If you are driving into Nottingham, over Trent Bridge, you cannot fail to notice the old Shire Hall building sitting high upon the cliff that is the back of Nottinghams Lace Market. Even from this distance, there is a sense of the historical importance of this rather eiree looking building.

Firstly, I want you to close your eyes as I take you back in time to 1828.....This is not a museum then of course, it is Nottinghams gaol.You can see why this facility was built here, the cliff drop at the back of it is about 70ft down making escape extremely perilous.This area of Nottingham was the poorest part, with people making their homes in the caves that were cut out of the cliff face, this meant it was also the area that had the most crime.
Over the centuries, thousands of people would have entered this building with a deep sense of dread, uncertain of their fate.
Within these walls at this time you will find John Shipley aged 21......Lying on the cold floor in his cell,sentenced to death for stealing a sheep worth only ten shillings, to feed his hungry family.
Next to him in another corner of this damp, cold cell we find George Dickenson, fear in his eyes as he contemplate leaving his family forever and being transported to Australia for the rest of his life. His crime?
He stole a wallet, that turned out to be empty, and was only worth sixpence.Nowadays he would have got what?A fine? Community service?There is a big difference between the way crime was dealt with in those days to how it is dealt with today.

I think the days are long gone where it is enough to put a lot of old things in a room with very little information and call it a museum.With the technology and the information available to us in this day and age there are so many more doors open to us, so many experiences we can have.
The Galleries of Justice do not let anyone down in this department, although they are very careful to make this experience is as authentic as is possible.
This is very much a hands on experience that is fun for all ages.
Our guides for this adventure are the scary warder ,who keeps his character going throughout the visit, and you very soon realise that having to deal with this man back then would have been far from a pleasent experience.You meet the judge, another nasty man and get the opportunity to stand in the dock and recieve sentencing for your crimes, you get a feeling of how it must have felt for those who stood there facing death , or transportation.There are the prisoners themselves who will tell you of life within the prison walls.I was moved by the 'grafitti ' that could be read on the walls of the exercise yards of the prison....'cast for death'.....'condemned for housebreaking ' and it really makes you think about the punishments of today in comparisson.I have a habit of placing my hand on the walls of buildings like this, closing my eyes and trying to feel the history in the building, I didn't do this for long though, this place is really scary...spooky, so much history, so much suffering.

The Galleries have some really interesting exhibits as well.
There is the magnificent, authentic victorian courtroom...with everything carved out of the most wonderful wood (I wouldnt like to be the one who has to keep it polished!)
There is the worlds largest collection of police memorabilia and the wigs and robing that have been worn by the legal proffession since the 19th century.
These include the ceremonial garments of the infamous Lord Lucan-accused of murder in 1973.
Among the displays is a bowl and wine glass that was used as evidence in the 1963 Great Train Robbery.
Also, for those ciao members who might prefer something a little more kinky....(and I think you know who you are!!!) You can also find here the largest collection of handcuffs and leg-irons in Britain.

Access for wheelchairs is very good,with easy access available in 90% of the experience.The toilets are clean and tidy and more importantly....very easy to find.
There are lifts to all levels and disabled toilets are easy to locate.
There are baby changing facilities as well
For those of you that are really into law the museum has an extensive working library where not only can you have the opportunity to explore the history of law, but you also get the unique opportunity of using both contemporary and original documents dating from as far back as 1500.

How to get there
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