We loved the children's artwork and the the vegetable garden, as these brought the museum to life. We also appreciated the other exhibits and were particularly interested to see that the movement which resulted in pilgrims emigrating on the Mayflower started in Nottinghamshire. However, it would have been good to have made this part more interactive, through posing questions, such as 'What would you do if you were told you would be killed if you read books in English?' or 'Why do you think that the puritans wore very simple clothes without any decoration?'. Our curiosity needs to be nurtured and our thinking needs to be challenged by museums, so that we go out different from how we came in.

A brilliant museum in a beautiful old house. I loved the way everything was presented in a clear, factual way - no dumbing down and no electronic gadgets just for the sake of it. So many unusual and fascinating objects really well displayed. Loved it!

To say I have lived close to this place for many years this was my first visit and I was pleasantly surprised, the exhibitions were fantastic and informative some also interactive, the outdoor space was huge and well maintained, there was plenty of activities on for children and family's, free entry,

Really nice place. Friendly staff. Was a very rainy day but managed to keep our 9 year old entertained for a few hours.

Great museum! We parked outside on the street which is free parking for 30 minutes, so didn't have too long to look around - we probably could have spent just a little bit longer there. The woman who welcomed us in was so friendly!! The museum is full of a wide range of information, a great free museum, so well worth visiting if you want a break from driving on the A1.

This is an outstanding and magnificent museum in the heart of Retford which details all the different aspects of history of the North Nottinghamshire district of Bassetlaw. The museum is housed in a beautiful and fantastic Georgian Building that was once owned by the Amcott Family and the exhibitions/galleries is held over 2 floors. The ground floors has wonderful exhibitions about the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, How Bassetlaw coped with World Wars and there is a little history about the Amcott Family and there is a small amount of information about the Pilgrims. All of these galleries are wonderfully informative and interesting with some fascinating facts and social and general history to learn about. The ground floor also houses a gallery of paintings from a local artist with paintings of part of the Yorkshire Coast and coastlines abroad in Portugal to Big Cats such as The Tiger and all of the paintings have magnificent almost realistic life-like detail to them. The Stand out features from the ground floor galleries is the Piano, Glass drinking set, The Civic Plate and The Britannia due to the great condition of their presentation. The first floor galleries are equally as informative and interesting as the ground galleries/exhibitions and the first floor covers the Dukeries at Clumber Park, Welbeck and Rufford, Home life during the Second World War, Victorian Schoolroom, Industries in Bassetlaw such as Malting & Coal Mining and their contributions to the area and also Archeology and Medieval History. The Victorian Schoolroom is absolutely magnificent showing a layout of what one was giving a full picture of what life was for Victorian children in the Classroom and there are some interesting facts about the school day activities and also the rules in a Victorian Schoolroom which were very strict. The Archaeology and Medieval History is probably the best gallery of them all as there is a treasure trove of artefacts to see and also some great facts to learn about. Amongst the artefacts and is probably the stand out feature is the Wooden Anglo Saxon Boat which has been beautifully preserved and is amazing to think that it is still in great condition and the Archeology and Medieval history gallery has some great Anglo Saxon Jewellery and also Roman Coins to see to top it off brilliantly. The museum also has a great informative Pilgrims Gallery chartering the areas contribution to those Catholics who fled Britain to go to America and other countries after Catholicism was frowned upon and not liked and again the Pilgrims is really fascinating and interesting with some great facts to pick up. There is a great vast beautiful garden to the rear of the Georgian Building which is a nice way to get away from the galleries briefly and is very relaxing and tranquil and there is a Rural Heritage Building going into farming and the rural contribution made to the area by people and there are some great farm machinery such as Tractors to see. There is no cafe at the museum but there is a lovely small gift shop selling a variety of souvenirs at affordable reasonable prices. The museum is free admission but donations are welcome and extremely useful to keep the place going for future generations. The staff too are very friendly and welcoming making the experience and visit all the more nicer and better. Overall this is a fabulous museum to visit and makes for an enjoyable and enthralling day out to learn about the history of Bassetlaw. Definitely well worth a visit whilst in Retford.