Lakeside Arts - theatre, gallery & Pavilion Café — Attraction in Nottingham

We enjoy visiting this place a few times a year, and it's always an interesting experience. The venue offers a free exhibition space along with a small archaeology museum, which makes it a great choice for families or anyone curious about art and history. Just make sure to check the opening hours beforehand, as it isn’t open every day.

One of the things we like most is that the art exhibitions change frequently throughout the year. Every visit feels a bit different, and you never quite know what to expect. The themes can sometimes be a bit unusual or thought-provoking—which, to me, is part of the charm of contemporary art. My 7-year-old son usually handles it quite well, and it often sparks interesting conversations afterward.

That said, the content may not always be suitable for everyone. During our most recent visit, the exhibition focused on the human body and its internal structures, and while we found it fascinating, I overheard another visitor say that it was “too much” for her. I’d recommend checking the current theme if you’re visiting with young children or people who may be sensitive to medical or anatomical imagery.

The archaeology section is quieter and more traditional, and it’s a good balance to the rotating art displays. It’s small but well-curated, and we always learn something new.

Overall, this place is a hidden gem—especially considering that admission is free. If you're in the area and enjoy art that makes you think, or you have children who like museums and history, it’s well worth stopping by. Just don’t forget to check what’s currently on show...

I visited the luminarium with my one year old and we had an absolute blast! Firstly, the venue is right next to a a tram stop (toton lane park and ride), however despite it being busy we managed to park right next to the box office! The box office staff were friendly and helpful although the baby change facilities were utterly filthy (probably due to the number of people using it that day and the fact that people are disgusting 😒) we booked the priority tickets which I was very glad for since they only cost an extra pound and the non-priority wait was well over an hour! The luminarium staff were well organised and friendly and we were let in two mins after our allotted time. Once in you could stay as long as you liked, which was a good job since my little boy absolutely loved exploring all the different rooms (he's just walking and is fascinated by lights so it reallynwas just perfect for him). Inside it was busy but not overcrowded, babies and kids were happily playing on the floor, people were taking the chance to have a sit and relax so I think they got the numbers just right to keep the queue moving without affecting the experience inside. There were also plenty of staff inside that were making sure everyone was happy and safe, and who were more than happy to take a photo of me and the baby. A really great use of an afternoon! You could get round it in 20 minutes but we spent two hours in there! Highly recommended, especially if you have a youngster that's...

We visited Lakeside Arts to see The Snow Whale, and overall, it was a good experience. The venue is lovely, with good parking and friendly staff who made us feel welcome. A particularly nice touch was the provision of fidget toys for children to take into the performance, which helped make the experience more inclusive and enjoyable for young attendees.

However, the cafe was a bit of a letdown. While it’s large and offers a decent selection, the service was extremely slow, so be prepared for a wait. Additionally, there wasn’t a lot of stock available, which was a bit disappointing. Another issue was the lack of ice cream at the interval, which had been expected for a family-focused performance. The announcement on the day that it wouldn’t be sold left a few children and families disappointed.

In summary, the venue itself is fantastic, but the cafe experience needs...