in the late 19th century but after a piece of masonry fell one night from the roof into the school assembly area in the 1960s, the school was demolished and the council house and the current Carlton Square were built in its place. A new school had been built on Foxhill Road/Carlton Hill and Carlton Central Primary School was relocated there. The new school had originally been intended to replace the deteriorating St. Paul's School on Carlton Hill. St Paul's was closed in 1983 after many years and attempts to find a new site and financing for a new building were unsuccessful. Carlton Central Primary School is not the only primary school in Carlton. Amongst others, Porchester Junior School (which has recently been extended) is situated at the top of Standhill Road, while Carlton Standhill Infants School[4] is at the opposite end of Standhill Road.
Carlton has a number of pre schools & nurseries including Foxy Creeks Pre School (based in the Richard Herrod Centre, Foxhill Road), Good Foundations Day Nursery on Station Road and Little Owls Day Nursery on First Avenue.[5]
Carlton is home to the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama (also known as MADD).[6] It is one of the UK's top musical theatre colleges.[citation needed]
Religion
St. Paul's Church, Carlton-in-the-Willows was built by Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon and consecrated in 1885. Located at the bottom of Carlton Hill, off Church Street, it is built in the style of a Roman Basilica and resides in the diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. Carlton Pentecostal Church is located opposite the fire station on Station Road.[7]