10 Specialty Museums in Tyne and Wear That You Shouldn't Miss

This Volunteer Life Brigade maritime museum details the history of the first Volunteer Life Brigade to be formed in the United Kingdom and her colonies on December 5th 1864 after the loss of 32 souls within sight of the shore when the schooner "Friendship" and the steamer "Stanley" came to grief on the Black Midden rocks at the mouth of the river Tyne during a South Easterly gale on the afternoon and early evening of the 24th November 1864. The museum contains many unique artefacts salvaged or donated from vessels wrecked along our shore and historic photographs and paintings showing the role of the brigade since it was formed. The brigade is still fully active providing search and rescue services along the coast from the Tyne to Seaton Sluice and upriver to the Tyne bridges and further if required. The brigade are the eyes and ears for the coastguard and are a declared search and rescue facility to HM Coastguard.

A unique museum for all fans from around the world to attend, supporting all aspects of disabilities young and old, supporting Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Veterans and so much more; a unique destination for all ages. Come along and try on your idols’ matchworn shirt, boots, medals won by players and much more!

The Museum of the North of England is a stimulating and vibrant and prestigious museum right in the heart of the North of England. You are invited to enter the wonderful and educational and frightening world of the North. You can look at things, read things, if you can't read you can look at more things. Old things and new things. The past come to life. Enjoy your visit and thank you.

The Bowes Railway is unique amongst preserved railways. It is home to the only standard gauge rope hauled incline still in operation. A visit to Bowes includes a visitor trail around our scheduled industrial monument, the rope hauled inclines, a three mile steam hauled train ride and refreshment facilities. All of this can be found at a small but friendly railway at the heart of the North East.

Based in a unique, contemporary glass and steel building, the National Glass Centre houses exhibition galleries, artists' studios and production facilities, a craft & design shop and an award winning café/restaurant. National Glass Centre is part of the University of Sunderland. We deliver a programme of changing exhibitions, education programmes and events for schools, families, adults and children. We are dedicated to exploring ideas through glass and providing opportunities for people to be creative, enjoy themselves and feel inspired.

Following new advice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in line with other cultural organisations, we have taken the difficult decision to close the Great North Museum: Hancock from 5pm on Wednesday 18 March. This is provisionally until 1 May 2020 but we will be reviewing the situation and updating if anything changes. Please sign up to our emails at mustseemuseums.org.uk and check our social media channels and website so we can keep you up to date with what’s going on. Thank you for your support and understanding at this challenging time. Stay well and we look forward to welcoming you back in due course. About Great North Museum: Hancock Journey through 350 million years of evolution to discover the story of our planet and its people. From the pretty to the poisonous, the terrifying to the tiny, explore the wonder and diversity of our world at the award winning Great North Museum: Hancock.

The Tanfield Railway, the World's oldest railway dating back to 1725, is a wonderful day out for all the family, whatever the weather. Just sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery as steam drifts past your vintage carriage in a truly yesteryear atmosphere, when lifes pace was less hurried. Trains operate every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday throughout the year, plus Thursdays and Saturdays during the school Summer holidays. Make sure to break your journey at Causey Arch and take a walk across the World's oldest surviving railway, built in 1725 to transport coal from the Durham Coalfields to the River Tyne. Also, a short stroll from Andrews House station, is the engineering base of the railway at Marley Hill. Here you can get up close to our working and stored locomotives within the World's oldest working engine shed, built in 1854. Catering facilities are located at Andrews House station, Pontop Canteen at Marley Hill and Tommy Armstrong's tea room at East Tanfield station.