Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery

As a place featured in the legends of Robin Hood, the Castle does not disappoint tourists and visitors to Nottingham. Now more of a mansion than the medieval fort that one might expect, Nottingham Castle is home to some regional and national gems.

As the first municipal art gallery in the UK, the building was remodeled and restored by architect Thomas Chambers Hine in 1875.  The new interiors were modeled around the idea of a top-lit picture gallery as featured in the Grande Galerie of the Louvre in Paris.  To find out more about the history of the building NVA recommends visiting the Nottingham Civic Society Website.

In addition to a museum of Nottingham history and archeology, the Castle is home to several excellent gallery spaces, including a traditional long gallery with an impressive collection of historical works, and more temporary exhibition spaces. Works on display range from Laura Knight, Richard Parks Bonington and Dante Gabriel Rosetti to more contemporary exhibitions. Recent temporary exhibitions have included Andy Warhol retrospective; The British Art Show and Gemma Pardoe's Finisterre. To find out what's on now, visit Nottingham City Council's website.

Sadly, if you're not from these parts you have to pay to get in, but the tickets are reasonably priced at around £3.50 and this will allow you joint admission to Nottingham Castle and The Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard (situated approximately 5 minutes walk away on Castle Boulevard). However if you call a bread roll a cob, and happen to be a city resident or work here regularly you can get in for nowt on Monday - Friday. Remember to bring proof of status (e.g. Citycard, library card, council tax statement, employment ID badge or letterhead from employer confirming employment in the city). Excludes Bank Holidays and special events.