The Beamish Museum

Journey through time at the Beamish Museum and discover the history, heritage, and heart of the North East.

Visitor Information: The Beamish Museum

• The Beamish Museum

  Description

  The Beamish Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the North East of England, and for good reason. Located in County Durham, the museum is a living, working museum that offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into life in the region in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

  The museum covers over 300 acres and features a range of historic buildings and exhibits that have been carefully preserved and restored to their original condition. Visitors can explore a range of exhibits, including a 1900s town, a 1940s farm, and a colliery village, and learn about the day-to-day lives of people in the region during different periods of history.

  One of the highlights of a visit to the Beamish Museum is the chance to ride on the museum’s vintage trams and buses, which transport visitors around the site and offer a unique and immersive way to experience the museum’s exhibits.

  The museum also offers a range of interactive experiences and activities, including demonstrations of traditional crafts such as blacksmithing and woodworking, and opportunities to try traditional foods such as freshly baked bread and cakes.

  In addition to its exhibits and activities, the Beamish Museum is also home to a range of rare and endangered animals, including rare breeds of sheep, pigs, and cows. Visitors can explore the museum’s animal enclosures and learn about the important role that animals played in the region’s history and culture.

  Overall, the Beamish Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history and culture. With its fascinating exhibits, interactive experiences, and beautiful surroundings, the museum offers a unique and unforgettable experience that is perfect for visitors of all ages.

  So why not plan a visit to the Beamish Museum today and step back in time to experience life in the North East as it once was?

• Highlights

  Not to be missed when visiting

  The 1900s Town: Step back in time and stroll down the street of this Edwardian town. Experience the local shops, including the Co-op, the bakery, the sweet shop, and the garage. Don’t miss the town park and bandstand, the perfect place for a picnic.

  The 1900s Pit Village: This colliery village represents a Durham mining community in the early 20th century. Here, you can see the pit cottages, school, chapel, and even a functioning fish and chip shop from the era.

  The 1940s Farm: Get a sense of wartime Britain on the Home Front. You’ll see the farmhouse, the land girl’s cottage, pigsties, and wartime crops.

  The 1820s Pockerley: Experience early rural life in the region at Pockerley Old Hall and the Pockerley Waggonway, where you can ride on a replica steam locomotive.

  The 1900s Colliery: Understand the region’s coal mining history by exploring the mine, lamp cabin, and engine shed.

  Transport: Experience authentic period transportation, including vintage buses, trams, and the Pockerley Waggonway steam train.