The 10 Best Museums in County Durham, England

A small rural art gallery/studio featuring original oil paintings and prints by Sandra Parker, Yorkshire Dales sheep painter. The gallery is situated in Barnard Castle, County Durham and features various fell bred sheep including Herdwicks, Swaledale, Rough Fell and Texel breeds. Full postal service available to send overseas.

The Weardale Museum is a volunteer run charity in Ireshopeburn, County Durham. It is a small cottage museum which occupies the house next to High House Methodist Chapel, the oldest methodist Chapel in continuous use. The Museum collection tells the story of the lead-mining people and also their encounters with John Wesley and the early methodists and a visit to the chapel is part of the admission fee. The trustees encourage visitors to touch and interact with many of the fascinating objects in their Weardale Kitchen. Durham quilts and a beautifully embroidered tapestry of Weardale History are among the highlights of a visit as well as the collection of sparkling crystals and minerals from the nearby lead mines. For those interested in family history we offer a huge database of over 60,000 Weardale people. Our season starts at the Easter weekend and then we are open From May 1st to October 31st. Check our website for details of the hours and days of opening.

Thought Foundation is now a reality. A place where creative thought and play are nurtured. Where new skills are learned, and where you can eat, drink or buy things that enrich the experience and hopefully make your life better. Thought Foundation is a thoughtful arts and cultural space, to inspire, promote and support; a community interest company based in Birtley, Gateshead.

The Mining Art Gallery will provide a permanent home for more than 400 works from prominent local artists connected with the regions mining communities, including Tom McGuinness and Norman Cornish. The gallery will be located in the former Old Bank Chambers in the heart of the Market Place. Parking available at North Bondgate car park, DL14 7PG. PLEASE NOTE: We are temporarily closed due to Covid-19.

The Bob Abley art gallery is made up of both large and small rooms hosting a large selection of sensational and affordable art for sale as well as a fine collection of permanent works demonstrating Spennymoor’s great heritage of mining art. While owned by the Town Council, the gallery is run on a daily basis by hard working and committed volunteers who will happily show you around and explain things for you. The main gallery is the Norman Cornish Room. The exhibition hosts the work of Spennymoor’s most famous artist and includes a selection of original pieces of his work, loaned by Northumbria University, the Town Council and the Cornish Family. There is also a large selection of original work by Norman Cornish for sale as well as a range of framed and unframed prints, books, post cards and posters. With video footage of Norman talking about the area and how and why he painted in the way he did playing throughout your visit, this really is an experience not to be missed.

Come and see over a thousand years of history, art, culture and faith, within the beautiful surroundings of The Auckland Project, which centres on historic Auckland Castle, once the seat of England’s powerful Prince Bishops. The destination also includes the Mining Art Gallery, Auckland Tower and Deer Park, with a Spanish Gallery, Faith Museum and Walled Garden to come. Parking available at North Bondgate car park, DL14 7PG. PLEASE NOTE: We are temporarily closed due to Covid-19.

Experience amazing sights, sounds, smells and delicious tastes as the past comes to life. Beamish is unique - our objects aren't locked away in glass cases, this is hands-on history! Step into the past and explore our 350 acre site, as Beamish tells the story of the people of North East England in the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s. Taste traditional food from a coal-fired range, hop on board a tram or steam train, play schoolyard games together and pop into the Co-op shops. Come back time and time again with your Beamish Unlimited Pass, which allows 12 months free entry to the museum from your visit - including all day time special events!