What to do and see in North East England, England: The Best Specialty Museums

March 13, 2022 Franklyn Hardiman

Discover the best top things to do in North East England, United Kingdom including Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Museum, Fans Museum, Museum of Classic Sci-Fi, Bowes Railway, Fusiliers Museum Of Northumberland, Beamish Museum, Hartlepool Quay, The Bowes Museum, Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum, Woodhorn Museum.
Restaurants in North East England

1. Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Museum

Spanish Battery, Tynemouth NE30 4DD England +44 191 257 2059 [email protected] http://www.tvlb.org
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 66 reviews

Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Museum

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.

Reviewed By holl237 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I visited here with my wife and 2 children and despite having last visited around 25 years ago still really enjoyed it. Free entreance with a donations box for a contribution so please remember to bring some cash to support the lifeboat. There's a couple of things for small children (ring the bell, climb the stairs to the watch house) and a lot of interesting artifacts for adults. Probably 30-60mins visit.

2. Fans Museum

Northern Gateway, Sunderland SR5 1AP England +44 7801 393935 [email protected] http://www.fans-museum.co.uk
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3 reviews

Fans Museum

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!

3. Museum of Classic Sci-Fi

Osborne House - Allendale - Northumberland - NE47 9BJ, Allendale, Hexham England http://www.museumofclassicsci-fi.com/
Excellent
91%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 34 reviews

Museum of Classic Sci-Fi

Reviewed By peteraM9645LT - Cramlington, United Kingdom

Came with parents and we all had a great time. The owner is clearly very passionate about his collection and we all marveled at his amazing displays. Dad got very nostalgic seeing props and costumes from the stories he watched as a child. And if you can, buy the guidebook. The £5 goes towards the upkeep of this fascinating place, and its a great read as well. Would definitely return given the chance.

4. Bowes Railway

Springwell Road, Gateshead NE9 7QJ England +44 191 416 1847 [email protected] http://bowesrailway.uk
Excellent
68%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 44 reviews

Bowes Railway

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.

5. Fusiliers Museum Of Northumberland

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick NE66 1NG England +44 1665 602152 http://northumberlandfusiliers.org.uk
Excellent
57%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Fusiliers Museum Of Northumberland

6. Beamish Museum

Regional Resource Centre, Beamish, Stanley DH9 0RG England +44 191 370 4000 [email protected] http://beamish.org.uk
Excellent
76%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,820 reviews

Beamish Museum

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!

Reviewed By M1862OAsamanthab

Fantastic day out for all the family and all ages, see how the north of England use to be from a ride on the tram , to a life on the farm to a bun from the bakery, so much history to absorb, the staff are all very knowledgeable and ready to answer any questions you might have , there is a lovely tea room but the chippy is well worth a try !

7. Hartlepool Quay

Hartlepool Marina Maritime Avenue Jackson Dock, Hartlepool TS24 0XZ England +44 1429 223193 http://www.hartlepoolsmaritimeexperience.com
Excellent
56%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 297 reviews

Hartlepool Quay

Reviewed By 589Richard - Egremont, United Kingdom

A great celebration of the nations maritime history. Well laid out with "shops" giving a real insight into the costume and wares available!

8. The Bowes Museum

Newgate, Barnard Castle DL12 8NP England +44 1833 690606 [email protected] http://thebowesmuseum.org.uk
Excellent
64%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,727 reviews

The Bowes Museum

It’s been delighting visitors for more than 100 years, and now a £12m revamp has transformed The Bowes Museum into a must see 21st Century place to visit.A romantic history, stunning galleries, great location, fine dining, top class exhibitions, family fun events, a thriving toddler group – all these can be discovered inside this fabulous listed building which resembles a French chateau.And that’s not all. It’s surrounded by parkland, woodland walks, formal gardens and a newly opened children’s play area.No visit is complete without a browse in our shop, or a delicious snack in Café Bowes.If you’re looking for a great day out, make The Bowes Museum your destination of choice. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for up to the minute info on what’s on when.

Reviewed By amdgriggs - Sheffield, United Kingdom

Finally made it here, having mistakenly thought for years this was a little local history museum, and wow! Amazing and impressive French chateau style building, imposing setting, and a huge and fascinating collection. We quickly decided to concentrate on just a couple of areas to avoid being completely overwhelmed, so watched the unique silver swan demo (of course!) and then went round the absorbing section on the history of the museum followed by the delightful temporary exhibition on the Pre-Raphaelites. We also managed two visits to the excellent cafe (lovely homemade soup and cheese scones) - so much cosier than the cold and windy day outside. A great discovery for me - I’d be delighted to come for another visit to explore further.

9. Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum

Bridge St The Chantry, Morpeth NE61 1PD England +44 1670 624490 [email protected] http://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/morpeth-chantry-bagpipe-museum
Excellent
47%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 93 reviews

Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum

Reviewed By PaphosGerry - Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom

Found this by chance while walking through the lovely town of Morpeth being Scottish the bagpipe museum has some great detail from countries around the world the displays are exceptional and we'll documented it is well worth a visit and it's free

10. Woodhorn Museum

Woodhorn Museum Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, Ashington NE63 9AN England +44 1670 624455 [email protected] http://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/
Excellent
60%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 776 reviews

Woodhorn Museum

Woodhorn brings to life Northumberland’s proud mining heritage, alongside an ever-changing contemporary arts and event programme – making it a fun and cultural day out. The museum is proud to house the Ashington Group Collection of artworks – commonly known as the ‘Pitmen Painters’. This iconic display showcases what daily life was really like for miners in and around Ashington from the 1930s. It celebrates the people and mining communities of south East Northumberland. Woodhorn has an annual membership charge: £7 - Adult (£6.50 for multiple adults in a group) £6 - Concession Free - 16 and under.

Reviewed By Notjustchips - Milford on Sea, United Kingdom

My dad was a miner so this visit was quite nostalgic. This place gives you the chance to take a glimpse back into the days when coal was King. It goes through the years, showing clips and pictures, along with a soundtrack, of the Northumberland mining community. There is a cafe too. If you are in the area, give this place a visit, it’s so informative.

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