Nottinghamshire, Nottingham, or Notts, north-midland county of England, bounded N. by Yorkshire, E. by Lincolnshire, S. by Leicestershire, and W. by Derbyshire; greatest length, N. to S., about 50 miles; greatest breadth, E. to W., about 25 miles; area, 527,752 acres, population 391,815. Towards the E., Nottinghamshire has a level surface; while westwards it is marked by gentle hills of no great elevation, which tend to impart some variety to the scenery. The eastern portion comprises the vales of the Trent and Belvoir; in the S., between the Soar and the Smite, are the Wolds, consisting of level tracts of moor and pasture; while in the W. are the remains of the royal forest of Sherwood. The Trent flows through the county from SW. to NE., and is navigable for river vessels. All the other streams are tributaries of the Trent; they include the Soar, Erwash, and Idle. By the Nottingham and Grantham Canal, and the Fosse Dyke Canal, there is connection between the Trent and the Witham. The soil is varied, but cannot be spoken of as being highly productive. Green crops are the principal growth, and the common cereals are cultivated. Hop plantations are numerous, while in proximity to Nottingham and Newark there are many market gardens. Magnesian limestone and old red sandstone overlying coal prevail in the W.; in the other districts are formations of marl, new red sandstone, and lias, with quartz and gravel in the Forest. In a few places coal is worked. The principal manufactures are laces of various descriptions, in recent years a great development being apparent in the production of lace curtains. Hosiery manufactures., woollen mills, cotton mills, and iron foundries are also actively productive. Nottinghamshire comprises 6 wapentakes, 273 parishes with parts of 5 others, the parliamentary and municipal borough of Nottingham, and the municipal boroughs of East Retford and Newark. It is almost entirely in the diocese of Southwell.
– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)
Bassetlaw Museum & Worksop Museum
Amcott House, 40 Grove Street
Retford DN22 6LD
01777 713749
Bassetlaw Museum is run by Bassetlaw District Council which covers North Nottinghamshire, and includes the two market towns of Retford and Worksop. The museum is situated in Retford town centre in Amcott House, an 18th century town house which retains many of its original features.
Brewhouse Yard – Museum of Nottingham Life
Castle Boulevard
Nottingham NG7 1FB
0115 9153700
The museum depicts the social history of Nottingham over the last 300 years. Housed in five 17th century cottages adjacent to the famous ‘Trip to Jerusalem’ public house.
Calverton Folk Museum
Main Street, Calverton
Nottingham NG14 6FG
www.calvertonvillage.com/CalMuseum.html
A museum housing period furniture and clothing, fossils, a framework knitting machine, Victorian Kitchen, living room and bedroom and displays on the history of framework knitting, invented by William Lee of Calverton. There are also tapestry pictures of village buildings.
Clumber Park – National Trust
Clumber Park
Worksop S80 3AZ
0115 9772132
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumber-park
Former site of Clumber House, Clumber Park is a perfect example of Edwardian splendour with its bridges, temples, Gothic chapel and walled kitchen garden.
Creswell Crags Museum & Education Centre
Creswell Heritage Trust, Crags Road, Welbeck
Worksop S80 3LH
01909 720378
Creswell Crags is a picturesque limestone gorge honeycombed with caves and smaller fissures. Stone tools and remains of animals excavated from the caves by archaeologists provide evidence for a fascinating story of life during the Ice Age between 60,000 and 10,000 years ago.
DH Lawrence Heritage Centre & Birthplace Museum
Mansfield Road
Eastwood NG16 3DZ
01773 717353
DH Lawrence Heritage is a multi-award winning visitor attraction celebrating one of the greatest writers of the 20th century.
East Midlands Museums Service
c/o Centre for Museum and Heritage Management, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane
Nottingham NG11 8NS
0115 848 3562
www.emms.org.uk
EMMS was founded in 1981, and incorporated as a company in 1992. We are a registered charity which serves museums of all types in the East Midlands region, operating in the historic counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland. Formally an Area Museum Council, EMMS has operated as a membership network for museums in the region since April 2002, and provides its members with a wide range of services to support them in their work.
