What to do and see in Newcastle and Gateshead, England: The Best Specialty Museums

The Museum of the North of England is a stimulating and vibrant and prestigious museum right in the heart of the North of England. You are invited to enter the wonderful and educational and frightening world of the North. You can look at things, read things, if you can't read you can look at more things. Old things and new things. The past come to life. Enjoy your visit and thank you.

The Bowes Railway is unique amongst preserved railways. It is home to the only standard gauge rope hauled incline still in operation. A visit to Bowes includes a visitor trail around our scheduled industrial monument, the rope hauled inclines, a three mile steam hauled train ride and refreshment facilities. All of this can be found at a small but friendly railway at the heart of the North East.

Following new advice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in line with other cultural organisations, we have taken the difficult decision to close the Great North Museum: Hancock from 5pm on Wednesday 18 March. This is provisionally until 1 May 2020 but we will be reviewing the situation and updating if anything changes. Please sign up to our emails at mustseemuseums.org.uk and check our social media channels and website so we can keep you up to date with what’s going on. Thank you for your support and understanding at this challenging time. Stay well and we look forward to welcoming you back in due course. About Great North Museum: Hancock Journey through 350 million years of evolution to discover the story of our planet and its people. From the pretty to the poisonous, the terrifying to the tiny, explore the wonder and diversity of our world at the award winning Great North Museum: Hancock.

The Tanfield Railway, the World's oldest railway dating back to 1725, is a wonderful day out for all the family, whatever the weather. Just sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery as steam drifts past your vintage carriage in a truly yesteryear atmosphere, when lifes pace was less hurried. Trains operate every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday throughout the year, plus Thursdays and Saturdays during the school Summer holidays. Make sure to break your journey at Causey Arch and take a walk across the World's oldest surviving railway, built in 1725 to transport coal from the Durham Coalfields to the River Tyne. Also, a short stroll from Andrews House station, is the engineering base of the railway at Marley Hill. Here you can get up close to our working and stored locomotives within the World's oldest working engine shed, built in 1854. Catering facilities are located at Andrews House station, Pontop Canteen at Marley Hill and Tommy Armstrong's tea room at East Tanfield station.

Re-live the glorious days of the steam railway at Stephenson Steam Railway! 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. A programme of free events runs throughout the year, and train rides on working steam and diesel locomotives are available at certain times (check the website for details).

Seven Stories is the National home of Children's Books. There is no other place like it in the UK. Everything we do celebrates children's books, their creators and their readers. Many of the best loved books for children are written by British authors and illustrators, changing the lives of those who read and enjoy them. We select original artwork and manuscripts - from first scribbles to finished books - to create our innovative exhibitions and popular events. Seven Stories' unique exhibitions, lively events and playful activities bring children's books to life - every day for everyone - making us a place to remember.