This is an amazing 2 story museum with all kinds of artifacts from old wedgewood to Egypt's tomb…read moreand artifacts Teapots and tea cups old coins to everything in between. 2 nd floor loads of paintings to look at. Entry is free which is always a plus.

The Fitzwilliam Museum offers a well rounded and varied collection. It is sure to please most…read moremuseum visitors regardless of interests. If you're a fan of the work of Georges-Pierre Seurat, you're sure to enjoy the 1884 Neo-Impressionism painting, "The Couple" (original title: Un dimanche après-midi sur l'île de la Grande Jatte). Does it somehow look familiar? This was a study for A Sunday on the Island of la Grande Jatte! "This work is one of many that Georges-Pierre Seurat made in preparation for a much larger painting. The woman's stiff posture is accentuated by her tightly buttoned jacket and the exaggerated bustle of her skirt, which echoes the curve of her parasol. Given that the area of Paris depicted here was known for prostitution, it has been suggested that the woman is a sex worker on the arm of a male client." Give yourself several hours if you plan to take in the entire collection. If you are fortunate enough to live nearby and can visit often, take your time and you're sure to fall in love with one of the many wonderfully curated items found within the museum walls.

The Melton Carnegie Museum is divided into thematic sections that give an overview of major events…read moreand industries that dominated the history of Melton-Mowbray. Learn about the role of the fox hunt in the local community, see displays explaining how Stilton and pork pies are made, and read about early settlers in the area. Admittedly this is not the most exciting museum we've ever been to, but it's completely free, and there isn't much else to do in Melton. Great resource for kids though, and they surely get many school groups. Worth checking out if you're in Melton anyway.

RAF Coningsby, on the B1192 south of Horncastle, Lincolnshire. About half a mile from Coningsby…read morevillage, 13 miles north-east of Sleaford on the A153. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operates a Lancaster, five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, two Chipmunks, and a Dakota. In 1986, it became possible to view these historic aircraft, at their base at RAF Coningsby. In the years immediately following World War Two it became traditional for a Spitfire and Hurricane to lead the Victory Day flypast over London . From that event there grew the idea to form an historic collection of flyable aircraft, initially to commemorate the RAF's major battle honour. Since it began in 1957, the aircrew on the Flight have been drawn from volunteers who maintain the 12 historic aircraft both at Coningsby and out on the display circuit. Visitors are led on a guided tour around the BBMF hangar by knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteer guides, who give freely of their time and who, in many cases, have first hand experience of the aircraft Entry to the exhibition centre, souvenir shop and car park is free; there is a small charge for guided tours of the hangar, with special rates for groups Well stocked shop offering an extensive range of aviation gifts. There is a permanent exhibition gallery exploring Lincolnshire's links with the RAF plus regular programme of temporary exhibitions. Open Monday to Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm Guided tours of the hangar from 10.30am - 3.30pm (3.00pm November - February) but of course in show season they cannot guarantee certain planes will be there. You will see them flying somewhere though. These are REAL planes folkand I love 'em!

What an amazing place! We happened to see this museum as we…read morewere walking by and were intrigued by their moving signage. Inside there are plenty of machines that whir and perform small tasks or even make music. Lots of interactive things to see and do, buttons to push, pedals to press, even a magnetic marble track you can build yourself! It's a treat for young and old and definitely worth the small entry fee.

The opening hours are stated for October to March. Opening hours from April to September are a…read morelittle longer (10:30 to 18:30 daily). A friend recommended this place to me thinking that my boys would like it. My friend was right! We did all enjoy the interactive displays. The extent of the interactivity is mainly pressing a button though but it's still good. There is an interesting range of mechanical art and my boys and I were fascinated by the mechanisms. It is quite a small place. It cost £19 for the four of us (2 adults and 2 children) which isn't too bad but, considering we spent less than an hour in there and saw everything, it does seem a little expensive. There are two floors. One very small room on each floor displaying different pieces of art. It can get rather crowded due to the small size, especially downstairs where the entrance/exit is the same. In the same small area, there is a counter where there is a single member of staff who both admits people and serves the gift shop. The gift shop is basically a small portion of the wall within the ground floor of the museum. Many items are over-priced and the selection is very limited. We did enjoy ourselves there and would recommend it but it could get claustrophobic and the upstairs can be noisy (although it does state this on the signage).

The industrial revolution and the subsequent development of the British economy relied on the…read morepresence of a number of basic raw materials, notably coal and iron ore. The history of coal production in Britain is now widely recorded and recreated in a number of dedicated industrial museums located across England, Wales and Scotland, often located in the heartlands of the former coalfields. Given that interest, it is therefore surprising that so little is recorded and that there are so few ways of investigating the story of the other great industrial mineral resource, iron ore.

An interesting hour spent studying all sorts of scientific instruments from Babbage's difference…read moreengine, hand held calculators and a cool section of hands on experiments and instruments for kids.

What a great experiential aircraft visit in a historically significant place. The displays span the…read morecentury including spitfires, P-51's, B-52's, A-10's, SR-71, U2, and commercial aircraft like the SST. Two major display building with several hangars of planes WW2 operational planes or in process of being restored. For you yanks, this on the quality of the Smithsonian Aircraft exhibit in DC, with out all the outer space stuff.

