Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum

Beamish
County Durham
DH9 0RG

Tel: +44 (0)191 370 4000
Fax: +44 (0)191 370 4001
Email: museum@beamish.org.uk
Web: http://www.beamish.org.uk/


Beamish is no ordinary museum but a living, working experience of life as it was in the Great North in the early 1800s and 1900s.

Beamish is a world famous open air museum. It tells the story of the people of North East England at two important points of their history - 1825 and 1913. In 1825 the region was rural and thinly populated. The industrial revolution, especially the coming of the railways, accelerated change. By 1913 the region's heavy industries were at their peak.

Beamish is not a traditional museum. Most of the houses, shops and other buildings have been "deconstructed" from elsewhere in the region and rebuilt here. A few, the Drift Mine, Home Farm and Pockerley Manor were here already. All are buildings filled with objects, furniture and machinery - real things from the extensive collections.

You will find here no glass cases and few labels. Within the buildings you will find costumed people who are trained to talk to visitors and to answer their questions. The staff are proud of their heritage. The museum believes that the reality of human beings is better than technological virtual reality. It is this belief that distinguishes it from other museums.

New for 2006 - Opening at Easter in The Town at Beamish is a fascinating Masonic Hall, giving an insight into the world of Freemasonry in 1913. The only one of its kind in Europe permanently on show to the public.

Visit the authentic Masonic Hall, recreated in the 1913 Town and discover the mysteries of the Freemasons or take a ride behind Puffing Billy, a replica of one of the world's oldest surviving steam locos at Pockerley Waggonway.

General Information:

  • Accessible toilets in most areas
  • Café, pub and coffee shop
  • Souvenir shops
  • Picnic areas
  • Baby changing
  • Free car parking
  • Dogs welcome on leads but not in buildings
  •  

    Opening Times
    (2007 times)
    2nd January to 30th March:
    10.00am - 4.00pm, last admission 3.00pm.

    Closed: Mondays and Fridays.

    31st March to 28th October:
    Daily from 10.00am - 5.00pm, last admission 3.00pm.

    29th October to 14th March 2008:
    10.00am to 4.00pm, last admission 3.00pm.

    Closed Mondays and Fridays:
    Also closed 10th Dec 2007 to 1st Jan 2008 inclusive.

    Admission Charges
    (2007 prices)
    Summer:
    Adult £16.00; Senior Citizen £12.50; Child (5-16yrs) £10.00; Student in full time education £12.50 Proof of student status required.

    Winter: £6.00 per person.

    Under 5yrs always free.

    Directions
    Beamish is well signposted from the A1M, Junction 63. From the North and South: Follow the A1M to Junction 63 (Chester-le-Street exit), then the A693 towards Stanley for 4 miles, following the signs.
    From the West: Take the A68 to Castleside, near Consett, and follow the Beamish Museum signs along the A692 and A693 via Stanley.
    Show map of Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum...

    Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum Postcode for SatNav: DH9 0RG

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