Excellent local museum about DH Lawrence. If you've never been and you're a local, you really need…read moreto. Anyone who's interested in DH Lawrence must visit too. Really friendly and knowledgable staff.

There's a bit of a literary/cultural trail in Nottinghamshire, and popping out to Eastwood on a…read morepilgrimage to Lawrence's birthplace should be part of the grand tour. It's the humble home of a collier's family, furnished as it would have been in his childhood - the front parlour kept for best. Interesting to realise where he finished, given where he started. Really worth making the time to visit. [Follow the trail around the town if you've got the time too] http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/notable%20houses/dhlawrence%20house.htm

Newstead Abbey Museum in Nottingham is an absolutely outstanding place to visit and easily one of…read morethe most memorable heritage attractions I have been to. From the moment you arrive the setting alone is breathtaking. The abbey is surrounded by beautiful grounds lakes and woodland that instantly make you feel calm and immersed in history before you even step inside. It is the kind of place where you want to take your time explore slowly and really soak everything in. The museum itself is fascinating and exceptionally well presented. The history of the abbey is rich and layered from its origins as an Augustinian priory to its later life as the ancestral home of Lord Byron. Each room feels thoughtfully curated and full of character with original features artworks furniture and displays that genuinely bring the past to life. The storytelling throughout the museum is engaging and easy to follow whether you are already interested in history or just curious to learn something new. What truly sets Newstead Abbey apart however is the staff. Every single member of the team I encountered was incredibly helpful friendly and welcoming. They go above and beyond to make visitors feel comfortable and informed. Their knowledge is genuinely impressive and it is clear they are passionate about the abbey and its history. Questions are answered with enthusiasm and depth and conversations never feel rushed. Their insights added so much to the visit and made the experience feel personal rather than just observational. The atmosphere throughout the museum is warm and inviting and there is a real sense of pride from the people who work there. It feels like a place that is deeply cared for and respected. Even on a busy day the experience felt relaxed and well managed with plenty of space to explore at your own pace. Outside the abbey the grounds are just as impressive. The gardens are beautifully maintained and offer stunning views at every turn. Whether you are interested in photography a peaceful walk or simply sitting and enjoying the scenery there is something for everyone. It is easy to spend several hours here without feeling like you have run out of things to do. Overall Newstead Abbey Museum is a must visit in Nottingham. It combines history beauty and outstanding hospitality in a way that few places manage to achieve. Thanks to the knowledgeable friendly and genuinely kind staff this is not just a museum but an experience that stays with you long after you leave. I would highly recommend it to locals tourists families and anyone with even a slight interest in history or culture. I will definitely be returning.

http://www.newsteadabbey.org.uk/…read more Yet another near-derelict former-country-pile-former-Abbey in Nottinghamshire!! Once home to George Gordon "Lord" B. and all his excesses and eccentricities, this bohemian pile in its glorious grounds is a wonderful place to visit. Look around the house, wander around the beautifully landscaped gardens, eat, get married, or just play a ball game in the grounds. [The horses are no longer allowed inside though! ;) ]

RAF Coningsby, on the B1192 south of Horncastle, Lincolnshire. About half a mile from Coningsby…read morevillage, 13 miles north-east of Sleaford on the A153. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operates a Lancaster, five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, two Chipmunks, and a Dakota. In 1986, it became possible to view these historic aircraft, at their base at RAF Coningsby. In the years immediately following World War Two it became traditional for a Spitfire and Hurricane to lead the Victory Day flypast over London . From that event there grew the idea to form an historic collection of flyable aircraft, initially to commemorate the RAF's major battle honour. Since it began in 1957, the aircrew on the Flight have been drawn from volunteers who maintain the 12 historic aircraft both at Coningsby and out on the display circuit. Visitors are led on a guided tour around the BBMF hangar by knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteer guides, who give freely of their time and who, in many cases, have first hand experience of the aircraft Entry to the exhibition centre, souvenir shop and car park is free; there is a small charge for guided tours of the hangar, with special rates for groups Well stocked shop offering an extensive range of aviation gifts. There is a permanent exhibition gallery exploring Lincolnshire's links with the RAF plus regular programme of temporary exhibitions. Open Monday to Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm Guided tours of the hangar from 10.30am - 3.30pm (3.00pm November - February) but of course in show season they cannot guarantee certain planes will be there. You will see them flying somewhere though. These are REAL planes folkand I love 'em!

