If you live in the Northeast of England, then there is a very high chance that you have not only heard of Beamish, but have visited multiple times. Beamish museum is arguably the greatest asset we have in the Northeast.

For those of you that have no idea what i’m talking about, Beamish is an open air museum which has working tram lines that connect the entrance to life in the past, ranging from 1820-1940. There are many different parts of the museum and all are authentic buildings from the time that either existed their already, or have been relocated to the museum.

The Important Information (Updated March 2021)

Postcode: DH9 0RG

Open Hours

The museum will be reopening from the 12th April in line with government guidance. Keep an eye on their facebook page for current details about this as it is more up to date than their website right now.

Indoor exhibits will not be able to open untill May 17th, and transport will only be running for the case of the disability accessible bus.

They will be running on a timeslot booking system which they are yet to announce details of.

Prices

When you buy a ticket for beamish, you can use that ticket to come back anytime within the next year. So when you look at it that way, I think the prices are incredibly fair!

Adult: £19.50
Student/Senior (over 60): £14.50
Children (5-16): £11.50
Family tickets are available, more info here.

The Museum

Upon entrance, the first stop is the 1900s pit village. The villages best assets are the mining cottages, school and actual coal mine that you can go down.

Another great part of the village is Davys fish and chip shop. In here you can get all the thing you would expect to find in a chippy, but its all cooked over coal. And honestly, they’re the best chips i’ve ever tasted!

What you have to remember about beamish is that almost everything is authentic of the era it is portraying.

Just up from the pit village is the 1940s home farm. Complete with pig and horses. It also offers a view back down the hill towards the village

From here, the next place is the rail station which is so old that it was never lit by electricity or coal, just oil lamps.

Finally you will find yourself in the Town from the 1900s. This town is filled with everything you would have needed back in the day. There’s the dentists, the co-op, the pub, the printers, the stables, the bank, and of course a sweet shop.

The sweet shop is without a doubt, the best thing about the whole museum. Its a proper old fashioned sweetshop with all the candy from back then.

When we visited we had to try the Vanilla Fudge and Rhubarb and Custards. The fudge was eaten well before I got the chance to take a photo!

There is also the Bakers in the town where you can buy bread, scones and different flavoured biscuits. Again, the ones we bought were eaten before any kind of photo opportunity.

After you’ve overindulged in the town, jump on the tram and head round to Prockerley Hall which is the oldest set in the museum being from the 1820s. The house itself dates back to the 1440s and sits upon a hill with a beautiful view out over the gardens.

Beamish is a fantastic place and truly a credit to the region. I have so many fantastic memories here, from school trips to visiting with my family. And last Sunday, the weather was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend our day.

Thank you so much for reading this post. Please make sure to check ahead with the museum and be sure to follow both their and government guidance when out and about!

Stay Safe and Happy Adventuring!

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