The University of Nottingham Museum of Archaeology

The University of Nottingham's archaeology museum is tucked away on campus, and it's one of those places that rewards a bit of curiosity. You'll find genuinely interesting artefacts here - Roman pottery, medieval finds, Egyptian bits - all properly displayed without the bombast of bigger institutions. It's the kind of museum where you can actually read the labels without squinting and the curators clearly know their stuff.

Who'll get the most from it? History types, obviously, but also anyone who finds themselves in Nottingham with a spare hour and wants to avoid the rain. Kids might find sections dull unless they're already keen on archaeology - there's not much interactive stuff, and the displays assume you know a bit about what you're looking at. Older visitors who appreciate proper scholarship will have a better time.

Admission tends to be free, though it's worth checking ahead as university buildings sometimes restrict access during term time chaos. Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're really taking your time. The museum itself is quite compact.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks around Nottingham - Holme Pierrepont or Meadow View are nearest, a short drive away - this slots nicely into a rainy afternoon. Pair it with a wander through Nottingham city centre proper and you've got a decent day sorted. It's not a destination in itself, but it's absolutely worth the detour if you're already in the area.