This museum is located inside Nottingham Castle…read more When we visited there was a large display on the top floor by the Laura Knight, but I assume this is regularly changed. It also has a nistory of Nottingham display which we did not see due to a lack of time. Hopefully we'll go back another day to see the rest. The ground floor also houses the Sherwood Forester's Regimental museum (reviewed seperately) The musem is large and spacious and has a coffee shop and gift shop on the ground floor. This is access for the disabled, and all floors have stairs and lift access.

There are great views of Nottingham from the Museum part of the Castle grounds and some lovely…read moreexhibitions on too. My daughter liked the gift shop so she could spend some of her pocket money and theres a cafe too. We spent most of our time wondering around the Castle gardens but would like to go back and see some more. We did go in to the part that has the Forester's Regiment things, like old uniforms and books of service which I really liked. Definatley worth a visit.

Okay, this was amazing, and so was out tour guide, who was happy to entertain my question regarding…read moreRobin Hood using them to sneak into and out of Nottingham. So, they are actually a bunch of caves underneath the city, and it actually looked like people lived down here. Honestly, it really did have a Dungeons and Dragons air about it.

These caves were amazing. Our tour guide, Meg, was very informative but didn't talk too much. She…read moregave us space to explore and didn't rush us. She also took special care to make sure the little kid with us could see. Our group, however, were an interesting bunch. Tour guide: "what goes well with poo?" Woman: "oh I dunno, toast, maybe?" Later on... Tour guide: "move closer, I don't bite" Man: "I do!!" We learned a lot about cesspits, wells, tanning, bomb shelters, pubs, criminals, and homeless people. Our favorite bit was the room dedicated to a world war 2 bomb shelter where we could even try on a gas mask! This one, don't worry, had no asbestos. I think. If you have spare time, about half an hour, head on over to the city caves and explore. Maybe even grab yourself a nice souvenir from the gift shop!

Wollaton Hall and its Natural History Museum in Nottingham is truly an exceptional place to visit…read moreand easily one of the most impressive heritage sites in the region. From the moment you approach the magnificent Elizabethan mansion you are greeted with architecture that feels almost otherworldly. The hall stands proudly at the top of the hill surrounded by vast parkland roaming deer and beautifully maintained grounds. The setting alone is enough to make the trip worthwhile but what awaits inside is even more remarkable. The Natural History Museum housed within the hall is extensive captivating and full of fascinating detail. Every gallery is thoughtfully curated with exhibits that span everything from fossils and geology to wildlife specimens and cultural artefacts from around the world. The displays are rich with information yet accessible and inviting even for those who may not usually be drawn to natural history. There is a sense of wonder in each room whether you are standing in front of the towering dinosaur skeletons learning about ancient civilizations or examining the intricate details of preserved animals. What truly elevates the experience at Wollaton Hall is the staff. Every member of the team I encountered was incredibly helpful friendly and knowledgeable. Their passion for the museum its collections and the history of the hall is evident in every conversation. They answer questions with genuine enthusiasm sharing insights that you would not find on the information boards and they are always eager to help visitors get the most out of their visit. Whether offering historical context pointing out details you might have missed or simply greeting guests with warm smiles they create an atmosphere that is welcoming and engaging. The staff's knowledge is especially impressive. They speak with confidence and depth about the collections and their enthusiasm is infectious. It is clear that they take real pride in their work and in preserving and sharing the stories held within the museum. This level of personal connection and dedication makes the visit feel even more meaningful. The hall itself is stunning inside and out. Its rooms are filled with ornate architectural details historic artwork and glimpses into the lives of the people who lived there centuries ago. Wandering through the halls feels like stepping into a different time period and the museum's design allows you to explore both the historical building and the natural history collections seamlessly. The parkland surrounding Wollaton Hall is an added delight with peaceful walking paths lakes and of course the famous deer that roam freely. It is easy to spend an entire day here exploring the grounds taking in the scenery and enjoying the blend of history nature and culture. In every aspect Wollaton Hall and its Natural History Museum exceed expectations. The combination of breathtaking architecture immersive exhibits and exceptional staff creates a truly unforgettable experience. It is a place that appeals to families history enthusiasts nature lovers and curious visitors of all kinds. I cannot recommend it highly enough and I will definitely be returning.

