The other reviews are not exaggerating, the cafe and bookstore part of the museum are fun,…read moreengaging, and genuinely interesting. The museum itself has 4 showrooms with rotating exhibitions that tend to lean more towards bizarre - which to be fair, can be considered art to some so I don't want to yuck their yum. I did find this boat exhibit to be thought provoking so I figured to share. The museum has free entry so it is genuinely worth checking out and you can always just get some books/crafts or hang at the cafe if you prefer.

A wonderful space for the exhibition of art…read more There are four large main rooms on the street level. All are light, airy spaces, which can be eerily quiet due to the large soft-closing semi-automatic doors which divide them. All galleries are very accessible and easy to get around. They all fan out from the central reception /shop. There's also the Small Collections room (accessible from Gallery 1) - make sure you check all of the drawers! The contemporary "art" that the gallery fills it's rooms with, is, however, a little "odd" and eclectic for my, rather more classical, interpretation of what constitutes "art". Most of the exhibitions appear to be rough, crude, amateurish, nightmarish or plain bizarre. But if you've just wasted several years on drugs at art college, you might love it. Make up your own mind. I just don't get it. However, entry is free... Great café, bar and presentation space downstairs.

Patchings is an arts and craft centre, with several resident artists, each with their own…read morestudio/shop. My boyfriend's dad bought an awesome sculpture of a chameleon (which he started to call Roger on the way home)... along with several paintings (they have built up a collection over many years) We looked around: - A shop full of jewellery/clocks/sculptures and paintings - A gallery of be-autiful photographs - A couple of different studios and shops full of paintings - A textile shop - A shop for art supplies - A framing shop with pretty cards/ cups /small gifts There were a couple of artists that were away, so we didn't get to see everything, but it was really nice to wander around. They have events, workshops and festivals...as well as a café, so it is a nice place to explore. The prices are reasonable (especially compared to London) so it is definitely worth a peek.

Set in once derelict farm buildings, Patchings Art Centre now houses a Gallery, art and pottery…read morestudio, restaurant, framing and art materials shop. I have been here on several occasions and it's a great half day out if you are in the area. The restaurant is lovely and there's an outdoor seating area for sunny days. Bunting brightens up the buildings and there are lovely flowers. Sometimes the little shops don't stick to their opening hours but it's worth a look around. It's a great place to do art courses or visit an exhibition or fair - when it can get very busy. I went to the Teddy Bear fair and also did a felting course which was very enjoyable. Visit the website for further details and events.

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.

Awesome experience! Actors role playing as you walk through with a deep look into the history of…read morehow inmates were treated. Not the easiest place to get to but well worth the walk and plenty to see. Lots of interactive exhibits.

This was a really cool museum, though a bit depressing. When we paid for admission, they gave us…read morebracelets with convict numbers so we could find who we were in the past. I was a local hero who robbed married men; my boyfriend stole some curtains. We looked through punishments and torture devices, some we could even try out ourselves! We read blurbs about various convicts. We stumbled into some actors, some who were better at acting than others, not to single the cheese mongrel out or anything. There's so much information, it's easy to get lost in the museum. By the end, it can get a bit dreary. Plus, the museum is SO cold, as if the ghosts of the tortured prisoners were still trapped there. We missed the live trial which would have been cool to witness but there were some interactive bits throughout that would be fun for kids! All in all, I recommend if you're interested in the history of how humans mistreated other humans.

A lovely shop to wander around in. And the friendly staff don't bug you! They sell all sorts of…read morenic-nacs including some interesting and different cards. The art in the gallery caters to all sorts of tastes and price ranges. Well worth a visit. xx

If I'm honest this wasn't really my cup of tea, but my wife wanted to go and I can see why someone…read moreinterested in this kind of thing would enjoy this place. Would go again if asked, but wouldn't under my own steam!