Flintham Museum
The Reading Room, Inholms Road
Flintham NG23 5LF
01636 525111
The Flintham Museum looks at rural life through the eyes of a 20th-century village shopkeeper. Fred White, Flintham’s shop keeper from 1911-1949, was a keen amateur photographer.
Forum of East Midlands Military Museums
c/o RHQ WFR, Foresters House, Chetwynd Barracks
Chilwell NG9 5HA
0115 9465415
FEMMS’ mission is to promote all military museums within the East Midlands and their links with the community.
Galleries of Justice Museum
High Pavement, Lace Market
Nottingham NG1 1HN
0115 952 0555
www.nccl.org.uk
The Galleries of Justice Museum is a heritage site housed in the old Shire Hall in Nottingham’s Lace Market and made up of a range of Victorian courtrooms, an 18th century prison and Edwardian police station. For centuries citizens of the local community were locked up in the prison, stripped of their civil liberties in the courtroom and sometimes lost their lives, on the gallows of the front steps.
Green’s Mill & Science Centre
Green’s Windmill, Windmill Lane, Sneinton
Nottingham NG2 4QB
0115 9156878
Once home of the mathematical physicist, George Green (1793-1841). Since we opened in 1985 thousands of people have enjoyed the opportunity to look around a working windmill, buy some award-winning flour, take part in an activity, get their hands on some fun science, admire the views over the Trent valley and enjoy a cup of coffee in the millyard.
Harley Gallery, The
The Harley Gallery, Welbeck
Worksop S80 3LW
01909 501700
www.harleygallery.co.uk
Welcome to The Harley Gallery, where old and new come together. The Harley Gallery is home to the historic Portland Collection of fine and decorative art.
Hodsock Priory
Blyth
Nr Worksop S81 0TY
01909 591204
The priory epitomises country house style, with fine furnishings and a distinct elegance. The ancient trees in the park provide the perfect back drop to the long drive which sweeps under the archway of the Tudor Gatehouse, bringing you to the secluded setting of Hodsock. We have renovated the house using traditional, period and heritage wall papers, paints, fixtures and fittings – the rooms reflect as closely as possible the original 1829 styles.
Holme Pierrepont Hall
Holme Pierrepont
Nottingham NG12 2LD
0115 933 2371
Early Tudor manor house and family home to the Brackenbury family.
Holocaust Centre, Beth Shalom
Laxton
Newark NG22 0PA
01623 836627
The historical museum and the centre is designed to tell a story of people and how their lives are affected by history. The centre also has an arts and culture programme showing concerts and other events related to the Holocaust.
Collections: The centre houses a permanent exhibition on the Holocaust detailing the unfolding of the history of the Final Solution. Outside memorial gardens provide places for quiet reflection.
Langwith Whaley Thorns Heritage Centre
Methodist Chapel, West Street, Whaley Thorns
Mansfield NG20 9BW
01623 747601
www.freewebs.com/lwtheritagecentre
Following a major refurbishment of the Methodist Chapel, the Langwith Whaley Thorns Heritage Centre is open to the public. A focal point of the village, the Heritage Centre tells the story of the area.
Collections: The John Hyatt Collection represents the life and history of the Langwith and Whaley Thorns citizens. It reflects the impact of the sinking of a coal mine in 1876 upon a rural farming community and provides a snapshot of a period of great social upheaval. There is also a strong local photographic collection.
Malt Cross Music Hall
16 St James’ Street
Nottingham NG1 6FG
Malt Cross Music Hall.
Mansfield Museum
Leeming Street
Mansfield NG18 1NG
01623 463088
www.mansfield.gov.uk/museum
The five galleries of Mansfield Museum contain a fascinating mix of contemporary and modern displays, from the exquisite Buxton watercolours and Pinxton porcelain to the hands-on XplorActive environment gallery. Images of Mansfield introduces the visitor to the social history of the area and a rolling programme of national and local temporary exhibitions ensures there is always something new to see.
