Newcastle Museums

(Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England, UK)



Newcastle MuseumsThe appearance of Newcastle-upon-Tyne may have changed greatly in recent years, but so has the quality of the city's museums and related sights. Suitable for all ages, the museums in Newcastle remain open throughout the year, with some of the best actually being completely free to enter.

Situated close to St. Mary's Cathedral, the Discovery Museum is particularly noteworthy and has grown to become a major science attraction in its own right. Newcastle's Discovery recently won the North East's Best Family Experience award and began its life as far back as the 1930s. Visitors can expect to find lots of hands-on science and technology exhibits, as well as military paraphernalia, fashion collections and even a large steam-powered ship named the 'Turbinia'. Each year, around 500,000 visitors come to the Discovery Museum, enjoying its eclectic exhibitions and regular workshops.


Discovery Museum

Address: Blandford Square, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 4JA, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 232 6789
The Discovery Museum, in Newcastle city centre, recreates local Newcastle life from Roman, medieval and Georgian times to the 20th century. With many interactive exhibits at Newcastle's Discovery Museum, including authentic armour, medieval gossip, Victorian science experiments, 60s fashion and state-of-the-art gadgets, the Discovery Museum is popular with all the family, with many activities for children. The star exhibit at the Discovery Museum is without doubt the Turnbia, the world's first turbine-powered ship that was built in 1894 and was actually the fastest ship in the world at that time.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Newcastle Museums

Bowes Museum

Address: Newgate, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8NP, England
Tel: +44 (0)1833 690 606
County Durham's Bowes Museum is housed in a spectacular building, which French-style architecture. Highlights include a large gallery area, many important local artefacts, and an exhibition of historic toys, demonstrations and attractive gardens.
Open hours: daily - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and families

Museum of Antiquities

Address: The Quadrangle, University Of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 7RU, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 222 7849
Located within the campus of the university, the Museum of Antiquities is home to an outstanding collection on Roman artefacts, including many that relate to Hadrian's Wall. With exhibits dating from 6,000 BC, other attractions at Newcastle's Museum of Antiquities include scale models, reconstructions of Roman buildings and an authentic reconstruction of a Mithraic temple.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Shefton Museum

Address: Armstrong Building, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 7RU, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 222 7971
The Shefton Museum is situated in the city centre and transports you into the amazing world of Greek archaeology and art. With numerous displays and exhibits of Greek and Etruscan ceramics, metalwork and historic sculptures, the Shefton also hosts regular conferences and academic lectures.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Military Museum

Address: Exhibition Park Pavilion, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4PZ, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 281 7222
The Military Museum is home to more than 50 historic wartime and post-war military vehicles, all of which has been lovingly restored. Also notable is the a large collection of wartime weapons, uniforms and seasonal events.
Open hours: April to October, daily - 10:00 to 16:00, November to March, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to dusk
Admission: free



Hancock Museum

Address: Barras Bridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4PT, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 222 6765
The Hancock Museum is one of the most popular in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area and here you will find many fascinating exhibits, such as a large collection of stuffed and live spiders, snakes, lizards and fish. This has grown to become the north's leading natural history museum and other attractions include the spectacular 'Land of the Pharaohs' display, complete with Egyptian tomb treasures and two mummies, many interactive exhibits and regular major exhibitions.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors

Life Science Centre

Address: Times Square, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 4EP, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 243 8223
The Life Science Centre celebrates the origin of life and features many other fascinating exhibits, with hands-on, mind-blowing fun for all the family. With many spectacular displays, which are divided up into zones, impressive shows and a popular gift shop, the Life Science Centre opened in May 2000 at a cost of around £70 million.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors

Stephenson Railway Museum

Address: Middle Engine Lane, North Shields, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE29 8DX, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 200 7145
Situated in the North Tyneside area of Newcastle, the Stephenson Railway Museum features a large collection of important historic steam and electric locomotives, which have all been lovingly restored. With a popular gift shop and many seasonal events, the main highlights include train rides at the weekend, highly regarded Victorian Tea Rooms and scenic views.
Open hours: May to September, Monday to Friday - 11:00 to 15:00, Saturday and Sunday - 11:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

People's Museum of Memorabilia

Address: 42-44 Grainger Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 5JG, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 221 1688
The People's Museum of Memorabilia is located in central Newcastle and successfully recreates Victorian times in the city, with a number of detailed scale models. Other exhibits include a large amount of local Tyne and Wear artefacts, antique shops and a café.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors

Morpeth Bagpipe Museum

Address: Morpeth Chantry Bridge Street, Morpeth, Northumberland, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE61 1JP, England
Tel: +44 (0)1670 519 466
The Morpeth Bagpipe Museum can be found in the Northumberland's county town of Morpeth, some 26 km / 16 miles to the north, and is famous for being the only attractions of its kind in the United Kingdom. With a vast collection of historic bagpipes and related displays, there are also a number of interactive exhibits here.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, seniors and families

Trinity Maritime Centre

Address: 29 Broad Chare, Quayside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 3DQ, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 261 4691
The popular Trinity Maritime Centre is located in the Quayside area of Newcastle and celebrates the history of the River Tyne. With many detailed scale models of historic Newcastle ships, boats and important warships, the Trinity Maritime Centre also features a café area and scenic views of the Quayside.
Open hours: April to October, Monday to Friday - 11:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors

Watch House Museum

Address: Spanish Battery, Tynemouth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE30 4DD, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 257 2059
The Watch House is sited within the Tynemouth district and features a large number of historic exhibits from Newcastle's nautical past. Highlights at the Watch House Museum include wooden figureheads from important ships, paintings, photographs and a large amount of local maritime memorabilia.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 15:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 12:00
Admission: free

Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum

Address: Baring Street, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE33 2BB, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 456 1369
The Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum is located in South Tyneside, close to the city, and attractions here include the remains of a large Roman fort, many artefacts and important finds, the remains of a settlement that dates back to the Iron Age, and an impressive reconstruction of the Roman Fort's West Gate.
Open hours: April to September, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:30, Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00, October to March, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Beamish Open Air Museum

Address: Stanley, Beamish, County Durham, DH9 0RG, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 370 4000
Located in County Durham, to the west of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the Beamish Open Air Museum features authentic reconstructions of the area during Edwardian times. Extremely family friendly, children in particular will enjoy the tram rides, the drift mine, the newspaper printing and the authentic, historic sweet shop.
Open hours: April to October, daily - 10:00 to 17:00, November to March, Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors