The Queen's Royal Lancers and Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum

The Queen's Royal Lancers & Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum traces the history of three old and famous cavalry Regiments: The Queen's Royal Lancers, The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry and The South Nottinghamshire Hussars. The museum, opened on 26 July 2011 by HRH Princess Alexandra, is located at Thoresby in North Nottinghamshire.

The three regiments have amalgamated their collections to create a combined museum within Thoresby Courtyard, in partnership with The Stonebridge Trust. The museum tells the human, social and military history of the regiments and the story of the British cavalry from the days of the horseback charge, through the great tank battles of the Second World War, to present-day operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

History
The project took almost three years in planning and was made possible through a partnership of the three regiments and The Stonebridge Trust, who not only provided the venue but also contributed to the capital works. Other main partners were the Leader Project, which provided European money for rural regeneration, and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

HRH Princess Alexandra officially opened The Queen’s Royal Lancers and Nottinghamshire Yeomanry museum on the 26th July 2011.

Exhibition
The museum tells the human, social and military history of the Regiments and the on-going story of the British Army today. A unique collection of arms, uniforms, medals, silver and paintings illustrate the role that the local regiments have played in the great battles of the last three centuries and continue to play in international conflicts of the present day.

Unique exhibits include an original 'red-coat' as worn during the American War of Independence, a tin of chocolate from the Boer War, and the original bugle blown to sound the Charge of the Light Brigade.

The museum also provides an insight into how the Yeomanry was raised in Nottinghamshire with the help of the great families of the county, including the Pierreponts, to help maintain law and order at a time when England was governed by the landed gentry.

Opening times
1 March - 30 November, Wednesday to Sunday including Bank Holidays, 10.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. (last entry 4.00 p.m.) Closed Monday and Tuesday except Bank Holidays and by appointment.

1 December - 28 February, closed except by appointment.

Entry to the museum is free.