Do you want to start an adventure of museums in Newcastle? Newcastle upon Tyne is a city in the North East of England, brimming with historical and cultural treasures. Visiting a museum is a great way to while away several hours in Newcastle. Whether you like to explore local history or spend an afternoon admiring modern art, you will find a museum in Newcastle that suits you. Now, join us to explore the best museums in Newcastle!
What is the most popular museum in Newcastle?
Among the dozens of Newcastle upon Tyne museums, the Great North Museum: Hancock is generally considered the most popular. It attracts almost half a million visitors every year. The museum stands out as a top choice for both local people and tourists who want to explore the historical and cultural scene of Newcastle because of its diverse collections covering natural history, archaeology, and geology, as well as great interactive experiences and educational programs.
Top 12 Museums in Newcastle
For those with an interest in history, art, and science, Newcastle museums provide a fascinating glimpse into the past and present. From its large attractions to those small, unique galleries, Newcastle offers every visitor a chance to explore a rich tapestry of heritage. But where should you start? Here, we have a list of the top 12 museums in Newcastle for your reference.
Great North Museum: Hancock
Location: Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PT
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 10 am – 5 pm, Sat 10 am – 4 pm, Sun 11 am – 4 pm
The Great North Museum (formerly known as The Hancock Museum) is a premier Newcastle museum where you can learn all about the city’s natural history, archaeology, geology, and world cultures across a huge range of stunning galleries and exhibitions. This museum, originally located at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, was established in 1956. It was closed in April 2008 to prepare for the move, and the newly renovated Hancock Museum opened its doors in May 2009. Its collections have grown to over 800 objects, including 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. If you were looking for a dinosaur museum, look no further: a full-size T-Rex replica skeleton is a very popular local resident and a 4.6 metres long ichthyosaur.
Discovery Museum
Location: Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JA
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 10 am – 4 pm, Sat & Sun 11 am – 4 pm
The Discovery Museum, one of the best museums in Newcastle upon Tyne, has been an iconic building at the heart of the city centre since 1889. Newcastle and Tyneside were giants of ship-building, an awe-inspiring industry that’s brought to life at the Discovery Museum, along with exhibits of Newcastle’s maritime history and technological developments. One of the museum’s highlights is the Turbinia, a 32-meter-long ship and the first to be powered by a steam turbine. Destination Tyneside is the UK’s only permanent gallery dedicated to the story of Northern Cavalry regiments who made Tyneside their home. The museum has dedicated children’s areas, such as the Science Maze and PLAY + INVENT space. Exhibitions change seasonally, and there are plenty of talks and interactive events to look out for.
Life Science Centre
Location: Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP
Price: Adult (Aged 18 and over) £14.25, Concession (Over 65s, Students, Unemployed) £13.25, Child (Aged 3-17) £10.50, Child (Aged 2 and under) Free
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat 10 am – 6 pm, Sun 11 am – 6 pm
Life Science Centre is not free, but it is definitely among the top Newcastle museums. It was opened in Newcastle in 2000 and inaugurated by the Queen. It is a hub where scientists, clinicians, educators, and business people collaborate to further the understanding and application of life sciences. Life Science Centre in Newcastle offers activities and exhibitions for people of all ages to explore. The best part is the 4D Motion Ride, with juddering seats and an audio-visual experience that regularly changes. The planetarium is another win, sending you on absorbing journeys through the solar system and outer space. In the Experiment Zone, visitors can participate in laboratory-style experiments, including DNA extraction. The Brain Zone provides insights into the workings of the human brain.
Newcastle Castle
Location: Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1RQ
Price: Adult £12.50, Child (5-15 years old) £8.20, Concession (senior, disabled, student, unwaged) £11.25, Infant (4 and under) Free
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 10 am – 5 pm
Strictly speaking, Newcastle Castle is not a traditional museum but a historic site, but it is definitely a pity not to visit Newcastle Castle when you come to Newcastle. The Castle, where the story of Newcastle began, is the reason the city got its name and has the most commanding views over the city and the River Tyne. Heralded as the “gateway to old Newcastle“, Newcastle Castle is a rugged reminder of northern England’s turbulent history and the place where armies gathered and criminals were imprisoned and executed. The Castle is a real maze of stairways, corridors, halls, and passageways. Its main parts include the Castle Keep, a stone tower, and the Black Gate, a fortified gatehouse, dating back to Roman times.
Seven Stories
Location: 30 Lime St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 10 am – 5 pm
The stunning old Victorian mill building has been completely renovated and restored to bring culture lovers an incredible seven floors (hence the name Seven Stories) to explore. Seven Stories is the National Centre for Children’s Books located in Ouseburn – the creative quarter of Newcastle. It is home to an extensive permanent collection of manuscripts and illustrations. Many of the best-loved children’s books – including classics such as Alice in Wonderland and Mog the Forgetful Cat – have been written by British authors and created by British illustrators, so “from first scribbles to the final books” you can explore a host of exciting and innovative exhibitions, events and activities at this incredible museum in Newcastle.
