Wollaton Hall Announces New Dinosaur Gallery, Admission Changes, and Annual Ticket for Nottingham City Museums.
Nottingham City Museums has revealed plans for a new gallery at Wollaton Hall, the “Discovering Dinosaurs” exhibit, set to open on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. This marks the latest phase of the ongoing restoration of the historic Wollaton Hall and the “World of Wonder” project aimed at preserving the site for future generations.
The new dinosaur gallery will feature three full-sized dinosaur models: a 12-meter-long Tyrannosaurus rex, a Lufengosaurus, and an Oviraptor. In addition to these, the exhibit will showcase three prehistoric marine creatures – a Plesiosaur, an Ichthyosaur, and a Pteranodon – along with many other specimens to help visitors explore the evolution of dinosaurs. This gallery is part of a broader effort to position Wollaton Hall as the largest natural history museum in the Midlands.
This new exhibit is the latest addition to the “World of Wonder” project, which has already introduced revamped galleries such as the “Taxidermists’ Tale” (featuring a full-sized giraffe), “Living Planet” (which includes the popular George the Gorilla), and the “Changing Planet” gallery, which educates visitors about the importance of preserving wildlife.
In addition to the new gallery, the museum has introduced a new admission model designed to make visits more affordable.
For the first time, adults will pay a one-time fee of £15 for unlimited access to Wollaton Hall for the entire year. Children aged 15 and under will be allowed free entry, with up to three children admitted per paying adult. A new activity zone for children under five and a free trail sheet with activities for young visitors will also be available inside the Hall. While admission to the Wollaton Deer Park and Grounds will remain free, parking charges will apply, and special events may have separate fees.
Although the introduction of admission fees to Wollaton Hall may be a change for some visitors, the pricing has been set competitively, reflecting the national heritage sector and aligning with other Nottingham City Museums sites such as Nottingham Castle and Newstead Abbey & Gardens. The new charges are intended to help protect and preserve these significant heritage sites for future generations.
In a significant move, the Nottingham City Museums Service has introduced a new £30 Adult Rover Ticket, which allows visitors to access all three museums in Nottingham—Nottingham Castle, Wollaton Hall, and Newstead Abbey—under a “Pay once, visit all year” scheme. This ticket provides value for families, as accompanied children aged 15 and under will get free access to all three venues, with up to three children per paying adult.
The new ticketing arrangements are designed to provide an affordable option for families and encourage repeat visits to all three historic sites. Additionally, low-cost entry days and special events throughout the year will ensure the museums remain accessible to everyone.
This announcement comes as part of English Tourism Week and aims to showcase the diverse cultural heritage of Nottingham’s historic sites. Councillor Sam Lux, Portfolio Holder for Carbon Reduction, Leisure & Culture at Nottingham City Council, expressed his excitement about the new developments, emphasizing the success of the restoration work funded by external grants.
“We are thrilled to announce the opening of the new dinosaur gallery at Wollaton Hall on April 1st,” said Lux. “This is a significant step in making Wollaton Hall a more vibrant and engaging destination. The simple pricing and the new ‘rover ticket’ offer excellent value for money while supporting the protection of our cherished heritage.”
Lux added, “This change will help secure the future of Wollaton Hall and Deer Park, ensuring that it remains a place for both local and international visitors to explore for many years to come.”
