National Justice Museum

The National Justice Museum occupies a former courthouse and jail in Nottingham's city centre, which means you're walking through actual rooms where real trials happened and prisoners were locked up. It's genuinely unsettling in the best way - the cells are proper cramped, the courtroom still has its original bench, and the stories on display make it clear this wasn't some sanitised historical experience.

You'll spend a good two to three hours here if you read properly, though you could whip through in 45 minutes if you're just after the highlights. The exhibits cover everything from medieval punishment through to modern-day justice, with particular focus on Nottinghamshire cases. There's a working courtroom where actors occasionally perform trials - worth checking if anything's on when you visit.

It works best for teenagers and adults who actually want to think about how the legal system evolved rather than just gawk at dungeons. Younger kids might find the execution methods a bit heavy, though the hands-on bits keep them engaged.

If you're camped at Holme Pierrepont or the Caravan Park just down the road, this is an easy walk into town. Pair it with Nottingham Castle - also right there - and you've got a solid half-day. It's free entry, which is brilliant, though donations are encouraged. Go mid-week if you can; weekends get packed with school groups.