Top 15 Newcastle Museums

What is it?
A massive free science and local history museum with three floors of exhibits.

Why should you go?
Located in the former Co-operative Wholesale Society building in the centre of Newcastle, Discovery Museum is at the top of our list of the local museums — besides, it’s free. The first science museum outside of London, it dates back to 1934.

Currently, the collection includes a wide range of artefacts — from a real 34-metre steam-powered ship Turbinia, to a gallery focused on the 300-year history of Northern Cavalry regiments, as well as other objects showcasing Tyneside's industrial, maritime and military past. The museum has dedicated children’s areas, such as the Science Maze and PLAY + INVENT space.

Specialization
Science and local history

Is good for
The whole family

What is it?
Contemporary art museum based in a converted former mill on Gateshead quayside.

Why should you go?
The Baltic is a hip urban space located on the south side of the river Tyne. The old flour mill that was in operation from the 1950s to the 1984s has been redeveloped into an award-winning structure tucked between the two original facades. The centre opened in 2002 and has contributed significantly to urban revitalisation of the riverside area. Always free to visit, the Baltic has 2,600 square metres of exhibition space dedicated to contemporary art.

Perhaps the coolest thing about it is that there’s no permanent exhibition: every time you come, you’ll find something new and exciting. Also, the glass lifts, viewing terraces, and rooftop restaurant offer some breathtaking views of the river!

Specialization
Contemporary art and great views

Is good for
Art lovers and enthusiasts of urban regeneration

What is it?
A free museum dedicated to children’s literature and illustration and based in a former mill.

Why should you go?
Seven Stories is yet another Newcastle museum that played a vital role in the process of regeneration of the local area, Ouseburn Valley. Opened in a renovated Victorian waterside mill in 2005, it has received several awards, and is home to an extensive permanent collection of manuscripts and illustrations. Rotating exhibitions, as well as various events, talks, and workshops take place regularly.

Among the highlights of the collection are the largest public collection of original typescripts by Enid Blyton, and Judith Kerr archive, including items from her kitchen that inspired the classic The Tiger Who Came To Tea.

Specialization
Children’s literature and illustration

Is good for
Kids of all ages and aspiring writers

What is it?
Natural history, archaeology, geology and world cultures museum in Newcastle with free admission.

Why should you go?
Located on the campus of Newcastle University, the Hancock Museum dates back to 1884. It started from a collection of ethnographic and natural history material from around the world, and currently is one of the most popular family destinations in town. Its collection includes artefacts from Ancient Egypt (two mummies, in particular), a section on Hadrian’s Wall and Roman Britain, and a whole lot of stuffed animals and fossils. In case you were looking for a dinosaur museum, look no further: a full size T-Rex replica skeleton is a very popular local resident — as well as a 4.6 metres long ichthyosaur.

Specialization
Natural history museum

Is good for
Fossil fans

What is it?
Free art gallery displaying paintings, sculptures, installations, prints, and drawings from the 14th century onward.

Why should you go?
Founded in 1925, the Hatton Gallery is located in Newcastle University's Fine Art Building, and is home to over 3,000 works. Artists whose paintings, drawings, and other works are featured here include Francis Bacon, Prunella Clough, Thomas Bewick, and Kurt Schwitters - whose installation Merz Barn Wall is the most iconic object on display.

Talks, temporary exhibitions, and art shows are also frequently held here. Small and atmospheric, the gallery is well-organised, carefully curated, and not intimidating at all. Student Fine Art degree shows take place in June and in August, and are a great opportunity to explore the voices, practices and media of emerging artists.

Specialization
Art gallery

Is good for
Art lovers on a budget

What is it?
Science village dedicated to promoting life sciences, and medicine and genetics research centre.

Why should you go?
The Centre for Life museum — or, more precisely, a science hub and visitor attraction — was opened by the Queen in 2000. Since then, it has hosted a diverse range of exhibitions, talks, workshops, educational presentations and shows - not to mention actual research in the field of regenerative medicine and genetics that has been taking place here. In fact, local scientists successfully cloned a human embryo back in 2005.

An interactive Wow Zone, an impressive planetarium, a chance to try your hand at some very practical lab experiments, immersive live science shows, and many more fun things to do pretty much guarantee an exciting day with the family.

Specialization
Science centre

Is good for
Natural science nerds

What is it?
Art gallery with paintings, watercolours and decorative objects.

Why should you go?
Laing Gallery was founded in 1904, with the funds to construct its Baroque building provided by Alexander Laing — a local wine, spirit, and beer merchant. The museum hosts what is now a Designated Collection, recognised as nationally important by Arts Council England, and includes British and international oil paintings and watercolours. Ceramics, silver and glassware from the North East, and Japanese arts and prints, are also featured.

Among our favourites are the wonderful prints by the eighteenth century wood-engraver Thomas Bewick, and masterpieces by J. M. W. Turner, the renowned English Romantic artist. Check out the watercolours of Newcastle: the local focus is definitely noticeable throughout the whole exhibition.

Specialization
Art gallery

Is good for
Fans of watercolours

What is it?
Independent contemporary art gallery based in a former biscuit-manufacturing factory.

Why should you go?
Spread over two floors of a 1870 biscuit-manufacturing warehouse that has been carefully renovated, this spacious commercial art and craft gallery exhibits and sells a variety of works: paintings, prints, glass, ceramics, textiles, photography, furniture, homeware and jewellery.

Over 250 artists have their work on display here at any given time. This is the place where you can visit an embroidery workshop, purchase a nice painting by a contemporary artist for a reasonable price - or maybe just a few pots and jugs to brighten up your kitchen. The local cafe, The Factory Kitchen, boasts its own rooftop terrace with marvellous views.

