A museum of crime, punishment and social justice based in the Grade II* listed Shire Hall in Nottingham. Over five floors, the building houses a Victorian courtroom, Georgian gaol, and cells that date back hundreds of years. The collection is made up of over 40 000 objects and archives and is the UK’s largest collection relating to law, justice, crime and punishment.
What can be found at the venue?
Records or archive, Collection of artifacts, Library, Historic building or site
Related crime and punishment profession / organisation
Police, Prison, Courts / judiciary, Coroners or pathology, Forensic scientists
Significant collections relating to regional crime and punishment organisation or to a particular individual
The museum contains the HM Prison Service Museum Collection, the Rainer Foundation Archive, and the Ross Simms Historic Police Collection. Some of our most well known items include: Playwright Oscar Wilde’s cell door; Gibbet irons; Force feeding equipment used on Suffragettes and conscientious objectors; Great Train Robbery evidence; The dock from Bow Street Magistrates Court, which was used in notorious cases such as the trials of Oscar Wilde, Roger Casement and the Krays
Details of opening for public access and / or research services
The museum is open every day 10.00 to 17.00
Tickets: Adults: £13.25; children 5-17: £8.75; under fives: free; students: £10.95; over 60s: £10.95; family tickets: £35.75
Available services or facilities
Cafe, Shop, Toilets
Accessibility and disability arrangements / Covid requirements
Please be aware that due to the historic nature of the building, in some parts of the museum there will be low ceilings, uneven floors and many steps. Flat shoes are advisable. Please wrap up warm on colder days.
An access statement is available at: https://www.nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk/uploads/museum/National-Justice-Museum-access-statement.pdf