Museums in Newcastle upon Tyne

Museums in Newcastle upon Tyne

Discovery Museum

The Discovery Museum is located in Blandford Square in Newcastle upon Tyne, taking its place among the largest free museums in the region of North East England – it’s a great museum dedicated to science and history which was awarded with the North East’s Best Experience award in 2006.

The museum was established in 1934 as the Municipal Museum of Science and Industry, displaying all of its collections in a pavilion which was built for an exhibition in 1929 called the North East Coast Exhibition.

Through the years the collection of items has increased in number and because of this it became necessary for the museum to find a bigger place to expand; the museum was relocated to Blandford House in 1978, and in 1993 was re-named as the Discovery Museum.

The museum houses many historical items such as the 34 metre long Turbinia ship, built by Charles Algernon Parsons, as well as some examples of Joseph Swan’s light bulbs.

The Discovery Museum has recently been renovated, showing a floor of brand new galleries and displays.

Opening Times:
Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday 2.00pm – 5.00pm

Address:
Discovery Museum
Blandford Square
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4JA

Tel: 0191 232 6789

Great North Museum: Hancock

The Hancock Museum in Newcastle upon Tyne, http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/greatnorthmuseum/ is owned by the Natural History Society of Northumbria http://www.nhsn.ncl.ac.uk/ , and managed by Tyne and Wear Museums, http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/.

The museum first opened its doors in 1884 and was named after Albany and John Hancock, the local Victorian naturalists.

Some of the museum’s most interesting displays include the full size reproduction of a T-Rex skeleton, a real size cast of an African elephant and the Egyptian mummy Bakt-hor-Nekt. These are all situated in the Fossil Stories Gallery and are just a small part of the historical items within it.

The Hancock Museum has undergone some major restoration and reconstruction, and now holds displays on Ancient Egypt and Greece, Romans and Hadrian’s Wall, World Cultures and Pre-history, Geology and Natural History. A study garden, an exhibition space, a digital Planetarium and some additional learning facilities are also be the part of the new aspect of the museum.

Opening Times:
Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday 2.00pm – 5.00pm

Address:
Hancock Museum
Great North Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4PT

Tel: 0191 222 7418

Trinity Maritime Museum

The Trinity Maritime Museum was established in 1492 as an organization whose purpose was to ensure the safe navigation and prosperity of English sailors. It provides an educational and learning programme for Sea-Cadets, Sea-Scouts and many other youth systems of training.

External Links:
Discovery Museum Newcastle
Great North Museum – Hancock, Newcastle
Trinity House Newcastle