Origins
‘Mechanics Institutes’ were originally founded in 1821 by Dr George Birkbeck.
Around the beginning of British industrialisation, he saw the need to educate artisans and mechanics, and these establishments rapidly became meeting places and centres for social activity in many towns and cities.
Today, The Nottingham Mechanics (1837) is one of the few remaining in the world and we are proud to be carrying on the tradition in our present home, purpose-built in 2003 to take us into the 21st Century with activities for all – whether they be artisans or artists, mechanics or mathematicians.
More details of The Nottingham Mechanics Institute history.
Clubs and Societies
The following groups are among those meeting at The Mechanics to enjoy its facilities:
- Nottingham Poetry Society
- Keep Fit with Audrey Malik
- Nottingham Writers’ Club
- The Thoroton Society (local history)
- The Sewing Room
- The Embroiderers’ Guild
- The Harlequin Club (ladies’ group)
- The Dickens Fellowship
- Nottingham Shakespeare Society
- The W.E.A.
- The Notts and Derbyshire Labour History Society (NDLHS)
More details of Clubs and Societies events in the calendar.
Room Hire
We offer meeting rooms of various sizes to outside groups, to hire at modest prices during the day or in the evening.
Rooms suitable for:
- talks
- meetings
- classes & workshops
- presentations
- study groups
The library, bar, restaurant and lounge are available for use by groups hiring rooms.
The library has a collection of over 2,000 books and has a selection of Daily Newspapers.
The restaurant has a 5* food hygiene rating.
Limited car parking is also available.
Disabled access is available.
More details of Room Hire.
Members’ Activities
As well as all the facilities in the building, members of The Mechanics also enjoy regular talks on a wide variety of subjects, film shows, musical appreciation, and theatre visits.
In addition, we have all-year-round day trips and outstanding holidays to destinations in the UK and abroad, at reasonable prices, with our knowledgeable guide.
Members have access to free wi-fi.
See how to become a Nottingham Mechanics member.
Our Charity – Aims & activities
To promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the City of Nottingham and the neighbourhood thereof by the advancement of education and the provision, in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving conditions of life, of facilities for recreation and other leisure-time occupation.
Registered Charity No. 522274
To find out more about us …
…please come along and visit us to view for yourself our facilities and activities.
Our Manager would be delighted to show you around, explain how the Centre works, and give details of the many aspects of The Nottingham Mechanics – which was recently described by one new member as being ‘Nottingham’s best-kept secret’!
Come to one of our open ‘Meet and Greet’ mornings:
1st Saturday of every month, 11:00am
Contact us
Tel: 0115 9417353
Email: manager@nottingham-mechanics.org.uk