Discovery Museum

Discovery Museum Museum in Newcastle upon Tyne shares the story of Tyneside and its people. We're *open 7 days a week and admission is free! *Closed on Bank Holidays.

Newcastle's Discovery Museum is the ideal place to find out all about life on Tyneside, from the region's shipbuilding heritage to inventions which changed the world, and embodies the spirit of the people of Tyneside. Packed full of interesting collections and interactive displays it is the perfect place for all ages to learn and have fun. With a ongoing programme of temporary exhibitions and permanent displays there will always be something new to see each time you visit.

23/06/2026

Find out more about how Tyne & Wear Archives’ archivists discovered the story of Edwardian trans woman in North Shields, Jenny Gray, in a lunchtime talk with Tyne & Wear Archives Volunteer Richard Bliss. Richard will share what the research has unearthed about Jenny's extraordinary life.

📅 Friday 28 July
🆓 Free
🎟️ Booking advised as places are limited - www.twarchives.org.uk/
📍 Discovery Museum



Curious Arts North Tyneside Council Gateshead Council

21/06/2026

Early fraud prevention techiniques evident on this 1849 indentureship document!

Get up close to this fascinating handwritten legal document and more like it at Discovery Nights: Unplugged Friday 26 June, our after-hours digital detox for adults. Booking recommended - find it on our website.

18/06/2026

We've got another digital detox next Friday (26/6) just for adults where you can roam the museum after-hours dipping in and out of lovely activities like lace making, sketching this amazing dress, relaxing in the gallery with sound bathing, exploring the archives showcase - and more. There's a bar with food in the museum cafe too -so ditch your phone and make some real connections.

Tickets are £10 and cover all activities - except the food and drink.

📍Discovery Museum
📅Friday 26 June 6-9pm
🎟️ £10 + BF. Booking advised - find the link in the comments or on our website

15/06/2026

Today the iconic Swing Bridge that spans Newcastle and Gateshead is 150 years old as it was offically opened on 15 June 1876.

These plans are just one example of the plans Tyne & Wear Archives hold; these particular plans were amended up until 1907.

Lord William Armstrong’s hydraulic Swing Bridge across the River Tyne was the largest of its kind — a bold symbol of Victorian ingenuity that still stands proudly today. A brilliant example of engineering brilliance and Tyneside heritage, now a Grade II listed structure.

You can see a small display of some of the archive plans reproduced in larger format next to Turbinia in the museum until December.

Newcastle City Council North East Museums

09/06/2026

Aa went to Blaydon Races, 'twas on the ninth of Joon,
Eiteen hundred an' sixty-two, on a summer's efternoon;
Aa tyuk the 'bus frae Balmbra's, an' she wis heavy laden,
Away we went 'lang Collin'wood Street, that's on the road to Blaydon.

Ah me lads, ye shudda seen wi gannin',
We pass'd the foaks alang the road just as they wor stannin';
Thor wis lots o' lads an' lassies there, aal wi' smiling faces,
Gannin' alang the Scotswood Road, to see the Blaydon Races.

ℹ️ If you're considering visiting Discovery Museum this week please be aware that:☕ From Tuesday 9 June - Thursday 11 Ju...
07/06/2026

ℹ️ If you're considering visiting Discovery Museum this week please be aware that:

☕ From Tuesday 9 June - Thursday 11 June the museum cafe will be closed, to allow for essential maintenance.

🕐 On Wednesday 10 June, the museum opens at 1pm, instead of the usual 10am. This is to allow us all to get together for staff training.

We're sorry if this affects any plans you may have.

04/06/2026

Looking for something different to do with your Friday night?

Discovery Nights: Unplugged, a museum after-hours hangout for adults - a digital detox with bar and food is on Friday 26 June, 6-9pm.

Tickets cost £10 + booking fee and covers all of these activities 👇 (excluding food and drink)

🧘‍♀️ A sound bath in the gallery – with crystal and Himalayan singing bowls for sensory immersion
🧵 Try a ‘red list’ heritage craft - bobbin lacemaking
📜 Explore material with Tyne & Wear Archives
❓ Pub style quizzes with prizes
🔖 Bookmark stamping
✍️Mindful colouring
👗 Sketching historical clothing from the costume store
🗑️ Junk modelling
📚 Book swap
🎲 Vintage board games

🍷 🍕 Bar and food

Amanda Drago.Yoga.Sound Healing Northumbria Lacemakers

27/05/2026

Fabrics into deep freeze and hazard wrangling... Just a few things the team has to consider when dismantling an old gallery to make way for renovations to create a new Exhibition Gallery - opening this July with inaugural exhibition 'Things That Go' for younger families.

11/05/2026

UPDATE - Thanks to everyone who came to the museum on Saturday night and enjoyed crazy golf and the Seven Bridges sound/light installation. Means a lot to us.

Just a reminder that Discovery Museum is CLOSED this week, 11-17 May inclusive. It's so scaffolding can be craned into place as part of ongoing roof restoration works. We should be open again on 18 May but this could change if poor weather delays the works. We'll keep you posted!

Creative Central NCL

05/05/2026

This is Michael our museum volunteer, who joins Discovery Museum from Percy Hedley Foundation. He's very much a part of the team and we greatly appreciate the contribution he makes to the museum. He has a great sense of humour, and we love having him around.

During his time with us, Michael has developed a range of skills and experiences that will support him in future employment or volunteering opportunities.

Michael is also Deaf - so we thought we'd spotlight his contribution to the museum for Deaf Awareness Week.

Address

Blandford Square
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE14JA

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+441912326789

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Discovery Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category