12 Must-Visit Museums in the North East
Step into the region's fascinating history at one of these fantastic museums
National Museum of the Royal Navy
Experience life at sea nearly 200 years ago and step aboard Europe’s oldest floating warship, HMS Trincomalee – the last of Admiral Lord Nelson’s frigates. See what life was really like as you visit the Chandler’s shop, hear the firing of the cannon and musket, and see the fighting ships exhibit. Don’t miss Diving Deep: HMS Invincible 1744, an exhibition which explores the fascinating underwater excavation of HMS Invincible, whose capture revolutionised ship design for the Royal Navy. Rediscovered after 200 years, the ship sank after only a decade of service.
Jackson Dock, Maritime Avenue, Hartlepool TS24 0XZ
023 9289 1370
nmrn.org.uk
RNLI Grace Darling
This museum commemorates the life of Victorian Britain’s greatest heroine. In September 1838, 22-year-old Grace Darling and her father rowed a mile out to sea in the middle of a storm to rescue survivors from the stricken steamship SS Forfarshire in a fragile wooden boat. Grace was able to keep the boat steady as her father helped rescue four men and a woman. This museum celebrates the heroic rescue, and her life. Buried in Bamburgh’s churchyard, you can read all about her story, and why it’s still so important today, at livingnorth.com.
Radcliffe Road, Bamburgh NE69 7AE
01668 214910
rnli.org
Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery
Experience the stories and history of Alnwick and beyond being brought to life at this award-winning people’s museum. Spread over three floors, this museum traces more than 10,000 years of history with a permanent collection of artefacts documents and audio visuals about the town. Exhibitions and events take place throughout the year including art exhibitions from prominent local talent.
14 Bailiffgate, Alnwick NE66 1LX
01665 605847
bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk
Beamish: The Living Museum of the North
An all-day (ever expanding) destination for the whole family, this Northern icon was the brainchild of Frank Atkinson who moved to the region in the late 1950s. He saw a unique way of life here which he felt could disappear so he set about collecting local culture in as many ways as he could. Using objects, images and stories donated by local people to create an archive of North East life covering the past two centuries, this open-air museum is unlike any other. From the 1900s Pit Village and the 1940s Farm, to the more recently added 1950s Town (with its own working cinema), there’s always something to discover here. Take a ride on a bus or tram, pop into the replica home of famous North East artist Norman Cornish and don’t miss a trip to the iconic sweetshop in the 1900s Town.
Beamish DH9 0RG
0191 370 4000
beamish.org.uk
North East Land, Sea & Air Museums
Sitting on the former site of RAF Usworth and Sunderland airport, here visitors will find an impressive aviation collection with more than 30 aircraft and military vehicles on display, including a Cold War Avro Vulcan B2 Bomber, which flew into the former airport to become the first Vulcan to go into a private collection. There’s a dedicated 607 Squadron display, a World War II street scene and Romney Huts housing a naval collection too.
Old Washington Road, Sunderland SR5 3HZ
0191 519 0662
nelsam.org.uk
Land of Oak & Iron
Stretching across the beautiful landscape of Derwent Valley for 177 square kilometres, this area was once the cradle of the Industrial Revolution and home to a thriving iron and steel industry. At the heart of it all is the Heritage Centre where you can learn all about the area and its industrial past with guided walks, talks, creative workshops and special events. Dotted throughout the area are the remains of the North East’s industrial past for you to discover. At Path Head Water Mill, visit the restored water mill and the surrounding beauty of Blaydon Burn Nature Reserve. Nearby, the Whinfield Coke Ovens (built in 1861) produced coke from coal and were the last in operation in Britain.
Winlaton Mill, near Blaydon NE21 6RU
01207 524898
landofoakandiron.org.uk
Woodhorn Museum
On this site in Ashington, (which was once the largest pit village in the world), visitors will find a fantastic museum and art space. Explore Coal Town, a permanent installation depicting the lives of coal miners. This former colliery retains some of its original buildings and equipment including two head frames, a steam winding engine, and a blacksmith’s and joiner’s shop. Discover the true story of coal mining, and what it was like to be a miner in Northumberland. You’ll cram into the cage, go into miners’ homes, on picnics, on marches and even on strike, and you might even learn to love leeks, but what you definitely will discover is the power of their shared community values. Visitors can also experience the world of the Pitmen Painters, the famous amateur art group from Ashington, through their collection which celebrated its 90th anniversary last year.
Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, Ashington NE63 9YF
01670 624455
museumsnorthumberland.org.uk
The Heritage Centre at Bellingham
Presenting the social, agricultural and industrial history of the area, visitors can learn all about the North Tyne and Rede Valleys through imagery, sound and objects. There’s also a section about the Border Reivers and there’s loads to discover about local trains, working life, disappearing dialects, blacksmiths and the rebellious Reivers.
Station Yard, Woodburn Road, Bellingham NE48 2DG
01434 220050
bellingham-heritage.org.uk
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Combining centuries of local history, acclaimed art exhibitions and the stunning tropical Winter Gardens, this is a must-visit for families this summer. The historical collection here dates back to 1846 (and by far the most famous item in the collection is Wallace the Lion – a remaining part of a touring animal show which visited Sunderland in 1868). Across four floors visitors can explore everything from shipbuilding and the coal mines to glassmaking and the Anglo-Saxon monks who called Monkwearmouth home.
Burdon Road, Sunderland SR1 1PP
0191 561 2323
sunderlandculture.org.uk
Windermere Jetty Museum
Discover Windermere’s 200-year-old boating history at Windermere Jetty Museum which brings together art displays, family-friendly activities, creative workshops, talks and events. Inside the interactive galleries, visitors can take an up-close look at motorboats, sailing yachts and speed boats, and you can even see expert boatbuilders at work. Children will love the model boating pond and in the Blue Space (until September) they can immerse themselves in the imaginative playground inspired by water, STEM and engineering. When the weather is playing ball, why not venture out on the lake in one of the restored heritage boats?
Rayrigg Road, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 1BN
lakelandarts.org.uk
Discovery Museum
Beginning life in Exhibition Park, this was the first science museum outside London. A celebration of local innovation and history, step through the doors of the Discovery Museum and you’ll be met by the impressive Turbinia, a 34-metre steam ship which was once the fastest in the world. With a focus on the area’s maritime, scientific and technological historical prowess, the museum is spread across four floors and there’s a great range of exhibitions, from the permanent Destination Tyneside (which tells the story of migrants who made Tyneside their home), to Story of the Tyne which tells the social history of people from the North East. Keep your eyes peeled for their Discovery Nights – a series of special after-hours immersive sessions for adults.
Blandford Square, Newcastle NE1 4JA
0191 232 6789
northeastmuseums.org.uk
Ad Gefrin
Bringing life to the untold story of Northumbria’s golden age and the Anglo-Saxon kings and queens of its past, this museum and whisky distillery is a celebration of the unique heritage of the area, ancient hospitality, and contemporary crafts, arts, and produce of Northumberland including the Northumbrian tradition for whisky distilling. Enter the immersive Great Hall and museum to learn more, or book a distillery tour where you can see their vast copper stills producing Northumbrian single malt whisky.
South Road, Wooler NE71 6NJ
01668 281554
adgefrin.co.uk
