Nottingham / Places / Canalside Heritage Centre
Canalside Heritage Centre
Canalside Heritage Centre, 2-3 Weir Cottages, Canal Side, Beeston, Nottinghamshire
WHERE
Beeston, Nottinghamshire
WHAT IT’S LIKE
Historic canalside cottages at Beeston Lock with a Victorian cottage to explore and a garden café with river views.
Canalside Heritage Centre is set in the historic weir cottages at Beeston Lock, originally built in 1796 as homes for families who worked on the canal. The buildings were turned into a community hub and reopened to the public in 2017, and today visitors can look round a recreated Victorian lock cottage to get a sense of what canal life was like. It's a nice spot to combine with a canalside walk, there are gardens overlooking the River Trent where you can sit and enjoy lunch, making it a good stop for families out for a stroll along the water rather than a standalone big day out. The centre also runs a community events, exhibition and heritage programme. Open daily from 9.30am to 4pm. A new website is due to launch in Summer 2026 with more detail on events and exhibitions.
Areas to explore
Gardens
Gardens with views across the River Trent, used for lunch.
Victorian Lock Cottage
Recreated Victorian lock cottage showing life at Beeston Lock.