Hello everyone. As I have been here for a little while now I though it was time to update my profil...
Hello everyone. As I have been here for a little while now I though it was time to update my profile a bit. The trouble is that everyone seems to be able to sound very interesting, except for me.
Member since:19.05.2001
Reviews:36
Members who trust:13
Beamish is certainly the place where the past comes to life. This open air museum recreates life in the North of England in the early 1800s and 1900s in an entertaining way for visitors of all ages. Museum staff are dressed in period costumes and all act out the parts they are playing and are very friendly and entertaining and this certainly appeals to the younger members of the family, as they are encouraged to ask questions and take part as much as possible.
The museum is set in acres of beautiful countryside and the whole area is superbly maintained and you will find it hard to fault. It is not hard to see why they were winners of the British Museum of the Year and the European Museum of the Year Awards.
I will now try to describe some areas of the museum for you, but in no way is this a comprehensive list.
THE MANOR HOUSE
Pockerley Manor house has been inhabited for over 1000 years and the house itself and the grounds are all shown as they would be in the 1820s.
THE TOWN
This shows a typical street of the early 1900s and here you will find houses and shops of that era, including
sweet shops (samples are given out), the bank, the Pub, solicitors and the printing works. My favourite was the dentist’s surgery and my son was allowed to have his photograph taken in the gruesome looking chair with the dentist holding up a selection of implements that would have been used at the time (not for the faint hearted).
THE COLLIERY VILLAGE
This is where you can sample a piece of ‘pit’ life, by visiting the drift mine, engine works, Methodist chapel and the pit cottages and gardens. The village school even allows you to take part in a lesson, using chalk and a board, and there is a very authenic schoolmaster there who is frighteningly realistic - my son knows all about this.
HOME FARM
Unfortunately, during our visit, this area was out of bounds due to the foot and mouth outbreak but staff are hoping that it will be able to open again soon. Update as at 01/08/2001 - we went to Beamish again last weekend and it now looks as if the farm is going to be closed now for the foreseeable future, until the foot and mouth epidemic is over.
THE RAILWAY STATION
Here you will find the signal box, goods shed and the station building. There is even a waiting room that is for ladies only.
THE RAILWAY
Take a ride on the 1825 railway, which I have to say is a very unique experience. You travel in 1825 railway carriages and are pulled along by a replica of the ‘Locomotion’. you may find that you will ahve to queue to go on this attraction but it is well worth it.
TRAMS AND BUSES
The tramway runs around the entire area of the museum (well over a mile) and the tram stops can be found at most of the main areas of the museum. It is an excellent way to get from one area to another but take time to travel the whole distance. There are also horse drawn buses that visitors can ride. The museum is open throughout the year and is split in to a summer season and a winter season.
OPENING TIMES
SUMMER SEASON – operates from early April until late October, with opening times from 10am until 5pm. During this time all areas and facilities are open. AMISSION CHARGES DURING SUMMER are: Adults £12.00 Children £6.00 (5-16 years) O.A.P.s £9.00 Children under 5 are admitted free. Group discounts are also available, so check their website or telephone for more details.
WINTER SEASON – the museum is centred on the Town and tramway only with all other areas being shut. The museum is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. It remains closed from 10th December until after the New Year. Winter season admission charges are consequently reduced. ADMISSION CHARGES DURING WINTER are: All tickets are £4.00 with children under 5 years still being admitted free.
Once paid all your bus and tram rides are free and there are no more hidden charges, except for the Victorian Fairground.
THE BEAMISH CLUB
If you live locally you can join the Beamish club, which is a membership scheme which is open exclusively for people of the North East of England. For an annual subscription charge of £15.00 (£12.00 if over 60), you can visit Beamish as often as you like for free. Also on each trip there you can bring up to 2 guests at half price. The criteria is that you live either in Durham, Cleveland, Northumberland, Tees Valley or Tyne and Wear. You need to complete an application form, which you can get in advance by telephoning them or writing to them, or you can complete one on the day of your visit.
REFRESHMENTS AND FACILITIES AVAILABLE
There are several places to eat and drink, including a working period pub in the Town, and cafes situated throughout the museum. There are also souvenir shops, picnic areas, baby changing facilities, toilets in most areas (all include disabled access) and free car parking (disabled parking included).
Dogs are permitted at the museum but must be kept on a lead at all times.
HOW TO GET THERE
Beamish is situated in County Durham, 12 miles from the city of Durham and 8 miles from Newcastle. The museum is well signposted all along the main roads and there is good public transport from all the major towns and cities in the area. More detailed instructions and maps can be found on the website.
In my opinion this is a wonderful day out, even if you are not very interested in history. My only piece of advise is that you should make sure that you get there early as the time seems to fly by and you certainly need the whole day to get around the entire museum.
Thank you for reading and hope you have an enjoyable day out.
CONTACT DETAILS
BEAMISH The North of England Open Air Museum Beamish County Durham DH9 0RG
Tel: 0191 370 4000 Fax: 0191 370 4001
email: museum@beamish.org.uk
website; www.beamish.co.uk
Update as at 01/08/2001 - on our lastest visit last weekend, it seems that the museum is constructing another area. I have no details of this but will update if I find out any more information.
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I used to go to school in Chester-le-Street and we went on loads of trips to Beamish over the years, nice to read about it. Great review!
MagicWend 16.08.2001 00:09
gr8 op. I live abot 5 miles from here and i think you've covered everything in gr8 detail. I've been many times. we used to sneak in without paying whilst young. the things you do. I love the mine, and it's good in the tearooms too. rather expensive for a family though.
tange 14.08.2001 17:55
Thanks for all the info...visited Beamish years ago and sounds like there's loads more to see now, so I think wee may be planning a visit soon.
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Advantages: First person interpretation, an entire day out, suitable for all ages Disadvantages: Expensive, tends to take a "golden old days" view of the past
Collingwood21 20.11.2002 (20.11.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Beamish Open Air Museum
Advantages: First person interpretation, an entire day out, suitable for all ages Disadvantages: Expensive, tends to take a "golden old days" view of the past
Collingwood21 20.11.2002 (20.11.2002)
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Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Beamish Open Air Museum
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