Venture to the Historic Beamish Museum in Durham: 7 Compelling Reasons
Discover Beamish Museum, a captivating living museum nestled just outside the village of Beamish in County Durham, where history comes to life. This unique attraction offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in various eras of British history, from the 1820s to the 1950s.
The museum's newest addition, the 1950s Town, is a replica of the Leasingthorne Colliery Welfare Hall and Community Centre, providing a glimpse into the community spirit of the fifties. Here, you can enjoy a bite at the British Kitchen, serving stotties with hot fillings, or visit Davy's Fried Fish Shop for traditional fish and chips made using beef dripping.
As you venture further into the museum, you'll find the 1940s Farm, offering insights into wartime life in the countryside. The farm's buildings, meticulously decorated and furnished, transport you back to the era, while costumed staff members answer questions and provide valuable insights.
The museum also boasts a significant section dedicated to Durham's mining history, including the 1900s Pit Village and Colliery Yard, where you can tour an actual drift mine. Here, you'll also find the 1900s Town, featuring a high street, shops, houses, and a mining community, all authentically recreated.
In the 1900s Town, you can indulge in sweet treats at the traditional sweet shop, enjoy a meal at the vintage Tea Room, or grab a bite at The Sun Inn. The town's buildings, saved from demolition and rebuilt brick by brick, add to the authenticity of the experience.
Beamish Museum is easily accessible by car and public transportation, with bus services available from Chester-le-Street, Sunderland, Newcastle, and Gateshead, or by train to Chester-le-Street or Newcastle and a connecting bus.
Visitors can enjoy a full day of exploration, with a year's worth of free entry included in the ticket price, which ranges from £33.00 for an adult day ticket to £92.00 for a family day ticket (for a family of five). The museum also offers various ticket options, including the Beamish Unlimited Pass, providing a year's free entry, and the National Art Pass, offering 50% off entry.
Throughout the year, Beamish Museum hosts a variety of events and festivals, such as the Summer of Fun, Dig for Victory, Classic Car Day, Halloween Evenings, and Christmas at Beamish, ensuring there's always something new to discover. So, step back in time and live, touch, and taste history at Beamish Museum, the Living Museum of the North.
[1]: Beamish Museum (2021). Opening times. [online] Available at: https://www.beamish.org.uk/visit/opening-times [2]: Beamish Museum (2021). Ticket prices. [online] Available at: https://www.beamish.org.uk/visit/ticket-prices [3]: Beamish Museum (2021). Beamish Unlimited Pass. [online] Available at: https://www.beamish.org.uk/visit/beamish-unlimited-pass [4]: Beamish Museum (2021). National Art Pass. [online] Available at: https://www.beamish.org.uk/visit/national-art-pass [5]: Beamish Museum (2021). FAQs. [online] Available at: https://www.beamish.org.uk/visit/faqs
- At Beamish Museum, you can taste a piece of British history through the traditional food options like stotties and fish and chips in the 1950s Town, or indulge in sweet treats at the traditional sweet shop in the 1900s Town.
- As part of the museum's commitment to showcase various aspects of British culture, visitors can explore the 1940s Farm, where they can learn about wartime life in the countryside and even partake in a meal at the vintage Tea Room or The Sun Inn.
- To fully immerse yourself in the museum's lifestyle of different eras, consider purchasing the Beamish Unlimited Pass or the National Art Pass, allowing for multiple visits and discounted entry, or plan your trip using public transportation like bus services or trains, making Beamish Museum a holiday destination that seamlessly blends history, culture, and home-and-garden settings.
