Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

This multi-award winning museum is unique – objects aren’t locked away in glass cases, this really is hands-on history.

New for 2019! Experience the excitement and community spirit of the 1950s with our new welfare hall. The building is a replica of the Leasingthorne Colliery Welfare Hall and Community Centre, now known as Coundon and Leeholme Community Centre.

There’s a packed schedule of events at the new 1950s welfare hall for visitors to enjoy. Take part in art based activities every Monday, visit the Youth Club each Tuesday and explore your theatrical side on Wednesdays with our amateur dramatics sessions.

Visit the NHS Mother and Baby Clinic on Thursdays to find out more about bringing up a baby in the 1950s. Visit the Friendship Club on Friday mornings and take part in a seated exercise class with Golden Hearts – a group who also meet at the original hall – every Friday afternoon.

Call in to our coffee morning for a cuppa each Saturday and Sunday morning and music in the afternoons with a live band on the last Saturday of every month!

Stroll down the cobbled street of The 1900s Town and meet the friendly townsfolk. Brave a visit to the dentist’s in Ravensworth Terrace, sample popular handmade confectionery in the sweet shop and do a spot of Edwardian shopping in the Co-op.

Grab a hard hat and take an underground tour of the drift mine to find out how hard life was for miners and then pop in to the cottages in The 1900s Pit Village to see how miners and their families lived. Learn your times tables in the school and visit the chapel. Don’t forget to meet our pit ponies in their stables.

Take a steam ride through the Georgian Landscape at The Waggonway, meet the residents of Pockerley Old Hall, visit the beautiful St Helen’s Church and see Joe the Quilter’s cottage to find out more about the brutal murder of a renowned Georgian quilter.

Experience life on the Home Front during the Second World War at The 1940s Farm. Learn about cooking with rations and “make do and mend”, say hello to the Land Girls and learn to drill with the Home Guard.

Add a little something special to your group’s visit and enjoy a taste of Beamish with Dainty Bites, a light buffet lunch, served in a private room overlooking the award-winning 1900s Town. Groups visiting during the festive season can experience a truly traditional experience, a wonderful Christmas lunch served with all the trimmings (subject to availability and excluding local school and Bank Holidays – Dainty Bites and Festive Treat must be booked in advance).

Remember your visit to Beamish with an exclusive group rate at JR & D Edis Photographers in The 1900s Town. Experience an Edwardian visit to a photographer’s studio and be transformed into an Edwardian as you have your photograph taken in front of a beautiful hand-painted scene. You will get a copy of the photograph to take home (Groups offer price only available midweek during term time. Must be booked in advance).

Beamish Museum is open all year and offers a packed programme of exciting events, from the Great North Festival of Transport and the Georgian Fair to the Festival of 50s and a whole season of Christmas celebrations. There’s no extra charge for daytime events, they’re included in the admission price.

Beamish has been awarded Coach Friendly Status by The Confederation of Passenger Transport. The accolade rewards the museum’s commitment to providing excellent service for coaches and groups, and our understanding of the requirements of the coach, its passengers and driver.

The museum offers discounted day admission for pre-booked groups of 15 or more. Group visits to Beamish Museum also include:

• Free admission for coach driver and group organiser
• Free coach parking
• Coach driver hospitality
• Free promotional leaflets

To book a group visit, please contact the Bookings Officer, tel. 0191 370 4026 (weekdays 8.30am to 4pm), email bookings@beamish.org.uk.