Nottingham Industrial Museum, Nottingham

Tucked away in the historic 17th-century stable block of Wollaton Hall, the Nottingham Industrial Museum offers a hands-on journey through the region’s industrial past. Entirely volunteer-run, this award-winning museum tells the story of the people, companies, and inventions that helped shape Nottingham into a hub of innovation and global trade.

The museum’s five galleries-Textiles, Transport, Communications, Mining, and Steam-are packed with machinery, artifacts, and stories from Nottinghamshire’s heyday. You'll find working lace-making machines, vintage cycles, and cars, a telecommunications collection featuring clocks and printing equipment, and exhibits from famed local firms like Boots, Players Cigarettes, and Stanton Ironworks.

One of the museum’s standout features is its Basford Beam Engine, fully operational and housed in the Steam Hall, alongside a working Robey engine and an impressive stationary mill engine rescued from a Nottinghamshire pub. A model railway display and a 00-gauge layout delight enthusiasts and kids alike.

Originally a modest collection until the 1960s, the museum grew to reflect the area’s major industries-coal mining, textiles, light metals, and transportation. Though briefly closed in 2009 after council funding was cut, it was revived with a government grant and the dedication of volunteers. Today, it opens on weekends and bank holidays, with “Steaming Sundays” and family-friendly events throughout the year.

Set amid the green expanse of Wollaton Park, next to the Natural History Museum and Yard Gallery, the Nottingham Industrial Museum makes for an engaging stop in any visit to the area. Whether you're intrigued by Victorian engineering or simply curious about how Nottingham built its global reputation, this is a place where history hums, clanks, and steams back to life.