Visit North East Museums and discover the things you love

Plan your visit to North East Museums. Explore fascinating exhibitions and events across our unique museums and galleries in North East England, showcasing art, history, science and culture for all ages.

Discover the things you love

Nine museums and art galleries

Now's a great time to visit North East Museums. There's so much to explore across our museums and art galleries:

February half term

Check out our Ways to Play page for free and low-cost family activities taking place during February half term 2025.

Or keep reading to discover the things you'll love about North East Museums.

Discovery Museum

Family in front of Turbinia at Discovery Museum

Newcastle's story through the ages

Discovery Museum is a family-friendly museum in Newcastle city centre showcasing Tyneside's rich maritime, scientific, military and industrial heritage. 

Five things you'll love at Discovery Museum

  1. Seeing Turbinia - once the fastest ship in the world
  2. Getting hands-on in the Science Maze
  3. Discovering the city's past in the Newcastle Story exhibition
  4. Taking part in our Chain Reaction Challenge
  5. Open seven days a week with free entry for a great value day out.

Plan your visit to Discovery Museum.

Great North Museum: Hancock

Family in the Planetarium at the Great North Museum: Hancock.

A natural history and archaeology adventure 

Great North Museum: Hancock is a family-friendly museum in Newcastle city centre exploring natural history, archaeology and human cultures. It was founded in 1884 by the brothers John and Albany Hancock.

Five things you'll love at Great North Museum: Hancock

  1. Seeing a replica T. rex skeleton in the Fossil Stories exhibition
  2. Blasting off to space in the Planetarium
  3. Meeting the Pharaohs in the Ancient Egypt exhibition
  4. Playing in the Mouse House space for under 5s
  5. Open seven days a week with free entry for a great value day out.

Plan your visit to Great North Museum: Hancock.

Segedunum Roman Fort

Child enjoying dressing up as a Roman at Segedunum Roman Fort

Where Hadrian's Wall begins and ends

Segedunum Roman Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Wallsend, North Tyneside. Built in AD 122 to guard the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall, Segedunum housed 600 Roman soldiers and stood as a symbol of Roman rule for nearly 300 years.

Five things you'll love at Segedunum Roman Fort

  1. Seeing the Fort site from the 35-metre-high Viewing Tower
  2. Learning about the life of a Roman solider in the Roman Gallery
  3. Making a Roman dagger at Marvellous Monday
  4. Getting a photo with Sentius Tectonicus - a huge statue of a Roman Centurion
  5. Open Monday - Saturday. Under 22s and NE28 residents get free entry.

Plan your visit to Segedunum Roman Fort.

Stephenson Steam Railway

Steam train passing a man on grass bank.

Heritage train rides and a museum to enjoy

Stephenson Steam Railway offers a journey into the coal-powered past, with heritage train rides and exhibits of historic rail vehicles in the museum. It's located near Silverlink retail park in North Tyneside.

Five things you'll love at Stephenson Steam Railway

  1. Seeing Billy - the world's third oldest steam engine
  2. Taking a four-mile train ride in vintage 1950s carriages
  3. Designing your own railway characters at Make & Take Thursday
  4. Learning about the pioneers of the railways, George and Robert Stephenson
  5. Free entry to the museum. Pay once, ride all day for train rides.

Stephenson Steam Railway has special opening hours during February half term

  • Saturday 22 February - museum only
  • Sunday 23 February - museum and train rides
  • Thursday 28 February - museum and train rides
  • Saturday 1 March - museum only
  • Sunday 2 March - museum and train rides.

Plan your visit to Stephenson Steam Railway.

Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort

Exterior view of Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort.

Roman buildings reconstructed

Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site in South Shields. The fort guarded the main sea route to Hadrian's Wall and served as a key supply base for the Roman army. You can step into reconstructed Roman buildings on the fort site and explore fascinating archaeological finds from Arbeia in the museum.

Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort is currently closed for winter. Arbeia reopens on 31 March 2025.