Museums & heritage in Nottingham

Bestwood Country Park

Nottingham

650 acres of hilly park with a Victorian winding engine house to explore and a volunteer-run café open Saturday mornings.

Baby changeCaféFree parkingParking+3 more

Canalside Heritage Centre

Beeston, Nottinghamshire

Historic canalside cottages at Beeston Lock with a Victorian cottage to explore and a garden café with river views.

Clifton Woods

Nottingham

A big, history-filled riverside woodland near Clifton with hidden ruins to hunt for, dog friendly and served by local buses.

Dog friendly

Creswell Crags

Worksop

A gorge, caves and museum where under-18s get in free and the 1.5-mile loop walk is buggy-doable but caves are steps-only.

Baby changeCaféDog friendlyFirst aid+5 more

D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum

The Eastwood terraced house where D.H. Lawrence was born, run by Broxtowe Council, a small heritage stop rather than a big day out.

Felley Priory Garden

Nottinghamshire

A quiet 2.5-acre plant-lovers' garden near the M1 - pushchair-friendly with a few uneven bits, free entry for under-16s and free parking, but no dogs or picnics.

CaféFree parkingGift shopParking+2 more

Framework Knitters Museum

Ruddington

Real Victorian knitting frames still in action, a hands-on knitting machine for kids, and a free-to-enter café/shop even on museum closed days.

CaféGift shopPicnic areaToilets+1 more

Green's Windmill & Science Centre

Nottingham

Free-entry restored windmill, science centre and garden in Nottingham, climb the mill (when not under repair), try science experiments, and let the kids run round the community garden.

Gift shopOutdoor playPicnic areaToilets

Kings Mill Reservoir

Sutton in Ashfield

Waterside reserve with a dog-friendly café plus a proper adventure base, high ropes, zip wires and an airbag drop you can just turn up and pay for.

CaféDog friendlyParkingWheelchair accessible

Lakeside Arts

Nottingham

University of Nottingham's public arts centre with theatre, galleries and museum, set beside Highfields Park lake.

CaféFree parkingGift shopParking+2 more

Laxton

Laxton

The last village in England still farming medieval open fields, walk the castle mound and the visitor centre is open dawn to dusk.

National Civil War Centre, Newark

Newark

Civil War history museum in Newark with a much-loved dressing-up area for kids and a multilingual object trail to keep them hunting through the galleries.

CaféGift shopParkingToilets+1 more

Newark Air Museum

Newark · ages 5+

A huge, mostly outdoor aircraft collection kids can wander and climb around near, with free parking and dog-friendly grounds, allow at least 3 hours.

Baby changeCaféDog friendlyFirst aid+6 more

Newstead Abbey

Ravenshead

300 acres of parkland, a play park and trail sheets to grab at the gate, kids 15 and under go free with a paying adult.

Baby changeCaféDog friendlyGift shop+5 more

Nottingham Industrial Museum

Nottingham

Volunteer-run heritage museum in Wollaton Hall's stables, free entry for accompanied kids, five hands-on galleries, and monthly Steaming Days when the engines actually run.

CaféGift shopParking

Papplewick Pumping Station

Nottingham · ages 0+

A Victorian waterworks with real steam-powered beam engines, a play area and free parking, best on one of the eight steam weekends a year when everything's actually running.

CaféDog friendlyFree parkingGift shop+5 more

The Harley Gallery

Worksop

Free contemporary art gallery on the Welbeck estate with free parking, a kids' creative activity space and monthly Discover Art! sessions for children.

Baby changeFree parkingGift shopParking+1 more

The Workhouse and Infirmary

Southwell

A rare, atmospheric Georgian workhouse and Victorian infirmary near Southwell, kids' trails and costumed characters bring the history alive, with free parking a short walk away.

CaféDog friendlyFree parkingGift shop+4 more

Thoresby Park

Newark

A 400-year Nottinghamshire estate with 150 acres of parkland, woodland and gardens, a new play park, courtyard shops, cafe and a free military museum, good for a picnic and a wander with buggies.

CaféGift shopOutdoor playParking+1 more

Wollaton Hall & Deer Park

Nottingham

Elizabethan mansion in 500 acres of deer park, kids go free, there's a dinosaur gallery, play parks and wild deer roaming right by the paths.

Baby changeCaféDog friendlyGift shop+7 more