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).

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.

Free museum in Birmingham city centre focusing on contemporary art. It's in a very grand building,…read moreso I thought the museum would be big too, but it wasn't. Well there is a lot of empty space, and not that much to see. Few different rotating exhibitions, I saw some on the rave scene in the 80s and also racial violence from the 60-90s. On the way out I accidentally insulted one of the artists, but he just brushed it off.

We visited this museum yesterday and we really liked it. Both the exterior and interior of the…read morebuilding are beautiful. The museum has a terrific selection of paintings from the 15th, 16th & 17th centuries and a particularly good selection of Pre-Raphaelites. There's a *gorgeous*/large Edwardian tea room and also a separate café (the latter is small and attractive). The gift shop isn't very large, but it had some nice items. Also, I had a wonderful conversation with one of the guards; she was very friendly and kind-hearted.

I stumbled upon the Time Machine Museum recently on a short visit to the sleepy little village of…read moreBromyard and would like to recommend it as certainly somewhere a little different than the ordinary run-of-the-mill attractions, and the perfect place to entertain the kiddies for a couple of hours! The building itself is actually the Old Bakery and looks like a very quaint old-fashioned village grocery store-cum-tea shop, but step inside and you will not only find a stunning Elizabethan style coffee shop, but also THE TARDIS! Step inside the old Police Box and you will immediately find yourself transported back in time to a fantastic wonderland consisting literally thousands of rare & collectable antique toys, bears and dolls just to name a few. There are also dozens of famous film memorabilia including life size droids & characters of The Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Stingray, Star Wars & of course, Dr Who & the Daleks to delight the enthusiast! There is also a permanent puppet display - the ONLY one in the country, a Railway, and Dads Army memrobilia including a genuine, Millitaria Display. Also, not to forget to mention - Disney! All in all, there is something for everyone, hours of fun for both young & olda magical collection of both fantasy & nostalgia that will take your breath away - I was totally amazed!

I'm about as far from a Sci-fi fan as you can get but as my brother loves all that so a friend…read moresuggested I take him here...... It's a little hidden gem and brought back memories of all the Dr Who I hid behind the sofa during. It's worth just turning up for a chat with Andy the owner of this private & vast collection. No spoilers here but if you were born in the 60's its a great way to spend a couple of hours reliving childhood memories, one or two exhibits are unique gems for avid fans too. Would agree maybe not for kids and OK its £8 adult but something has to pay the bills! No cafe that I seen but Brew just up the road is lovely, Combine with a stroll around Bromyard & its a great and reasonable day out

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.

Definitely one of the must visit air museums in the UK!…read more I've been to duxford a couple times over the years (also a must visit of course), and in my recent trip to the UK wanted to go somewhere else, so I picked RAF Cosford. Was not sure what to expect but the main hanger there definitely makes an impression on you as you pull up! Inside you will find a great collection of aircraft from WW1, WW2, to the cold war, to the near present (an early eurofighter prototype for example). Some aircraft you might not really see anywhere else as they are either one of a few left or teh ONLY one left in existence! Either way I had a great time walking all around the collection (all housed indoors thankfully). Honestly my only complaint was I felt like the last hanger was a disappointment compared to the others. Especially the main cold-war hanger, but in a way it's a good thing they have room from improvement, as well as room to hopefully expand the collection too, gives me hope there will be a reason to come back on one of my future UK trips.

Great museum to see lots of aircraft primarily stored inside out of the elements, with a few…read moreoutside on display. Absolutely loved the rare Japanese aircraft, experimental odd ones like the Bristol 188 and the Gloster Meteor Prone. Each of the planes have placards with plenty information about the history of that plane that is on display. They are the only place where you can find all of the V-Series bombers all intact, but unfortunately the Cold War hall is so crammed full of planes, that you truly cannot appreciate or completely see all of the planes. The museum overall is free, there is a fee to park which you supposedly can pay in advance online (it did not work for me), or you can pay inside because none of the machines in the parking lot work. There is also a cafe to get something to eat, located immediately to the left when you walk into the entrance.

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!

Clean eating area nice food good service served quickly so no standing in long queues.read more

Wonderful child-friendly museum easily walked to from the Cathedral area. We went there recently…read morewith 2 pre-school kids (ages 3 and 5) and spent well over 40 minutes in the special Lady Godiva exhibit. The adults were entertained with the excepts from the many Lady Godiva movies (Maureen O'Hara had one) while the kids put on medieval costumes, played with a racing game, put together some puzzles. Upstairs the Four Seasons exhibit was another place entertaining to both adults and children. We spent about 40 minutes there. Lunch in the cafe where we had some lovely soup and sandwiches. My only negative was the fact the Gift Shop had to be passed through on the way to the Godiva exhibit. So much energy to keep little hands from picking up things. But the wonderful staff raised not an eyebrow in disapproval.

I spent 2 weeks in the UK on business. During that time, I wasn't able to do nearly the amount of…read moreexploring that I'd hoped I would. I took a train from Bedford to London and spent the entire day walking around and exploring. I spent a lot of time traveling back and forth between Bedford and Birmingham, and exploring all I could between. Aston Hall was the only place I visited that I knew I would never forget. I was lucky to be here on the off season, on a bright sunny day. I had the property to myself, but was unfortunately unable to poke around inside. Aston Hall is overwhelming. The house had so much personality. The patches of lime green and crazy slippery algae in the corners of near the front door, the big beautiful gardens on either side of the property that smell of roses even before they bloom and the sound of children playing on the lawn *That on it's own blew me away, thinking of kids back home (in America) playing in just regular parks with a swing set while these children run around playing tag in the gardens of Aston Hall.*. The towering and cracking door leading into the front hall. I could go on forever. I don't know what it is about this property, but I felt immediately attached to it. I just sat on the front lawn and stared, knowing that when I left I would miss it immediately. If I had the chance to go back to the UK for just one hour, I'd spend it at Aston Hall.

I have spotted the Aston Hall for the first time some years ago, in my first visit to Birmingham,…read morewhen I was crossing the Aston Park to reach by Aston Villa's pitch. I can't describe how impressed was to see this stunning mansion's garden and I never would think this location would hide such an exuberant building. So I have decided to visit inside this historical Hall properly. What a fascinating experience! Built in 1635, The Aston Hall is considered almost like a treasure of Midlands and it was residence of The Holte Family for several years. The house also suffered a damaged during the English Civil War, in 1643. Nowadays, the Aston Hall is open to the public as a museum and what can be seen inside this Jacobean construction is a really interesting heritage collection of furniture and rooms that express well that atmosphere in Britain, in the period covering from 17th to 19th centuries. The details of the walls and the kitchen supplies of this impressive building are really lovely and visiting Aston Hall is a synonymous of a good day out with family. The admission to Aston Hall is £ 4 (adults) with free admission to children under 16, but every first Sunday of each month it`s free for visiting. The site is usually open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 12 pm to 4 pm. Take a note: The Headless Statue is an interesting and sad part of Aston Hall history. Look for more information about it before visiting the place.