Thursdays in term time, 10.30am to 11.30am

Calling all little explorers! Get ready for a weekly dose of discovery, creativity, and giggles at Mini Museum - our playful, hands-on sessions specially designed for families with children under 5.

The stories of the places where we live are a rich tapestry woven from moment in time, the people who lived there and the things they used, wore, and made. This project unravels some of the individual threads which make up our history, highlighting seven objects which shine a light on local industry and everyday life, and celebrate the area we call home.

Step into a world of wonder and nostalgia as you explore how children played across the decades!

Artist in Residence – Robbie Bellekom | 4 Nov 2025 – 28 Mar 2026

Puppeteer and maker Robbie Bellekom invites visitors and the local community to get creative with hands-on activities, workshops, and a fresh look at storytelling through puppetry. 

Friday 12 December, 7pm

Back by popular demand, A Merry Noyse will be regaling us with a feast of music from Christmas past . A joyful mix of history, poetry and musical performance, the perfect cosy historical start to your Christmas season!

Saturday 31 January 2026, 7pm

Visible for miles around, the spire of St Mary’s church was a beacon, vantage point and source of local pride. Learn more about the central role played by St Mary’s Church in local life during the British Civil Wars with renowned local historian Stuart Jennings. 

Wednesday 4 February 2026, 7pm

‘Elizabeth was king, then James was queen.’ – English author (1603) We know so much about the six wives of Henry VIII, why not the six loves of James I? Dive into the dazzling love life of England’s first openly gay monarch in this flamboyant and fascinating historical tale with Gareth Russell.

Friday 13 February 2026, 7pm

In 1642, when Charles I raised his standard in Nottingham, he ruled not just England, Ireland, and Scotland, but also “the dominions thereunto belonging”. These distant settlement, most small and new, were drawn into events at home, and the English Atlantic was shaped by the civil wars, regicide, and experiments in new forms of government over the next two decades. Join distinguished Professor and Joyce Appleby Endowed Chair of the America in the World, Carla Pestana, for this insightful talk.

Friday 27 March 2026, 7pm

This fine example of a Gallo Roman dodecahedron was found in the summer of 2023 when archaeologists excavated a Roman site at Norton Disney, close to a Roman villa and the Fosse Way Roman road. Its purpose remains a mystery. Join archaeologist Richard Parker to find out more about this fascinating object.

Friday 17 April 2026, 7pm

Dr Samantha Tipper, Senior Lecturer at Anglia Ruskin will share her fascinating analysis of human skeletons from the Battle of Stoke Field and the stories hidden in their bones. 

Saturday 2 May 2026, 4.30pm

Shake a leg Stuart style as we learn about the country dances of market squares and village greens as  recorded in John Playford’s 1651 ‘The English Dancing Master’. 

Throughout December… Join the Festive Hunt!

Grab your WANTED poster and embark on our thrilling Christmas Trail through the museum. Your mission? Track down the mischievous Walter Hogbrawl, who’s daring to celebrate Christmas after Cromwell’s ban!

Follow the trail and uncover Walter’s hiding place – with a prize for every successful sleuth!