Wollaton Hall is a superb Tudor-era mansion on a small but notable hill a little north-west off the…read morecity centre of Nottingham. It is home to a natural history museum caught in time, i.e. given today's plethora of information and entertainment in the form of TV/cinema documentaries, not really exciting or essential any more. Still, the architectural minutiae, the lovely surrounding deer park and the occasional special events - such as the vintage cars and bikes display when I was there - merit a visit. The architecture of Wollaton Hall is terrific, but the museum inside is quite a bit dated and truly feels like an old style museum trapped in time. Good thing then, that when I visited in early October, there was a congregation of collectors of classic cars and bikes, which added tremendously to the overall excitement. The deer park is as vast as it is attractive. All of these are/were free of charge, and there are several cafés strewn across the grounds. There is also an industrial history museum. Since Nottingham is rather short on attractions (there's Nottingham Castle, and not much beyond that!), Wollaton Hall is the runner-up!

The Derby Museum and Art Gallery is a very decent "general purpose museum", especially for a…read moresmaller town. Its main claim to fame is the outstanding collection of paintings by the important 18th century artist Joseph Wright, but you will also find mummies, and regional archaeological and natural history exhibits at this place - the latter will of course attract mostly school children. The second floor is reserved for temporary exhibitions, and when I visited there was a rather attractive one on the 20th century painter Marion Adnams. The entry is free, and photography is allowed. The attached café is only so-so, and the presentation a bit old-fashioned (and the building itself butt-ugly on the outside!). Again, mostly of note for its Joseph Wright collection.

For a relatively small city, the museum is full of interesting pieces, the showcase being the…read moreegyptian mummy of the top floor. Others include a great selection of creepy crawly's and stuffed animals in the natural history section. You'll also find out about Derby's Viking history and the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Well worth a visit, especially with children.

A fascinating perspective on the contributions by the people of the Manchester area to major…read moreinnovations in science and industry throughout history. Numerous displays and examples of equipment and machinery large and small. Steam engines to electron microscopes on display, with emphasis on Manchester's relationship with the cotton industry, both good and bad. Something for everyone here, young and old. Free to enter, donations appreciated. Reservations will make sure that you don't need to wait for entry. A must-see if you are in the area.

Fantastic place for families with children! Adults can enjoy the many exhibits while young ones can…read moreenjoy the hands on displays. We liked watching the textile demonstration in the Textile area. This place has so much to see and do. And it's free! Contributions are gladly accepted to keep this fabulous museum operational.

For a small museum tucked away from the main street this is not a bad little place for an hour or…read moreso. The best thing they do is summer activities in conjunction with the council. Depressingly underused and I'd recommend this place and the activities as we'll lose it otherwise. And that would be a shame. I wouldn't advise travelling far for this museum but if you're near the it's certainly worth a punt.

Good museum, little hidden away from main area. Often hold great activities in the summer for…read morechildren. Nice themed areas such as victorian kitchen and air raid shelter.

This is a very impressive museum full of artifacts and exhibits. We loved everything about this…read moremuseum and the best part was the entrance is free! They have artifacts from Egypt, Africa, and many locations. They have quite a bit of wild animal exhibits representing the different species in the UK. They have a nice cafe to sit and rest also. They have a lift. I definitely recommend this museum. So nice and so much to see.

Imagine it is 150 years ago, and you are a rich, white English dude. You travel the world and…read moresimply help yourself to whatever catches the fancy of your magpie little brain. You plunder flora and fauna, antiquities, important cultural objects from other peoples. You compete with other rich, white dudes to create the biggest collection of the most random things someone could think of. "I have one of every butterfly on each of the inhabited continents!" "Oh yeah, my stuffed 2-toed sloth is bigger than yours!" Fast forward to the present, and the current caretakers of this hodgepodge of objects of dubious provenance are tasked with creating cohesive exhibits for the public. There are some really interesting pieces in the museum. I was able to hold a 2,000 year-old carved stone perfum vial. See the cross section of a turtle skeleton (so cool how the spines follow the inner curve of the shell), admire a stuffed porcupine. It was fascinating to think about what caught the fancy of people in the past. I would have loved to have seen more discussion of how these objects came to be, and what that tells us about classism, racism, and the history of imperialism. Be that as it may, I'm glad to see that someone's past light fingeredness is at least entertaining and educating the public today, instead of collecting dust in a storage facility somewhere.