Life as a SEN mum

For the first day of the summer holidays, I was actually child free, so while they were away with their dad, me and my mum were determined to come up with somewhere to visit that we wouldn’t go with the kids. Now this isn’t to say it isn’t suitable for children, for some it will be, but I knew for mine it would be a no go. I’d seen a review for the National Justice Museum on TikTok and so we decided this was probably the best time to visit.

Prices

Admission is £12.05 for an adult ticket, and £8.75 for a child ticket, there are discounts for students and the over 60s, as well as a discounted family ticket and under 5s are free. Admittedly this doesn’t put it into a cheap day out, particularly when you factor in the cost of parking in the centre of Nottingham, and unlike many other attractions it doesn’t offer free returns. However, the experience itself I would definitely say it’s worth the money.

Accessibility

The first thing to bear in mind is that the museum is within a Grade 2 listed building, so there are going to be some issues with accessibility, and there are some areas which unfortunately are not accessible, although I’d say you would still get plenty out of the day and it is still worth a visit as there isn’t much of the museum that isn’t accessible. That being said I did notice plenty of ways in which they did make it as accessible as possible. Even though we didn’t have the kids with us, I find myself automatically looking for these things, partly out of habit, but also it gives me the chance to properly feed back on the places we visit.

One thing I actually noticed upon double checking prices on their website is that they had a clear link to their accessibility statement. I’ve seen many an accessibility statement and some are pretty shocking, giving very little information other than a general statement and contact details. This one on the other hand is extremely detailed. Covering everything you might need to know for your day out. From getting there to where the nearest changing places facilities are (note: the toilets on site are designed to be accessible, however, if you do need changing places facilities these are close by).

They also provide a sensory map, I first noticed these while we were waiting at admissions, but I have noticed that they are also available online. The map indicates in each area whether it may pose sensory issues, as well as pointing out quieter spaces and also areas where the information might be somewhat distressing. After all the history of justice can be extremely gory, and being prepared for this could be extremely beneficial for some.

The Experience

It may be a museum, but it really is a full experience. From the moment you arrive you’re immersed into the history of justice. At admissions you’ll be given a wristband with a convict number. These all refer to actual people and as you go around the museum you will be able to search for your number and see what crime they were convicted for and what there punishment was.

As with most museums there are plenty of photo opportunities, no one can pass up the chance to have photos taken in the stocks. I feel like it’s a given with these types of museum, they just need to provide things to throw at your annoying family members. Or why not see what it might have been like inside a cell being transported to Australia.

There are also daily performances, which are absolutely brilliant. we unfortunately missed the perfomance in the court room, but if you do make it then you’ll be able to watch a mock trial and learn more about all the different roles within the courtroom, there’s also the chance to take on one of the roles yourself.

We did, however, make it to the performance in the exercise yard, and this is the one I really wanted to see. When I originally saw a review for the National Justice Museum, I’d seen this particular performance mentioned and I knew we had to make sure we were there for it. If you make your way to the excercise yard you’ll be able to watch a public hanging. Yes, you read that right. You’ll stand by the gallows and hear the crimes of the convict sentenced to death. The executioner will talk you through what it would have been like to actually be there at the time and really get you involved as the convict is brought out to the gallows. Whilst there is a noose, this, for obvious reasons, isn’t used in the performance. Everything is done in a completely safe way, to inform in an entertaining way. After the performance the executioner (now back in the 21st century) will tell you about what it would have been like in the prison back when you had to pay to be there, and how prisoners were treated if they couldn’t pay. There are also some very interesting things to notice when in the exercise yard. But you’ll have to visit yourself to find out what they are. One thing I would say about this is that there is a lot of standing and listening. Which was obviously fine for us. Had Charlotte been with us, however, it would have been an absolute no go, the information on the map you get given on entry does say that the performance is around 15 minutes, but it was more like 30-45 minutes so bare this in mind if you have young children or children who find it difficult to focus for longer periods of time.

Food, drink and shopping

There is a small cafe on sight. By time we’d walked round the whole of the museum it was lunch time and the queue was quite large at this point, it did look like there was plenty of seating, but we decided not to go into the cafe, so I wouldn’t be able to review this. But, if like us you don’t want to eat in the cafe, you are right in the centre of Nottingham and only a short walk from plenty of eateries.

There is also a small shop, there isn’t a huge variety of merchandise, but there are a few topical books, some Nottingham specific souvenirs (think Robin Hood teddies and such) as well as the usual magnets, pens etc and a few sensory toys for kids. In comparison to many gift shops though the prices are very reasonable, so you don’t have to worry about spending a small fortune.

Overview

The National Justice Museum is certainly worth a visit. It is so engaging and so interesting that it is a must. However, when it comes to kids it might be best avoiding unless you have slightly older children. I’ve said before, both of mine actually quite like museums, and even Charlotte will ask to go to a museum on occasion. However, there are others with many more interactive options for kids, whether that’s a fact finding trail, touch screen games, dress up areas etc. and the National Justice museum definitely wouldn’t provide enough stimulation for her. There is also no chance she would sit/stand and listen to the performances as her attention span lasts the whole of a minute on a good day. James on the other hand probably would have been ok, even at a younger age may have managed. But it possibly wouldn’t have been the best choice of a day out for him. This being said, all the children we did see there were generally 13-16 so it is worth thinking about that before visiting with children as it is a paid attraction.