In Inspire, Attractions, Culture County, History

Recently named the North East’s most visited attraction, summer is the perfect time to visit Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, with new exhibitions to explore, fabulous festivals and exciting events to enjoy.

Check out our guide to five things you don’t want to miss this summer at Beamish. 

man sat watching a movie inside the new 1950s cinema at Beamish Museum

Fabulous Fifties Fun 

The final additions to the 1950s Town are now complete! The doors to the Grand Cinema, toy shop, electrical shop and record store are now open. 

The new 1950s Town exhibits include a recreation of The Grand Cinema from nearby Ryhope, in Sunderland, with re-usable parts and features incorporated into the cinema at Beamish. Here you can enjoy a trip to the cinema 1950s style and watch Pathé News, adverts and films. 

Along the street from the cinema, you’ll find an amazing collection of shops to browse.  See toys from Beamish’s collection and a dolls’ hospital, as well as purchase 1950s-style toys and games at the toy shop, named after Romer Parrish, whose shop in Middlesbrough was very popular in the 1950s. 

woman smiling at camera holding a vintage baby doll inside the 1950s toy shop at Beamish Museum.

A Reece Ltd Radio and Electrical Services electrical and record shop is named after North East engineer Alan Reece, founder of the Reece Foundation. Browse the latest 1950s appliances in the showroom. In the record shop you can discover popular hits from the day and hear tunes in the listening booths.

You can even purchase 1950s-style refreshments including flavoured milk and choc ices at the Milk Bar (next door to the Grand Cinema).

group of people dressed in Georgian costumes standing and taking outside the Drovers Tavern at Beamish Museum.

Dine like a Georgian 

Tucked away in the 1820s Landscape, near Pockerley Hall, you’ll find the Drovers Tavern, serving a Georgian-inspired menu, and pottery, where you can have a go at traditional pottery skills. 

The Drovers Tavern will bring to life the important story of the drovers who walked hundreds of miles moving livestock and carrying goods across the country, stopping off at taverns such as this to rest. Here you can treat yourself to delicious food and drink, inspired by popular Georgian food and drinks, including potted ham, rarebit, soup, stew and salmagundi (a Georgian salad).  

Two woman dressed in Georgian costumes creating pottery in the Georgian potter at Beamish Museum

At the pottery, see the traditional skill and have a go at making your own creation. The pottery tells the story of a small independent potter, who would produce wares to be used locally, including bowls, beakers and candlesticks. He would also be able to make small quantities of bricks and possibly pantiles for local buildings, as well as drainage tiles for farmers' field drains.

Family of three (woman and two children) smiling at camera next to a vintage red bus with bus driver sat behind driver's wheel.

Exciting Events 

Everyday you’ll find a whole range of exciting events to enjoy. No two days are the same this summer at Beamish! With everything from den building and baking demonstrations, to milking a wooden cow and enjoying 1950s fun and games.

  • Enjoy a game of the Shove It Up Your Jumper quiz in the 1950s welfare hall on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays!
  • On Wednesdays, in the Masonic Hall in The 1900s Town, you can design your own theatre/cinema playbill poster, before heading to the new cinema exhibit to experience a 1950s trip to the pictures.
  • There’ll be a chance to get a 1940s hairstyle at the Land Girls’ cottage at The 1940s Farm (small extra fee applies) on Thursdays.
  • It’s all fun and games at 1820s Pockerley Old Hall every Friday. 
  • On Suffragette Sundays, get involved in the campaign for women’s right to vote at 11am, 2pm and 3pm in The 1900s Town.

Skiffle music band stood with instruments inside in the 1950s Welfare Hall at Beamish Museum

Music to our ears

Time your visit right and you can enjoy amazing live performances of music from different ears. 

  • The 1900s Town bandstand will come alive with the glorious sound of brass bands every weekend (various times), including Pittington brass, Cleveland Concert Band, Hexham Brass, Spinoff Sax and many more! 
  • Tap your foot along and join in with singaround Sunday, with traditional music in Hetton band hall, in the 1900s Pit Village on Sunday 11 August, 11.30am – 2.30pm. 
  • Sing-along to 40s and 50s tunes in Orchard Cottage in the 1940s farm from 1.30 – 3.30pm, Thursday 15 and 29 August. 
  • On Sunday 25 August, you can enjoy an afternoon of skiffle music in the 1950s welfare hall, with Beamish’s very own band – Hop, Skiffle and Jump performing from 12pm, followed by the Uke Club from 1.15pm, where you can develop your ukulele skills. 

group of museum staff dressed in 1950s clothing holding ice creams outside of John's Café at Beamish Museum.

Get a real taste of the past 

Eat your way through history, with delicious food and drink to try in every area of the museum! Tuck into mouthwatering treats in the 1900s Town Tea Rooms. Enjoy a tipple or two in the Sun Inn Pub and treat yourself to Beamish’s famous sweets from the Jubilee Confectioners Sweet Shop. 

Many would argue that no visit to Beamish is complete without sampling Davy’s fish and chips, fried in beef dripping (the traditional way) in the 1900s Pit Village.

Or grab a booth at John’s Cafe in the 1950s Town, and try a scoop of Beamish’s scrumptious ice cream as you bop along to 50s tunes. 

Summer Fun at Beamish Museum is included in admission to Beamish Museum and is free to Beamish Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members – pay once and visit free for a year, including daytime events.

Stay a little longer

Did you know two Georgian-themed self-catering cottages will be opening at Beamish Museum this year (date TBC), allowing visitors to stay overnight in the museum for the first time ever!

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