Mattersey Priory – English Heritage
Mattersey DN10 5DT
The remains of a small Gilbertine monastry, which was founded for six canons in 1185.
Mr Straw’s House – National Trust
5 Blyth Grove
Worksop S81 0JG
01909 482 380
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mr-straws-house
Come explore our ordinary house, yet extraordinary home. An Edwardian semi-detached house, which the Straw family moved into in 1923, has remained virtually unchanged ever since. This life-sized time capsule has delighted guests for twenty years, providing a rare glimpse at treasured objects from times gone by.
Newark Air Museum
Drove Lane, Winthorpe
Newark NG24 2NY
01636 707170
The museum has been open to the general public since April 1973. The museum Archive is available for use via prior arrangement with the curator on 01636 705585.
Collections: The museum’s collection currently stands at 68 aircraft and cockpit sections from across the history of aviation. These include transport, training and reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters and a diverse selection of jet fighters and bombers.
Newark Millgate Museum
48 Millgate
Newark NG24 4TS
01636 655730
Housed in a charming former mill and warehouse by the River Trent, Newark Millgate Museum displays the working, social and domestic life of Newark, covering the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition there are temporary exhibitions showcasing the work of contemporary local artists and designers.
Newark Town Hall Museum & Art Gallery
Town Hall, Market Place
Newark NG24 1DU
01636 680333
www.newarktownhallmuseum.co.uk
One of the finest town halls in the country, it was designed in 1776 by John Carr of York. This Grade 1 listed building is still a working town hall, but also houses a museum, art gallery and temporary exhibition space in the Spotlight Gallery.
Newstead Abbey
Ravenshead
Nottingham NG15 8GE
01623 455900
www.mynottingham.gov.uk/newsteadabbey
Newstead Abbey is the ancestral home of the Poet Lord Byron. There is much to see including the poet’s private apartments.
North Leverton Windmill
Mill Lane, North Leverton with Habblesthorpe
Retford DN22 0BA
01427 880254
www.north-leverton-windmill.co.uk/Home.html
A unique windmill that has never stopped milling. Set in beautiful rolling countryside, the windmill grinds flour and animal feeds regularly. Built in 1813 by a group of local farmers, North Leverton Windmill is almost 200 years old.
Nottingham Castle Museum & Art Gallery
off Friar Lane
Nottingham NG1 6EL
0115 8761400
A vibrant museum and art gallery housing collections of contemporary, fine and decorative arts, plus fifteen centuries of Nottingham history. All housed in a magnificent 17th century ducal mansion built on the site of the original medieval castle with spectular views of the city.
Nottinghamshire Archives
County House, Castle Meadow Road
Nottingham NG2 1AG
0115 950 4524
www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/archives
Nottinghamshire Archives houses archives for the county of Nottinghamshire, the city of Nottingham, the diocese of Southwell & Nottingham, and other local bodies, families and individuals.
Nottinghamshire Family History Society
26 Acorn Bank, West Bridgford
Nottingham NG2 7DU
The Nottinghamshire Family History Society exists to bring together all who are interested in family history research, to help in the preservation and indexing of local genealogical records, and in the copying and publishing of such records.
Nottinghamshire Local History Association
124 Churchill Drive, Ruddington
Nottingham NG11 6DG
0777 908 2085
www.nlha.org.uk
Nottinghamshire Local History Association was formed in 1953 to bring together people and organisations interested in all aspects of local history in the county. Our aim is to keep members in touch with current developments in local history, to support local historians and heritage organisations and to promote the study of local history in Nottinghamshire.
Papplewick Pumping Station
Rigg Lane, off Longdale Lane
Ravenshead NG15 9AJ
0115 9632 938
www.papplewickpumpingstation.org.uk
Papplewick Pumping Station is regarded as the finest surviving fresh water pumping station in England. Now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, it is unique in retaining all of its original features including its six hand fired Lancashire boilers and two James Watt beam engines.
