National Justice Museum

The National Justice Museum in Nottingham offers one of the most immersive journeys into Britain’s legal and criminal history. Set within the city’s former courthouse, jail and police station, the museum uses its authentic spaces to tell powerful stories about crime, punishment and social change. Courtrooms, cells and corridors remain much as they were, allowing visitors to step directly into the world of Victorian justice. Inside, you can explore original holding cells, complete with graffiti left by past inmates, and the atmospheric courtroom where real trials once unfolded. Costumed interpreters often bring these spaces to life through demonstrations and reenactments, showing how justice was delivered across different eras. Exhibits cover everything from medieval punishments and prison reform to forensic science and landmark legal cases. Objects on display include historic restraints, police equipment, trial documents and personal items belonging to prisoners. Interactive stations let visitors examine evidence, test forensic techniques and consider how attitudes toward crime have evolved. The museum also highlights stories of reformers who challenged harsh systems and shaped modern justice.