Museums and Galleries

Historic cottages at Beeston Lock renovated for use as a heritage, education and arts centre. Lovely teashop with children's activities available. There is also a walled garden area with toys and activities for children to play. Perfect combined with a walk along the marina.

An archaeological park where you can explore caves, gorge, and a museum. Walk in the footsteps of early humans and woolly mammoths through the gorge. You can also explore outdoors at the woodland, meadow, and reflective lake. 

Learn all about lives and work of framework knitters and their families. You can try out framework knitting for yourself and even knit your own souvenir on a vintage Griswold circular knitting machine! Also has a gallery, shop and café with a community garden.

Restored working windmill, built in the 1800s with museum and science centre. Green's Windmill also hold children's activities every school holiday including crafts, science and baking.  Outdoor area with community garden and playground nearby and sculptures to spot.

A family friendly museum with a variety of historical artefacts and exhibitions related to the history of Mansfield. All galleries have child friendly areas. The XPLORACTIVE gallery has children's activities related to the environment and Mansfield's heritage.

A small but award-winning museum that holds a collection of mainly regional archaeology covering a 250,000 year period. More suited to older children but good to pop into while at Lakeside and Highfields Park.  

Explore one of the most fascinating times in UK history and see the realities of 17th century life through the eyes of people who lived it. A range of interactive activities and objects as well as dressing up! They also hold regular family friendly events.

Learn all about the history of the legal and justice system, as well as exploring the exhibitions and meeting some historical characters!

Did you know that Nottingham has the UK's largest network of caves? More suited to older children as it is very important to be safe and careful. Take a jumper! No pram or wheelchair access. Definitely worth visiting at least once - I still remember my visit as a teen 20+ years ago!

Heritage open days are an opportunity to see some amazing vehicles and learn about the history of transport in the local area - you can even take a ride on a vintage bus! There are also displays, stalls and activities as well as a café and shop.

Celebrating the history of industry in Nottingham and the local area. See the transport gallery, textile room and steam hall. On certain days you may even get to see some steam powered machinery live and working! A great way to extend your visit to Wollaton Hall. 

Located in the beautiful Wollaton Hall, the Natural History Museum hosts a collection of 750,000 objects, ranging from fossils, minerals, plants and eggs to invertebrates, vertebrates, shells (molluscs) and taxidermy, as well as preserved ‘spirit’ animals and rare specimens from across the globe.

The Robin Hood Experience is an interactive journey back through time to the world of Robin Hood. 

A family-friendly attraction located a stone's throw from Nottingham Castle and comprises an interactive, story-based tour over three floors (not pushchair or wheelchair friendly).

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The museum explores retail life in late Victorian and early Edwardian Ruddington through a series of displays which recreate Ruddington’s shops of yesteryear. Lots of permanent exhibitions and activities for children - including vintage toys to explore and a Mole Hunt!

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A charity art organisation that collaborates with communities and artists to create and explore art of all kinds. They hold art workshops, performances, events and exhibitions - including some for children and families. 

Lakeside Arts is the University of Nottingham’s public arts programme. Situated at Highfields Park, Lakeside is a great indoor stop off after visiting the park or going for a walk round the lake. They host a variety of family friendly exhibitions and events, including children's shows and workshops.

New Art Exchange (NAE) is an award-winning creative space in the heart of Hyson Green with a focus on promoting excellence in culturally diverse contemporary arts. They have a changing programme of exhibitions, public programme, creative activities for families and young people, film screenings, festival days, and live performances. 

One of the largest contemporary art galleries in the UK.  Very child friendly with learning packs located at the front entrance, activity sheets, baby changing facilities and lifts to all floors.  Family activities every school holiday. Lovely café also. Great to pop in to while you're out in the city!

Small art gallery with café, shop and beautiful woodland where there is an artist trail. They sometimes hold workshops and classes suitable for children.