Laing Art Gallery
Location: New Bridge Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AG
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat 10 am – 4.30 pm
Laing Gallery is one of the best Newcastle art museums. It was founded in 1904, with the funds to construct its Baroque building provided by Alexander Laing – a local wine, spirit, and beer merchant. On the ground floor of the Laing is the Northern Spirit gallery, which displays outstanding artwork and objects produced locally by people including Thomas Bewick, Ralph Hedley and John Martin. You can also see Newcastle silver, glass and ceramics on show. A beautiful Marble Hall is occupied by artworks by Henry Moore and Turner Prize nominee Paul Noble. Upstairs is the 18th and 19th-century display, including internationally important paintings by John Martin, Paul Gauguin and Burne-Jones.
The Biscuit Factory
Location: 16 Stoddart St, Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1AN
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 10 am – 5 pm
There are no cookies here, but you will find a gallery of contemporary art, craft and design. The Biscuit Factory, one of Newcastle free museums, is an independent art gallery in Newcastle, founded in 2002 and located in the cultural quarter of Newcastle, Ouseburn. A former Victorian biscuit manufacturing warehouse, The Biscuit Factory underwent a refurbishment, ensuring that many of the original and characterful facets of the building were preserved. The gallery’s huge scale means that it can display the work of over 250 artists at any time. We exhibit and sell original paintings, handmade prints, glass, ceramics, textiles, photography, furniture, design-led homewares and jewellery. The gallery also features an independent in-house cafe, The Factory Kitchen, with its own rooftop terrace.
Segedunum Roman Fort
Location: Buddle Street, Wallsend Tyne & Wear, NE28 6HR
Price: Adult £6.95, Concession £4.95, Young people aged 21 years and under: Free
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 10 am – 5 pm
Victoria Tunnel
Location: Ouse St, Byker, Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PF
Price: £13 for a 1¼-hour tour and £15 for a 2-hour tour for adults, £6 for children aged 7–15
Opening Hours: Mon – Tues 10.30 am – 4 pm, Wed 9 am – 7.30 pm, Thurs – Sun 10.30 am – 5 pm
The Victoria Tunnel is a fully preserved 19th-century waggonway under the city from the Town Moor to the Tyne to transport coal from Spital Tongues (Leazes Main) Colliery to the river and operated between 1842 and the 1860s. The Tunnel was converted into an air raid shelter to protect Newcastle citizens during World War Two. The Tunnel was carefully repaired and opened for guided tours in 2010. You can experience life in a Victorian waggonway, learn how it was constructed, understand how tough life was during World War Two and listen out for the wagons full of coal heading for the Tyne. Victoria Tunnel has level access throughout, but 50 yards into the Tunnel are a series of World War Two blast walls – it is impossible to take wheelchairs, prams or buggies beyond this point.
Beamish: The Living Museum of the North
Location: Regional Resource Centre, Beamish, County Durham, DH9 0RG
Price: Adult £27.95, Senior (60+)/Student £21.25, Child (5 – 16) £17.25, Child under 5 free
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 10 am – 5 pm
Beamish was the vision of Dr Frank Atkinson, the Museum’s founder and first director. After realising the dramatically changing region was losing its industrial heritage, Frank wanted the new museum to “illustrate vividly” the way of life of “ordinary people” and bring the region’s history alive. Beamish remains true to his principles today and brings history to life for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Beamish is a world-famous open-air museum which brings the history of North East England to life at its 1820s Pockerley, 1900s Town, 1900s Pit Village, 1940s Farm, 1950s Town and 1950s Spain’s Field Farm exhibit areas. Costumed staff and volunteers bring to life these amazing stories using the museum’s internationally-recognised collection of objects.
Stephenson Steam Railway
Location: Middle Engine Lane, North Shields, NE29 8DX
Price: Adult £10, Concessions (60+ years & under 21s) £8, Child aged 4 and under FREE (You don’t need a ticket when there are no train rides. )
Opening Hours: Non-train days: 11 am – 4 pm. Train running days: 30 minutes before the first train departure time. (The museum is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, plus Thursdays during school holidays. Heritage train rides are available on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays and Thursdays during the school holidays.)
Stephenson Steam Railway re-lives the glorious days of the steam railway in North Shields. In the station yard at Middle Engine Lane, you can see a large variety of wagons and rail vehicles that were once a common sight on the railways of Tyneside. Inside the museum, explore a range of steam, diesel and electric locomotives that each have a fascinating story to tell. Visit the cab of Clio or try your hand at driving a steam engine on the simulator. Learn about George and Robert Stephenson and their influence on the development of the steam locomotive through animations and artefacts from the time. On scheduled days, you can take a ride on a 1950s passenger train pulled by steam or heritage diesel locomotives.
North East Land, Sea & Air Museums
Location: Old Washington Road, Sunderland ,Tyne and Wear, SR5 3HZ
Price: Adults £6.50, Children (5-15) £3.50, Concessions (60+) £3.50, Under 5s & carers £0.50
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun 10 am – 4 pm
The North East Land Sea & Air Museum – NELSAM – previously known as the North East Aircraft Museum, is a volunteer-operated aviation museum. Dates back to 1975, NELSAM is located on the grounds of the former RAF Usworth/Sunderland Airport, nestled between Washington and Sunderland, in Tyne and Wear. It contains exhibits that are both locally and nationally significant, from whole airframes to important records, from military to civilian. NELSAM boasts over 30 aircraft and a comprehensive collection of aero engines, providing a deep insight into the evolution and development of aviation technology. 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.
