What to do and see in County Durham, England: The Best History Museums

The Mining Art Gallery will provide a permanent home for more than 400 works from prominent local artists connected with the regions mining communities, including Tom McGuinness and Norman Cornish. The gallery will be located in the former Old Bank Chambers in the heart of the Market Place. Parking available at North Bondgate car park, DL14 7PG. PLEASE NOTE: We are temporarily closed due to Covid-19.

The Weardale Museum is a volunteer run charity in Ireshopeburn, County Durham. It is a small cottage museum which occupies the house next to High House Methodist Chapel, the oldest methodist Chapel in continuous use. The Museum collection tells the story of the lead-mining people and also their encounters with John Wesley and the early methodists and a visit to the chapel is part of the admission fee. The trustees encourage visitors to touch and interact with many of the fascinating objects in their Weardale Kitchen. Durham quilts and a beautifully embroidered tapestry of Weardale History are among the highlights of a visit as well as the collection of sparkling crystals and minerals from the nearby lead mines. For those interested in family history we offer a huge database of over 60,000 Weardale people. Our season starts at the Easter weekend and then we are open From May 1st to October 31st. Check our website for details of the hours and days of opening.

Following Government advice, Durham University’s museums, galleries and Botanic Garden are temporarily closed. We will be using the closed period to carry out improvements at all our sites. At the Oriental Museum this will include: - completing the new Silk Roads permanent gallery, which will provide an updated introduction to the museum and its collection. - installing the special exhibition, 'Lu Xun’s Legacy in Print Making in Modern China', celebrating the impact of Lu Xun (1881-1936) arguably the most important cultural figure of twentieth century China. Stay in touch on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. From Ancient Egypt to modern China, we are the only museum in the North of England devoted entirely to the art and archaeology of the great cultures of Northern Africa and Asia. The Oriental Museum is normally open Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm and Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, 12pm - 5pm.

Visit the place where railways were born! Set in our original 1840's railway station follow the history of Darlington and the growth of the railways. We have a shop with souvenirs to suit all tastes and pockets and a varied events programme. There really is something for everyone!

Killhope is closed until further notice. Killhope The North of England Lead Mining Museum is a multi-award winning attraction and is situated 450 metres (1500 feet) above sea level in Upper Weardale within the stunning North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With breathtaking scenery, underground adventure, hands-on activities, fascinating lead mining history, woodland walks and amazing flora and wildlife, there is so much to do and see for all the family.

The northern home of the National Museum of the Royal Navy. A fascinating journey through time, set in an authentically-created historic quayside of the 1800s. Experience Fighting Ships, a powerful insight into the tough lives of sailors from around the time of Admiral Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar. Learn how they were press ganged and see what life was like on board HMS Trincomalee, the oldest warship still afloat in the UK and the jewel in the historic quayside of Hartlepool.

The Heugh Battery Museum preserves the only First World War Battlefield in the UK and commemorates the Bombardment of the Hartlepools which took place on 16th December 1914. On site we have a reconstructed trench, lots of large artillery pieces and rifle collection. Our volunteers are very happy to give you a guided tour or answer any questions you have about the collection and the history of the museum site. We have a cafe serving delicious hot and cold food, the cakes and scones are all baked fresh on site. You can pop in to the cafe without visiting the museum. We are fully dog friendly in the museum and cafe, and hope to provide a great day out for you and your family.

Local history museum featuring displays from the medieval period to the present day. Complete with sculpture garden, a gift shop, and a unique brass rubbing centre.