Visit Us
Here you will find the information you need for visiting the Museum of Timekeeping
Opening Times
Every Friday 10.30 am- 3.30 pm (last entry 2.45 pm) between 5th April- 25th October 2024.
Admission; tickets can be purchased on the door.
Standard Tickets: general opening for 2024:
Adult: £10
Under 14s: Free
Timekeepers’ Club Members: Free
Art Pass Holders: £5
BHI Members: £4
Group Visits available all year round (see Group Visit page for more details)
Getting Here
We are located at the home of the British Horological Institute (BHI) at Upton Hall in the Nottinghamshire Village of Upton, which is situated between Southwell (3 miles away) and Newark on Trent (6 miles away).
Address: Museum of Timekeeping, Upton Hall, Main Street, Upton, Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, NG23 5TE.
Car
The Museum is located on the A612- within easy reach from the A1, A46 and A52. A large free car park is available onsite.
When travelling from Newark direction: take the A617 towards Mansfield. Turn left at the traffic lights which are signposted for Upton/Southwell. Follow the road to Upton. The Museum and car park entrance is situated off Main Street, signposted on the right, after the sharp bend where Hockerton Lane adjoins Main Street.
When travelling from Southwell direction on the A612, continue into the village. The Museum and car park entrance is situated off Main Street, signposted on the left, around 200m beyond the Cross Keys pub (and before the sharp bend where Hockerton Lane adjoins Main Street).
If you prefer to use SatNav, our postcode is NG23 5TE
Train
The nearest mainline train stations are located in Newark-on-Trent, around 6 miles from Upton. Trains call at both Newark Northgate and Newark Castle stations. Onward travel is possible from Newark to Upton by taxi or via limited bus services. Please plan your onward journey carefully in advance to ensure availability.
Bus
A limited number of buses run through Upton. Services are operated by Stagecoach (route 29) and Travel Wright (routes 227 and 365). Please check your arrival and departure options carefully, noting that not all services run throughout each day, with some confined only to morning or afternoon travel. For up to date timetables and to plan your journey please visit the Traveline East Midlands website.
Taxi
An internet search for Newark-on-Trent taxis will reveal several firms offering taxi services to and from Upton. Pre-booking is recommended to ensure availability. From Newark town centre to Upton taxi fares are likely to fall in the region of £10-£15 each way.
Bicycle or by Foot
A roadside footpath along the A612 links with the village of Southwell about 3 miles away..
Planning Your Visit
Here you will more information to make your visit to the Museum of Timekeeping easier and more enjoyable.
We recommend allowing at least one hour for your visit or as long as you wish.
Our exhibits are updated regularly and we always encourage returning visitors.
Access
The Museum entrance is located at the front of Upton Hall directly behind the large armillary sphere, which is mounted on to a large stone base surrounded by a level tarmac path, There are a small number of stairs leading to the main entrance.
The Museum’s accessible entry point is signposted from the car park into the building via a side door behind the Clock House Café building. Door widths and access points into and within the building are suitable for standard sized wheelchairs and small mobility scooters.
For more information about access and accessibility, please click the link here: ‘Accessibility’
Animals
We do not allow animals into Museum buildings, unless they are registered guide, assistant and companion animals. They must be wearing their tabards/harness. Please bring the relevant identification book with you..
Consideration for Others
Please consider other visitors when using your phone in the galleries and gardens. Please respect the space of other visitors. .
Health, Safety & Security
All of our staff are first aid trained fire safety trained, and there is a defibrillator on site should you require assistance.
We do not tolerate any verbal or physical abuse of our staff, volunteers or visitors.
Unaccompanied Children
Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult inside the Museum. The Museum reserves the right to refuse admittance to any unaccompanied child under the age of 14.
During Your Visit
Archive & Library
Enter a realm where each moment unfolds a narrative, anchored by a vast collection of resources. Our archive and library stand as the cornerstone of our mission, embodying the essence of our commitment to preserving history and empowering future explorations.
Archive & library are open by appointment Monday-Thursday 10 am – 2.30 pm and without an appointment on Fridays 10.30 am – 3.30 pm.
Learn More
Group Vists
We accept group size of 15-40 people is ideal but we can accommodate larger groups by arrangement. To provide exclusivity, tours are booked outside of general opening hours and they can be arranged during any time of year.
Learn More
Exhibitions
Immerse yourself our exhibitions, where the essence of time is explored through meticulously curated narratives. Each display is a deep dive into time’s pivotal role and its inextricable link to the human experience. Highlights include the Early Timekeeping Gallery, showcasing the genesis of time measurement; the grandeur of the Longcase Clock’s evolution in the Grand Hall and Upper Gallery; the precision and beauty of timepieces in the Wonders of Watches Gallery; the innovation of the Speaking Clock Gallery; and the technological advancements in the Electric Horology Gallery.
Exhibitions are open every on Fridays between 10.30 am- 3.30 pm or Group Visits or during special events.
Learn More
Shop
In our on-site shop, you will discover an exclusive array of Museum-branded merchandise and artworks by local artist Denis Peach. Immerse yourself in literature and family-friendly gifts that reflect the storied past of timekeeping and the British Horological Institute.
Café
The independent on-site café, the Clock House Café, offers a range of homemade treats, sandwiches and meals, as well as cold refreshments and the finest loose-leaf tea and coffee.
The café is open fon Wednesday to Saturday.rom 9:30am- 4.00pm.