Accommodation near Museums in Newcastle
In addition to its rich cultural heritage, Newcastle also has a very comfortable and livable accommodation environment and offers a variety of options to suit different preferences and budgets. Finding the right accommodation can make your adventure of Newcastle upon Tyne museums even more enjoyable. We have some recommendations for accommodation near museums in Newcastle.
Hotels
- Malmaison Newcastle
- Hotel du Vin
Bed & Breakfasts
- Rosebery Hotel
- Jesmond Dene House
Serviced Apartments
- PREMIER SUITES Newcastle
- Sleeperz Hotel
Student Accommodation
When searching for student accommodation in Newcastle, uhomes.com is a highly recommended professional platform. We offer a wide range of options near university campuses in Newcastle, ensuring students can find housing that suits different preferences and needs. All room types of student houses in Newcastle are available, including studios, en-suite and non en-suite rooms, and shared apartments. Recommended convenient and affordable student accommodation options include The Glassworks, Garth Heads, Market House, and more. You can visit uhomes.com for more information about student accommodation in a list of countries and cities.
Other Free Museums in Newcastle
In addition to the ones mentioned above, there are also some other interesting free museums in Newcastle upon Tyne which are well worth a visit.
Hatton Gallery
Location: Kings Road, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat 10 am – 5 pm
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
Location: Gateshead Quays, South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3BA
Opening Hours: Wed – Sun 10 am – 6 pm
With a history that stretches back much further than its 2002 opening, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art is the biggest gallery of its kind in the world. Housed in a historic, renovated flour mill on the Gateshead bank of the River Tyne, Baltic present a dynamic, diverse and international programme of contemporary visual art. It aims to support and promote the creation of original work in contemporary visual arts in the UK. Baltic has an ever-changing calendar of exhibitions and activities designed to give a unique and compelling insight into contemporary artistic practice. Visitors can experience innovative and provocative new art, relax, have fun, learn and discover fresh ideas before relaxing with a coffee in their onsite cafe, which overlooks the magnificent Quayside.
Bessie Surtees House
Location: 41 – 44 Sandhill, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3JF
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 10 am – 4 pm
With an incredibly rich history, these two five-storey houses are not only fine examples of 16th and 17th-century Jacobean architecture but also a great historical site right on Newcastle Quayside. The two buildings originally numbered 41 and 44 Sandhill, were known respectively as Surtees House and Milbank House. It was here that Bessie climbed down from a first-floor window and eloped to Scotland with John Scott. The rooms on the first floor are now open to visitors, while the rest of the building is used as offices. The house contains an exhibition illustrating the full history of the house, alongside rare and unusual examples of Jacobean domestic architecture and splendid period interiors such as fine carved oak panelling, elaborate plaster ceilings, and carved fire surrounds.
Shipley Art Gallery
Location: Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, NE8 4JB
Opening Hours: Tues – Fri 10 am – 4 pm, Sat 10 am – 5 pm
The Shipley Art Gallery opened in 1917 with a collection of 504 paintings bequeathed by local solicitor Joseph Shipley. Since then, the collection has grown to include nearly 800 paintings and collections of works on paper, decorative art and contemporary craft. Over the last 25 years, the venue has become a national centre for contemporary craft and has built one of the best collections outside London, including ceramics, wood, metal, glass, textiles and furniture. The Shipley is also home to the collection of studio ceramics of Henry Rothschild, an important figure for craftspeople. There are five gallery spaces showing a range of temporary exhibitions throughout the year. There are also regular events, including artist and curator talks, family activities, concerts and vintage and craft fairs.
Conclusion of Museums in Newcastle
The museums in Newcastle can offer diverse experiences for every visitor. This area between Yorkshire and Scotland has always had a flair for creativity and industrial prowess. Old factories are now galleries, while its ship-building past has been brought to life at the Discovery Museum. Dotted around this beautiful city, with sweeping streets of listed buildings and a buzzing quayside, a clutch of museums and cultural attractions showcase world-class art, exciting history, and mind-bending science. Don’t wait to plan your visit to the best museums in Newcastle.
FAQs about Museums in Newcastle
How many museums are there in Newcastle?
According to data, there are at least 30 museums in Newcastle. The exhibits in these museums cover a wide range, from technological achievements to art, from history to modernity, presenting the rich heritage of Newcastle.
Is the Discovery Museum in Newcastle free?
Yes, the Discovery Museum in Newcastle is free to visit. It’s a great place to explore and learn science, technology, engineering, and local history without any entrance fees. No booking is required, and donations are welcomed.
Can I find dinosaur exhibitions in museums in Newcastle?
Yes, you can find dinosaur exhibitions in museums in Newcastle. Both the Life Science Centre and the Great North Museum: Hancock have exhibitions about dinosaurs. You can visit their official websites for more details.
