Museums in East Midlands
The National Justice Museum and Nottingham Contemporary in Nottingham, the National Space Centre in Leicester, the Museum of Making in Derby, and castles and country houses in Lincolnshire and Derbyshire.
East Midlands Museum Guide
Our guide lists 54 museums in East Midlands across 26 towns and cities. You’ll find the widest choice in Leicester (7), Derby (6), and Lincoln (6).
Broken down by focus, the largest shares go to Castles, Palaces & Monasteries (50%), Science & Technology (15%), and City & Regional Museums (13%) – 9 of our 12 categories are represented.
16 museums are free to visit. For the others with a published price, a regular adult ticket costs £14 at the median, and the middle half charge between £10 and £21.
10 museums are fully wheelchair accessible, 42 offer dedicated programs for families, and 41 have a café or restaurant. These figures come from our ongoing research – museums whose details we haven’t verified yet aren’t included in the counts.
Top 10 museums in East Midlands
The best-known museums in East Midlands
Derby Museum and Art GalleryArt · Derby
Chatsworth HouseCastles & Palaces · Bakewell
Pickford's HouseHistory · Derby
Museum of MakingTechnology · Derby
Lincoln CastleCastles & Palaces · Lincoln
AlthorpCastles & Palaces · Northampton
Burghley HouseCastles & Palaces · Stamford
Belvoir CastleCastles & Palaces · Grantham
Tattershall CastleCastles & Palaces · Tattershall
Belton HouseCastles & Palaces · Grantham
Museums in East Midlands with free admission
- Derby Museum and Art GalleryArt · Derby
- Pickford's HouseHistory · Derby
- Museum of MakingTechnology · Derby
Leicester Museum & Art GalleryRegional · Leicester
Lincoln MuseumRegional · Lincoln
Leicester GuildhallHistory · Leicester
Abbey Pumping Station MuseumTechnology · Leicester
Bassetlaw MuseumRegional · Retford
Newarke Houses MuseumRegional · Leicester
Northampton Museum and Art GalleryRegional · Northampton
Museums in East Midlands with programs for families
- Derby Museum and Art GalleryArt · Derby
- Chatsworth HouseCastles & Palaces · Bakewell
- Pickford's HouseHistory · Derby
- Museum of MakingTechnology · Derby
- Burghley HouseCastles & Palaces · Stamford
- Belvoir CastleCastles & Palaces · Grantham
- Tattershall CastleCastles & Palaces · Tattershall
- Belton HouseCastles & Palaces · Grantham
Woolsthorpe ManorCastles & Palaces · Colsterworth
Hardwick HallCastles & Palaces · Chesterfield
Wheelchair-accessible museums in East Midlands
- Derby Museum and Art GalleryArt · Derby
- Chatsworth HouseCastles & Palaces · Bakewell
- Museum of MakingTechnology · Derby
National Space CentreTechnology · Leicester- Gordon Boswell Romany MuseumWorld cultures · Spalding
- Lincoln MuseumRegional · Lincoln
- Newarke Houses MuseumRegional · Leicester
- Northampton Museum and Art GalleryRegional · Northampton
Usher GalleryArt · Lincoln
International Bomber Command CentreMemorial · Lincoln
By category
Cities with the most museums
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How many museums are there in East Midlands?
Our directory currently lists 54 museums in East Midlands across 26 towns and cities.
What are the best-known museums in East Midlands?
Some of the best known are Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Chatsworth House, Pickford's House, Museum of Making, and Lincoln Castle.
Which museums in East Midlands offer free admission?
16 museums are free to visit – for example Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Pickford's House, Museum of Making, and Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.
Which museums in East Midlands are open on Mondays?
Many museums are closed on Mondays, but according to their regular hours 22 are open, such as Chatsworth House, Lincoln Castle, and Burghley House.
Which museums in East Midlands are wheelchair accessible?
10 museums are fully wheelchair accessible, including Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Chatsworth House, and Museum of Making. Others are partially accessible – you’ll find the details on each museum’s page.
How much does it cost to visit museums in East Midlands?
A regular adult ticket costs £14 at the median, with prices ranging from £5 to £28. Children, students and families usually pay less.
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