Visit

Searchroom opening hours are Wednesday 1.15pm - 4pm, Thursday and Friday 10am – 12.45pm and 1.15pm – 4pm

Booking is essential.

• You’ll need to book a seat in the searchroom before you visit. 
• Please pre-order the documents you want to see at least seven days before the date of your visit. If you are unsure what you need, speak to a member of staff first or send us an email on archives@northeastmuseums.org.uk
• You can order a maximum of 10 documents per half day session or 20 documents for a full day. 
• If you want to use microfilm you will need to book a microfilm desk for your visit.

Staff will be on hand to help. 

Click here to book your Archives visit.

• You must book a ticket at least one week in advance of your visit.  
• You can tell us what documents you require when you book. The booking form includes space for you to tell us which documents you want to see.  
• If you aren’t sure which document you need or require advice, please search our online catalogue. You will need to identify the exact items you wish to see. If you can’t locate the items you are interested in please either email or phone us - see contact us.
• When you book a slot you will need to choose:  

      If you want to use microfilm you will need to book a microfilm desk for your visit.

•  Morning session (10am - 12.45pm)  
• Afternoon session (1.15pm - 4pm)

• You can book an all-day session by booking both morning and afternoon sessions. We will ask you to leave the searchroom between 12.45pm and 1.15pm to allow us to time to clean desks, equipment and touchpoints.
• Please book an individual ticket for each member of your group.

We will contact you if there are any issues with your booking.

• We are providing access to original archives, books from the search room reference library, finding aids and microfilms.
• We currently have no access to computer resources but hope to be resolving this soon. We do have wifi access in the searchroom. 

• Please order your documents at the same time as booking your searchroom visit. 
• If you aren’t sure which document you need please search our online catalogue. You will need to identify the exact items you wish to see. If you can’t locate the items you are interested in please contact us by email or phone for advice.
• The booking form allows you to order up to 10 documents per morning or afternoon session. You need to give us the document reference number and the title of each document.

• Please arrive at the start of your booked session.  If you aren’t able to do so please speak to the welcome desk at Discovery Museum and they will let archive staff know you have arrived. If you plan to arrive after the start of the session please give us your expected arrival time when you book.
• When you arrive you will be directed to the archives waiting area on the ground floor of Discovery Museum. A member of the team will collect you.
• In the searchroom there are lockers for your belongings. Please place bags, coats and personal belongings in the lockers. You can bring a small quantity of paperwork, notes, pencils, cameras and laptops to your desk. You cannot bring in any food or drink, pens or bags.  
• Please don’t bring your own hand sanitiser or any liquid into the searchroom.

• In the searchroom you will be allocated a desk. 
• The documents you have ordered will be waiting on your desk. If they don’t all fit at the same time then some will be kept to one side by staff. Please just ask staff when you are ready to see them.  
• If you need any book supports or document weights please ask search room staff.  
• If you want to plug a laptop into the mains please ask searchroom staff. Most of our desks have power points nearby.
• If you know in advance that you plan to use self-service photography then please purchase a camera pass in advance of your visit.
• When you have finished with your documents, please let staff know. 
• We won’t be able to get out any additional documents on the day.
• If you need to leave the searchroom to use facilities in the museum, please let a member of staff know and they will return you to the public area of the Discovery Museum.

Tyne & Wear Archives is able to host group visits for those who wish to explore the treasure trove of historical documents stored here.

We can deliver a workshop-based session which includes an hands-on experience with a wide range of original material. We can theme the workshop depending on the group interest. Popular choices include family history and local history such as shipbuilding and mining.

We also offer brief tours of the search room and an overview of the finding aids for personal research.

Visits must be booked in advance and are usually charged for. Please email archives@northeastmuseums.org.uk or telephone (0191) 277 2248 to book.

By Metro

Discovery Museum is an eight minute walk from Central Station on the Metro. The next nearest Metro station is St James, a 10 minute walk.

You can make your visit an even greater value day out by travelling to Discovery Museum by Metro. Up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free on the Metro and the Shields Ferry when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. 

You can save on adult fares too by using Pop Pay As You Go. Save up to £1 on single tickets and up to £1.60 on day tickets. 

Those who are 21 and under can get around for just £1 on single fare bus, Metro and Shields Ferry journeys, and for £3 all day. Plan your journey in advance and track your Metro in real time with the Pop app. Search 'Pop Nexus' in the Play Store or the App Store. 

Tyne & Wear Metro are our official travel partner.

By bus

Discovery Museum is an eight minute walk from Central Station. Many buses stop nearby on Neville Street and Westmorland Road. The museum is well signposted.

Please contact the Nexus traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or visit the Traveline website for more information about public transport.

During the school holidays, kids go free! Up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free on the bus when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Learn more on the North East Combined Authority website.

Discount: Enjoy 10% off in the museum cafe with a valid bus ticket. On selected lines. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers. Offer valid from 19 July 2025. Learn more on the Good Journey website.

By rail 

Mainline rail connections to Newcastle upon Tyne arrive at Central Station. 

Lumo is our national train partner and are supporting the Steam to Green exhibition at Discovery Museum.

Lumo is committed to providing sustainable train journeys - its trains are electric powered and 25 times cleaner than flying. 

Buy train tickets from London, Edinburgh or Stevenage to Newcastle from Lumo. 

More information about Northern Rail train services to Newcastle Central Station.

Buy train tickets with National Rail. Buy train tickets with Trainline.

By bicycle

There are four bike racks available to the left of the museum entrance. 

By car 

From the South

Head over Redheugh Bridge (A189) following signs for city centre west and continue onto St. James' Boulevard. Discovery Museum is signposted from here.

From the North

Heading into the city centre from the north, follow signs for the football stadium, St. James' Park. On reaching the football stadium continue on the A189 south (St. James' Boulevard) and turn right onto Westgate Road followed by an immediate left into Blandford Square.

From the West

Coming along Scotswood Road (A695) into the west of the city, turn left onto St. James' Boulevard (A189) and follow signs to Discovery Museum from here.

From the East

If you are travelling from the east of the city, we recommend entering the city centre from the north and follow these instructions due to the new road layout around Newcastle Central station.

Car parking 

We advise parking at the Grainger Town multi-storey car park on Waterloo Street. It is a three minute walk to Discovery Museum.

There are two parking spaces for Blue Badge holders in Blandford Square car park.

Newcastle City Council car parks use cash, card or the PayByPhone app for car park payments. Please do not use any QR code displayed in the car park to pay for parking. 

The nearest coach park is at Ord Street car park, near the Utilita Arena. Please call (0191) 261 5103 for more information. 

Please note that Discovery Museum sits within the Clean Air Zone. Privately owned vehicles and motorbikes are not affected by this charge. For more information, please visit the Breathe Clean Air website.