The 10 Best History Museums in East Midlands, England

Open Sundays 1-5pm Easter to October. Bank Holidays 1-5pm. Wednesdays July & August 1-5pm. The centre was formerly part of No.1 Communal Site, RAF Woodhall Spa, and was Built in 1940 with a planned life span of only 10 years!. The site included the Officers and Sergeants Messes, Airmen's Dining Halls and the NAAFI building, together with Ration Store, Latrines and Ablution Block. Only the Airmen's Dining Halls, the NAAFI, Ablution Block and Ration Store are within the Centre's boundary The Thorpe Camp Preservation Group established the Visitor Centre in 1988 to commemorate those Airmen who flew from the airfield in World War II. 97, 619, 617 (Dambusters) and 627 Squadrons were based at RAF Woodhall Spa.

Our role is to make Gainsborough's history and heritage accessible to all. Our archives include information on companies including Marshalls and Rose Brothers, schools, buildings, local newspapers, burials and cemeteries. We have a wide variety of displays and changing exhibitions, well established research room and a small tea room with full facilities. We welcome all visitors and have a lift to provide disabled access to all floors.

The Museum spans that very small period in history from 1830 - 1980 in which the technological revolution took place. The collection traces the progress of electronic and engineered artefacts including telegraphy, telephony, audio, military and civil communications, warfare, photography, scientific and electrical domestic equipment. Many items can be demonstrated including an A & B Telephone and a new exhibit to demonstrate a Military Pedal/Hand Generator. It was used for charging batteries. It has been wired up to a light bulb which can be switched on and off to show how much energy is needed to light the bulb. Kids love to “have a go” so we think this new exhibit will bring a lot of pleasure to both young and old.

do you have an interest in the paranormal? Do you believe objects can hold energy? Would you like to do an investigation? Do you like antiques? Do you have any spooky stories to share?? Visit the Research Center and enjoy some time with like minded friends.

Dogdyke steam pumping station was built in 1856 to replace an existing wind-driven pump draining the large area of farmland between the rivers Bain and Witham. The engine, which runs in steam on all the Open Days, is the original external condensing beam-engine built by Bradley & Craven of Wakefield. It is possibly the oldest steam-driven scoop wheel pumping set in the country still in steam.

CUSTOMER NOTICE Coronavirus (covid-19) update Focusing on the health and wellbeing of our staff and customers is our top priority. In line with national guidance and government recommendations we have taken the difficult decision to cancel any events involving the public or large gatherings until further notice. This will mean Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and 1485 Tithe Barn will be closed with immediate effect. Visitors to Bosworth Battlefield, whether they are schoolchildren, historians, leisure groups, families or leisure seeking day-trippers, can experience what this famous turning point in British history really meant. A great day out!

Leicester is privileged to have one of the best-preserved timber framed halls in the country dating back 600 years. The Guildhall is a historic building and the oldest building still in use in the city. It was Leicester’s first police station and between 1876 and the 1900’s and saw many unsavoury characters pass through its doors. The Great Hall itself was built in about 1390 as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi (a small but powerful group of businessmen and gentry) and it’s also believed that Shakespeare performed here during Tudor times. Today, the Guildhall is best known as an excellent performance venue, attracting acts from across the country. It’s also known as a museum where visitors can step back in time and come face to face with Crankie Gemmie and Emma Smith, two of Leicester's notorious pick-pockets who can be found lurking in the Victorian police cells. The museum is also home to the Medieval Leicester galleries and The White Rose Cafe.

Leicester Museum & Art Gallery is a world of discovery with collections and displays spanning the natural and cultural world. General entry is free to all visitors. On the historic New Walk, the museum is a family friendly day out with galleries including Ancient Egypt, Dinosaurs, Wild Space, the Victorian art gallery, Arts & Crafts gallery, Picasso Ceramics: The Attenborough Collection and Leicester's internationally renowned collection of German Expressionism. The museum welcomes a vast array of temporary exhibitions, featuring works from the collections, touring exhibitions from national museums and a programme of contemporary art and craft displays. The museum hosts a range of events from curators' talks to lunchtime concerts, a cafe and museum shop.