MUSEUMS AND VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

Angel of the North

Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North (10 minutes south of Newcastle city centre on the A167), is one of the North’s unmissable sights. Standing 20m high (taller than four double-decker buses), with a wingspan of 54m, it weighs 200 tons.

Admission: Free
Further information: www.gateshead.gov.uk/angel

Alnwick Garden

Alnwick, Northumberland
Tel: 01665 511350

One of Europe’s most spectacular, contemporary gardens – the creation of the Duchess of Northumberland – the 12-acre grounds include a Grand Cascade, Poison Garden, Labyrinth, water sculptures and one of the world’s largest Tree Houses, which is home to a treetop restaurant.

Further information: www.alnwickgarden.com
Discounted tickets can be purchased from the hotel reception.

Beamish Open Air Museum

Beamish, Co Durham
Tel: 0191 370 4000

Life in north-east England in the early 19th and early 20th centuries is recreated at this award-winning, open air museum with trams, steam engines, a farm, colliery village, town, shops and fairground set in 300 acres.

Further information: www.beamish.org.uk

Centre for Life

Times Square, Newcastle
Tel: 0191 243 8210

Family-friendly science centre with interactive technology, virtual games, 3D films and workshops that explain the origins of life and why we’re all different in an exciting, fun and often hilarious way. Changing exhibitions, planetarium, theatre and amazing Motion Ride.

Further information: www.life.org.uk

Bede’s World

Church Bank, Jarrow
Tel: 0191 489 2106

Anglo-Saxon monastic site and museum of Venerable Bede’s life and work (AD 673 – 735) plus a working Anglo-Saxon farm.

Further information: www.bedesworld.co.uk

Discovery Museum

Blandford Square, Newcastle
Tel: 0191 232 6789

Discover Tyneside life from the Romans to the 21st century, from its maritime history and pioneering inventors to its fashion and music scene. Attractions include an interactive Science Maze and Turbinia, the world’s first steam boat and fastest ship of its day.

Admission: Free
Further information: www.twmuseums.org.uk/discovery

Gateshead Millennium Bridge and Tyne bridges

Admire, walk or drive across the seven bridges in the city centre including the Armstrong-designed Swing Bridge, road and rail High Level Bridge (Robert Stephenson), iconic Tyne Bridge and the award-winning tilting Gateshead Millennium Bridge. The Millennium Bridge tilts daily at 12 noon as well as when required to do so by shipping.

Admission: Free

Great North Museum

Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle
Tel: 0191 222 7418

The North’s leading natural history and archaeology museum, re-opened after a £26million refurbishment, showcases a large-scale interactive model of Hadrian’s Wall, planetarium, Egyptian mummies, ancient Greek treasures, live and stuffed animals, life-size T-Rex dinosaur skeleton and regular blockbuster exhibitions.

Admission: Free
Further information: www.twmuseums.org.uk/greatnorthmuseum

National Glass Centre

Liberty Way, Sunderland
Tel: 0191 515 5555

Discover the history of glass-making, its amazing properties and scientific uses, interactive displays, glass-blowing demonstrations plus extensive collection of contemporary glassware to buy.

Admission: Free entry
Further information: www.nationalglasscentre.com