It had been years since my last visit to Duxford. A Christmas present of tickets and an In the…read moreCockpit Spitfire Experience made a return visit a 'must do'. On arrival, and wandering around, I immediately noticed so many changes. More outlets throughout the grounds for refreshments. Prices are more than reasonable and the food very fresh having been made on site. My last visit there was only one restaurant. Also, it may sound silly, but many more toilet facilities. All a very big plus to this wonderful museum. We decided to start our visit in the Land Based War area at the very furthest point on the runway. Although there is a bus service we decided to slowly stroll the 15 minutes. This idea worked out perfectly as we finished our visit in the main hangar near the exit, tired, but having visited every area on our way back. The whole experience was an education and extremely enjoyable. The aircraft are an impressive display and the planning in setting out these huge vehicles in such small spaces incredible. This, especially, in the American hangar. Seeing the old passenger planes on the runway brought back memories of DanAir, BEA, BOAC, Monarch......all planes and companies I have flown with. Finally, my Spitfire experience was outstanding. An informative talk for 20 minutes before climbing into the cockpit of N3200. Still wonder how those pilots in flight jackets, boots and parachute managed to even move. Shown all the controls in a hands on way. It was so interesting, A fabulous day out and a would definitely advise a visit of a few hours.

This was a wonderful private collection started in 1978 by a man moving fro South Africa…read more He had a real eye for collecting. Cars, bikes, motorcycles, toys, pic nic sets , side cars and signs. Overwhelming. Great two hours. Nominal fee

One of the highlights of our trip. Went way above expectations and then some. So well organized…read more Spotless. An amazing collection of cars, camper vans, motorcycles, toys and even a "car parts shop" that looked like it could have been real. Very impressed and would go back many times again.

Wollaton Hall and its Natural History Museum in Nottingham is truly an exceptional place to visit…read moreand easily one of the most impressive heritage sites in the region. From the moment you approach the magnificent Elizabethan mansion you are greeted with architecture that feels almost otherworldly. The hall stands proudly at the top of the hill surrounded by vast parkland roaming deer and beautifully maintained grounds. The setting alone is enough to make the trip worthwhile but what awaits inside is even more remarkable. The Natural History Museum housed within the hall is extensive captivating and full of fascinating detail. Every gallery is thoughtfully curated with exhibits that span everything from fossils and geology to wildlife specimens and cultural artefacts from around the world. The displays are rich with information yet accessible and inviting even for those who may not usually be drawn to natural history. There is a sense of wonder in each room whether you are standing in front of the towering dinosaur skeletons learning about ancient civilizations or examining the intricate details of preserved animals. What truly elevates the experience at Wollaton Hall is the staff. Every member of the team I encountered was incredibly helpful friendly and knowledgeable. Their passion for the museum its collections and the history of the hall is evident in every conversation. They answer questions with genuine enthusiasm sharing insights that you would not find on the information boards and they are always eager to help visitors get the most out of their visit. Whether offering historical context pointing out details you might have missed or simply greeting guests with warm smiles they create an atmosphere that is welcoming and engaging. The staff's knowledge is especially impressive. They speak with confidence and depth about the collections and their enthusiasm is infectious. It is clear that they take real pride in their work and in preserving and sharing the stories held within the museum. This level of personal connection and dedication makes the visit feel even more meaningful. The hall itself is stunning inside and out. Its rooms are filled with ornate architectural details historic artwork and glimpses into the lives of the people who lived there centuries ago. Wandering through the halls feels like stepping into a different time period and the museum's design allows you to explore both the historical building and the natural history collections seamlessly. The parkland surrounding Wollaton Hall is an added delight with peaceful walking paths lakes and of course the famous deer that roam freely. It is easy to spend an entire day here exploring the grounds taking in the scenery and enjoying the blend of history nature and culture. In every aspect Wollaton Hall and its Natural History Museum exceed expectations. The combination of breathtaking architecture immersive exhibits and exceptional staff creates a truly unforgettable experience. It is a place that appeals to families history enthusiasts nature lovers and curious visitors of all kinds. I cannot recommend it highly enough and I will definitely be returning.

Wollaton Hall is a superb Tudor-era mansion on a small but notable hill a little north-west off the…read morecity centre of Nottingham. It is home to a natural history museum caught in time, i.e. given today's plethora of information and entertainment in the form of TV/cinema documentaries, not really exciting or essential any more. Still, the architectural minutiae, the lovely surrounding deer park and the occasional special events - such as the vintage cars and bikes display when I was there - merit a visit. The architecture of Wollaton Hall is terrific, but the museum inside is quite a bit dated and truly feels like an old style museum trapped in time. Good thing then, that when I visited in early October, there was a congregation of collectors of classic cars and bikes, which added tremendously to the overall excitement. The deer park is as vast as it is attractive. All of these are/were free of charge, and there are several cafés strewn across the grounds. There is also an industrial history museum. Since Nottingham is rather short on attractions (there's Nottingham Castle, and not much beyond that!), Wollaton Hall is the runner-up!

Great collection of buses here and a collection of milk floats and other electric vehicles. There…read moreis an exhibition about bus services in the Midlands, which is well done. Interpretation in the bus halls is less good, with some displays awkwardly positioned and I spotted one description of the wrong bus. The cafe is very basic, a pity it does not do cakes and cream teas etc. However, we worth a visit an what is excellent here is that they have running days when buses offer rides that really demonstrate well what these venerable vehicles sound like and feel like to ride on.

We've all taken a bus ride in our time but how about a trip down memory lane with this excellent…read moremuseum. With buses from all eras you'll probably spot one that you used to catch often. There are all sorts of buses here which have been beautifully restored and maintain by the members. Many of the vehicles are still running, I have to admit I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to large vehicles, not quite a train spotter, but close! I defy anyone not to be impressed by the finest and largest collection of beautifully preserved buses this country has. If you are into trains as well then there's also a miniature steam railway too. This is a fabulous day out for the whole family, take grandma and pops, they'll love it. Admission is £3.00 for adults £1.50 for children.