Queen’s Royal Lancers & Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum, The
Thoresby Park, nr Perlethorpe
Nottingham NG22 9EP
0115 957 3295
www.qrlnymuseum.co.uk
The UK’s newest cavalry museum displays the historic collections of The Queen’s Royal Lancers, the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry and the South Nottinghamshire Hussars. These fascinating collections are of national importance and are displayed together for the first time in the newly renovated wing of Thoresby Courtyard.
Ruddington Framework Knitters Museum
Chapel Street
Ruddington NG11 6HE
0115 9846914
A working museum presenting all aspects of the lives of a Victorian knitting community. Comprises authentic cottage living accomodation and workshops set around a garden courtyard.
Ruddington Village Museum
St Peter’s Rooms, Church Street
Ruddington NG11 6HA
0115 914 6645
www.ruddingtonlhs.org.uk/Village%20Museum.htm
The Ruddington Village Museum occupies part of St Peter’s Rooms, the former Ruddington Infant and Girls School.
Sherwood Foresters Regimental Museum
The Castle
Nottingham NG1 6EL
0115 946 5415
The Sherwood Foresters Collection (Notts & Derby Regiment, 45th and 95th of Foot) is located in two separate galleries, one in Nottingham and one in Derby. Nottingham Castle has, since 1965 when the Collection had to move on the closure of Normanton Barracks in Derby, provided an excellent gallery to display artefacts of the regiment, along with its associated Nottinghamshire Militia and Rifle Corps. Derby City Museum and Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby has provided room to display artefacts of predecessor regiments, The Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derbys), the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment, Derbyshire Militia and Rifle Corps.
South Nottinghamshire Hussars Museum
TA Centre, Hucknall Lane, Bulwell
Nottingham NG6 8AQ
0115 9272 251
www.qrlnymuseum.co.uk/snh.htm
A small regimental collection which can be viewed by appointment only. There is no charge for entry but donations are gratefully received.
University of Nottingham Manuscripts & Special Collections
King’s Meadow Campus, Lenton Lane
Nottingham NG7 2NR
0115 951 4565
www.nottingham.ac.uk/mss
Manuscripts and Special Collections is part of Information Services at The University of Nottingham and is located at King’s Meadow Campus. Our printed, manuscript and archive collections together provide a rich resource for studies at all levels for a wide range of subjects. The Library has been collecting manuscripts since the early 1930s and now holds approximately 3 million documents, extensive holdings of printed collections, and the East Midlands Collection of local material.
William Booth Birthplace Museum
10-14 Notintone Place
Nottingham NG2 4QG
0115 979 3464
www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/wbbm
The William Booth Birthplace Museum tells the story of the life and work of William Booth, Catherine Booth, their family and the legacy they left to the world – the founding of The Salvation Army – currently the largest provider of social care in the UK after the government. William Booth was born at 12 Notintone Place, 1829, the first of Booth’s several childhood homes. The museum comprises three Regency era terraced properties, the middle one – 12 Notintone Place – being the birthplace of William Booth.
Wollaton Hall & Park
Wollaton Hall, Wollaton Park
Nottingham NG8 2AE
0115 915 3900
www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/wollatonhall
Set in over 500 acres of historic deer park, Wollaton Hall is a spectacular Tudor building designed by Robert Smythson and completed in 1588. Following an extensive restoration programme, Wollaton Hall reopened with a number of new displays and refurbished rooms, including Tudor kitchens. Visitors touring the hall can now view the Prospect Room at the top of the hall, which gives spectacular views over Nottingham. The hall also houses Nottingham Natural History Museum. Wollaton Park’s Courtyard Stables are home to Nottingham’s Industrial Museum and Steam Engine House.
Workhouse, Southwell, The – National Trust
The Workhouse, Upton Road
Southwell NG25 0PT
01636 817262
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/theworkhouse
Discover the most complete workhouse in existence. Built in 1824 the workhouse was a means of relief for the Victorian poor.