Beamish Open-Air Museum
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Port
Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$180
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Step back in time at the Beamish Open-Air Museum, where dozens of original buildings from different time periods have been assembled to create a historical town.
Drive inland for approximately an hour to reach this collection of historical buildings. Beamish reflects two significant points in history: when the region was rural in the 1820s, and when it was thriving at the peak of the Industrial Revolution in the early 1900s.
Board a historic (usually double-decker) tram and travel down the main street of Beamish, taking in the fascinating sights. All of the buildings in Beamish are original, brought in from elsewhere, and then reconstructed brick by brick. To add even more atmosphere and authenticity, the townspeople wear period costumes and are employed in the various professions of the time.
Spanning 300 acres, an Edwardian town and colliery have been re-created with farms, railways, tramways, a co-op shop, a pub, a printer's and a chapel. It is a living museum of the years around 1913, showing the impact of industry on people's lives, and is one of the Northeast's most popular and fascinating attractions.
Enjoy three hours of free time here to visit the stables, the Motor & Cycle Works, and the sweet shop, where various confections are still made to the original recipes. There is a bank with its safes wisely located in the cellar, and a dentist's office, where you can view the rather gruesome surgical equipment used to extract teeth. The railway station looks just like it did in Edwardian times, right down to the authentic signal box.
Rejoin your coach and travel back to the pier.
Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable/reef-safe sunscreen. Bring bottled water.