Housed within the Grade II* listed Shire Hall on High Pavement, the National Justice Museum tells the story of crime, punishment and the law across five centuries. The building itself dates to 1769-70 and remains one of Nottingham’s finest Georgian structures. Inside, visitors encounter authentic courtrooms preserved with their original fittings – the County Court to the east retains its 1876 wooden dock, jury box and judge’s throne, whilst the Civil Court to the west features marble columns and a coffered ceiling with central skylight. The adjoining former County Gaol completes the complex, offering insight into the conditions prisoners once endured.
The museum operates Friday to Sunday and Monday from 10:00 to 16:00, with limited wheelchair access throughout the building. Visitors can pay by card or cash at the entrance on High Pavement in the city centre. The Grade II* status reflects the architectural and historical importance of both the Shire Hall, designed by James Gandon, and the adjoining courtrooms that showcase Victorian craftsmanship and period detail.