Specialization
Contemporary (commercial) art

Is good for
Bohemian types

What is it?
Railway museum with a collection of historic locomotives, plus heritage train rides.

Why should you go?
Looking forward to getting out of town for a short while? The North Tyneside Steam Railway and Stephenson Steam Railway are just under 15 min by car, or half an hour by bus from central Newcastle.

Dedicated to the railway pioneers George Stephenson and his son Robert, this museum features a range of steam, diesel and electric locomotives, as well as all kinds of wagons that once played a key role in the region’s coal industry. The most famous exhibit is 'Billy', a Newcastle-built locomotive that dates back to 1816 and was used for hauling coal. After exploring the museum, take a ride in a 1950s carriage drawn by a vintage locomotive, following the route of the coal trains from the collieries to the River Tyne.

Specialization
Railway museum

Is good for
Vintage train enthusiasts

What is it?
Photography gallery with a focus on documentary photography and free admission.

Why should you go?
Sitting close to the Tyne Bridge on Newcastle’s Quayside, this inspiring gallery dates back to 1977. A year later, it was here that the famed photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson celebrated his 70th birthday. The venue is run by Amber Film & Photography Collective whose commitment historically has been to capture working-class life in North East England. Side Gallery is passionate about portraying people’s lives and landscapes with a special focus on marginalised stories from all over the world.

There’s also a library hosting a collection of film and photography books and magazines, and a little shop where you can buy books, posters, and postcards.

Specialization
Photography

Is good for
Fans of documentary photography and explorers of social issues

What is it?
An aviation museum located on the site of the former RAF Usworth/Sunderland Airport.

Why should you go?
The NELSAM dates back to 1975, when members of a local vintage aircraft association bought a Westland WS-51 Dragonfly helicopter from a scrapyard. In 1987, the museum was opened to the public at the former RAF base, about one hour from Newcastle by bus.

The museum has acquired and proudly displays numerous exhibits of local and national significance. Among these are a Cold War Avro Vulcan B2 Bomber, which flew into the former airport in 1983. In addition to aircraft, you can find engines, military vehicles, and vintage civilian trams and buses. As well, you can walk through a replica WWII street with shop fronts and displays recreated with artefacts including uniforms, equipment and searchlights that were used to pinpoint enemy bombers.

Specialization
Aircraft and history museum

Is good for
Aviation geeks and WWII/Cold War military history enthusiasts

What is it?
A Roman fort at the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall in Wallsend, plus an interactive museum and a viewing tower.

Why should you go?
The Roman fort at Segedunum, which translates as ‘Strong Fort’, is the most completely excavated fort along Hadrian's Wall. Constructed to guard the eastern end of the Wall against barbarian attacks from the North, it housed 600 Roman soldiers, and was in operation for almost 300 years.

Today, the complex features a restored section of the Wall, a large interactive museum, a reconstructed bathhouse, and a 35 m high observation tower. Beyond the Roman ruins, the area also has a coal-mining and shipbuilding heritage. Accessible from Newcastle via Metro in just over 20 minutes, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is truly a national treasure.

Specialization
Roman ruins and history museums

Is good for
A whole day out with the family (kids under the age of 16 go free!)

What is it?
An art gallery in Gateshead, housing British and European art, as well as contemporary craftwork

Why should you go?
Just under 20 minutes from Newcastle’s downtown by bus - and you’ll find yourself in Gateshead, home to North East's leading craft and design museum.

Founded in 1917, it has five galleries housing art collections designated as being of national importance. These include a permanent collection with 16th and 17th century Dutch and Flemish paintings, as well as 19th century British works, most prominently featuring William Irving's 1903 The Blaydon Races. Besides, it is home to the Henry Rothschild collection of 20th-century studio ceramics. Temporary exhibitions take place throughout the year, as well as artist and curator talks, family events, concerts and fairs.

Specialization
Arts and crafts gallery

Is good for
People looking for gems beyond the traditional touristy galleries

What is it?
A pretty red-and-white 19th-century lighthouse on the coastline midway between the Tyne and the Wear.

Why should you go?
Souter Lighthouse, located by the seaside in the village of Whitburn, was the first one in the world designed and built in 1871 specifically to be lit by electricity - making it the most technologically advanced lighthouse of its time. Today, the engine room, light tower and keeper's living quarters are open to visitors. The lamps, lenses and foghorn are still activated on special occasions. From the top, you can see its sister St Mary's Lighthouse.

Souter lighthouse can be accessed from Newcastle in just over one hour by public transport. So, in case you’ve seen enough science or history museums, this historic structure overlooking clifftop grasslands, a coastal park, and rocky seafront is within easy reach.

Specialization
Lighthouse and rugged seaside

Is good for
A day trip

What is it?
Medieval remains of the castle which gave Newcastle upon Tyne its name, with magnificent views.

Why should you go?
Standing on the site where a fortress used to be located since Roman times, the remaining historic structure dates back to the 12th century and includes the Castle Keep (tower) and Black Gate (gatehouse), crossed by a 19th-century railway viaduct.

Centuries-old yet still very much imposing, the Castle is a real maze of stairways, corridors, halls, and passageways where you can face the grim history of a place where armies gathered and prisoners were held and executed. Imagine yourself having drinks in the Great Hall, shudder upon seeing the original rings where prisoners were chained in the Gaol, and, of course, climb to the roof to admire the views!

Specialization
Landmarks and historic sites

Is good for
Any first-time visitor to Newcastle