Arbeia Roman Fort & Museum
Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum, Baring Street
South Shields NE33 2BB
Four miles east of the end of Hadrian's Wall at South Shields, Arbeia Roman Fort played an essential role in the mighty frontier system. Originally built to house a garrison, Arbeia soon became the military supply base for the 17 forts along the Wall.
Bede's World
Church Bank
Jarrow NE32 3DY
Bede's World celebrates the extraordinary life and achievements of the Venerable Bede (AD 673 - 735) who lived and worked here in the monastery 1300 years ago. Visit: - Interactive permanent exhibition 'The Age of Bede' in the stunning new museum building - Historic site of the Anglo-Saxon monastery of St Paul and medieval monastery ruins - Rare breeds of animals, recreated Anglo-Saxon timber buildings and ancient varieties of crops and vegetables on Gyrwe, the Anglo-Saxon demonstration farm - Herb garden, based on Anglo-Saxon and medieval herbs, and laid out partly to a 9th century plan.
Bowes Railway Centre
Springwell Village
Newcastle & Gateshead NE9 7QJ
The only place in the world where rope haulage can be seen on a standard gauge railway system, Bowes Railway is a preserved colliery railway. On operating days, steam train rides are given to the hauler house for rope haulage demonstrations, but the fine examples of Victorian workshops and machinery can be seen during the week for free.
Discovery Museum
Discovery Museum, Blandford Square
Newcastle & Gateshead NE1 4JA
Discover all about life in Newcastle and Tyneside, from the area's renowned maritime history and world-changing science and technology right through to fashion through the ages and military history. The museum is bursting with interactive displays, which makes it the perfect place to learn and have fun. Explore Newcastle's past from Romans to the present day; Tyneside inventions that changed the world; a fun approach to science and take a walk through fashion.
Great North Museum: Hancock
Barras Bridge
Newcastle & Gateshead NE2 4PT
The Great North Museum incorporates collections from the Hancock Museum and Newcastle University's Museum of Antiquities, the Shefton Museum and the Hatton Gallery. Highlights of the ??26million museum include a large-scale, interactive model of Hadrian's Wall, major new displays showing the wonder and diversity of the animal kingdom, spectacular objects from the Ancient Greeks and mummies from Ancient Egypt, a planetarium and a life-size T-Rex dinosaur replica skeleton.
Monkwearmouth Station Museum
Monkwearmouth Station Museum, North Bridge Street
Sunderland SR5 1AP
This splendid Victorian railway station recreates a sense of rail travel in the past. Explore the ticket office as it would have looked in Victorian times, see the guard's van and goods wagon in the railway sidings and watch today's trains zoom past the Platform Gallery.
National Glass Centre
Liberty Way
Sunderland SR6 0GL
National Glass Centre at the University of Sunderland is a cultural attraction and venue with a difference. With glass at the heart of everything they do, they celebrate Sunderland's glass making heritage and explore the creative potential of this extraordinary material. Discover the origins, growth and legacy of glass making in Sunderland with their permanent exhibition, Stories of Glass in Sunderland.
North East Aircraft Museum
Washington Road
Sunderland SR5 3HZ
The North East Aircraft Museum, formerly the Northumbrian Aeronautical Collection, began life in 1974 as a small group of vintage aircraft enthusiasts meeting very informally at Sunderland Flying Club to exchange views and information on their chosen interest. At this time, the North East was the only major area of the United Kingdom not covered by any form of vintage aircraft group.
Northumberland Hussars Museum
Discovery Museum, Blandford Square
Newcastle & Gateshead NE1 4JA
The Northumberland (Hussars) could trace its origins to December 1819 when the Northumberland and Newcastle Volunteer Corps of Cavalry formed, under the command of Charles John Brandling, of Gosforth House. Justification for its formation was attributed to the revolutionary spirit then especially prevalent in the North of England.
Ryhope Engines Museum
Ryhope
Sunderland SR2 0ND
The Ryhope Engines Museum is based on the Ryhope Pumping Station which was built in 1868 to supply water to the Sunderland area. The station ceased operation in 1967 - after 100 years of continuous use. The museum is now regarded as one of the finest industrial monuments in the North East of England, and is in a Grade II (starred) listed building.
Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum
Buddle Street
Wallsend NE28 6HR
In AD122 the Emperor Hadrian ordered a mighty frontier system to be built across Britain to defend the Roman Empire from the barbarians to the North. The result was Hadrian's Wall, a 73 mile barrier stretching from the River Tyne in the east to the Solway Firth in the west. Segedunum, which means 'strong Fort', was built to guard the eastern end of the Wall, and housed 600 Roman soldiers. Collections: The Roman collections at Segedunum relate to the more recent excavations of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, and are constantly being augmented by fresh archaeological fieldwork in the Wallsend area. Their particular significance lies in the fact that they represent a comparatively comprehensive span of both the 300 year occupation of the site, and of the assorted structures within it.
Seven Stories, National Centre for Children
Seven Stories, 30 Lime Street, Ouseburn Valley
Newcastle & Gateshead NE1 2PQ
>At the heart of Seven Stories is a treasure trove of original artwork and manuscripts which records the creative process involved in making a children's book and provides an insight into the working lives of authors and illustrators. Seven Stories is the only place in the UK which is actively collecting original artwork by British writers and illustrators for children.
Shipley Art Gallery
Shipley Art Gallery, Prince Consort Road
Newcastle & Gateshead NE8 4JB
The Shipley Art Gallery is home to a collection of over 700 breathtaking pieces by the country's leading craft makers. A dazzling selection of this collection is on permanent show and includes studio ceramics, glass, metalwork, jewellery, textiles and furniture.
Souter Lighthouse & The Leas - National Trust
Coast Road, Whitburn
Sunderland SR6 7NH
Opened in 1871 Souter remains an iconic beacon. Hooped in red and white and standing proud on the coastline midway between the Tyne and the Wear.
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
Ocean Road
South Shields NE33 2JA
This friendly venue explores the story of South Tyneside, including the lifetime achievement of the successful local author Catherine Cookson. Its major collections are in social history and art which are represented in the newly refurbished Changing Faces gallery.
St Mary's Heritage Centre
St Mary's Church, Oakwellgate
Gateshead NE8 2AU
St Mary's Church, which sits high above the River Tyne close to The Sage Gateshead, reopened on the 16th December 2008 following a ??1.2m transformation, funded by Gateshead Council, the European Regional Development fund and the heritage lottery fund, into Tyneside's newest visitor attraction. The interior of the Grade 1-listed church has been completely stripped out to return it as far as possible to its former state, and is now open to the public with a programme of exhibitions and activities including a new family history section focusing on the church and the nearby area.
Stephenson Railway Museum
Middle Engine Lane
North Shields NE29 8DX
Re-live the glorious days of the steam railway at the Stephenson Railway Museum in North Shields. The museum is home to George Stephenson's 'Billy', a forerunner of the world-famous Rocket, and many other engines from the great age of steam including 'Jackie Milburn', named after the Newcastle United legend. Rides on a real steam train can be taken and the story of coal and electricity's impact on ordinary people's lives can be discovered.
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Burdon Road
Sunderland SR1 1PP
Exciting hands-on exhibits and interactive displays tell the story of Sunderland from its prehistoric past through to the present day. The Art Gallery features paintings by L S Lowry alongside Victorian masterpieces and artefacts from the four corners of the world.
Tanfield Railway - The World's Oldest Railway
Marley Hill Engine Shed, Old Marley Hill
Gateshead NE16 5ET
Step aboard the world famous Tanfield Railway, a great day out for all the family. Join us for an unforgettable journey on a vintage steam train with unique Victorian carriages and lovingly restored locomotives, for a six mile round trip through beautiful rolling countryside and a spectacular wooded valley.
Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Watch House
Spanish Battery
Tynemouth NE30 4DD
The Brigade Watch House Museum is packed full of fascinating and unique artefacts of the Brigade's history, including the ship's bell from one of the shipwrecks that led to the creation of the Brigade in 1864. Furthermore behind every picture and relic is a captivating story about how it links into both the Brigade's past and present role as a Voluntary Life Brigade on the North Tyneside Coastline.
Washington 'F' Pit Museum
Washington 'F' Pit Museum, Albany Way
Washington NE37 1BJ
Washington 'F' Pit's magnificent Victorian steam engine, engine house and headgear are preserved to mark the town's coalmining heritage that reaches back over 250 years. The industrial monument is the last of its type in the North East.