Newark Air Museum

The hangars at Newark Air Museum are absolutely stuffed with aircraft - proper serious planes, not just dusty relics gathering cobwebs. You're looking at everything from a Lancaster bomber to Cold War jets, all parked indoors where the Nottinghamshire drizzle can't get at them. Walk round at your own pace and you'll get a real sense of what these machines actually did, with enough detail plaques to keep history buffs properly engaged without boring the rest of us to tears.

It's the sort of place that'll grip anyone with even a passing interest in aviation or military history. Kids tend to do well here too - there's enough visual spectacle to hold their attention for a solid couple of hours, though much younger ones might start flagging. The fact that you can get close to actual warbirds rather than just staring through glass makes a real difference.

Admission costs money (check the website for current rates), and you'll need at least two to three hours to do it justice without rushing. Early weekday visits tend to be quieter if you can swing it. Newark itself is just down the road, so it slots nicely into a longer Nottinghamshire trip. The nearby glamping and caravan parks - Witham Grange, Secret Garden, and Spire View Meadow are all within easy striking distance - make decent bases if you're planning to stay local and work through a few attractions. It's the sort of museum that rewards a proper visit rather than a quick once-over.