We look forward to welcoming you to Beamish!
The safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers is always our first priority and we continue to have a range of COVID-19 Secure measures in place. We support the wearing of face coverings in all indoor spaces.
To find out more about our exhibits and facilities, including catering and toilets. See our visitor map here.
How do I book a visit to Beamish?
Visitors will no longer need timeslots to visit the museum, you will just need your Unlimited Pass or Friends of Beamish membership to come to see us, which can be bought online.
Opening Times
- 1st April 2023 – 5th November 2023: Open daily, 10am-5pm
- 6th November – 24th November 2023: Open Wednesday to Sunday (closed Mondays & Tuesdays), 10am-4pm
- 25th November – 24th December 2023: Open daily, 10am-4pm
- 25th & 26th December 2023: Closed
- 27th December 2023 – 7th January 2024: Open daily, 10am-4pm
What you need to visit Beamish:
- Each person aged five and over needs a valid Beamish Unlimited Pass/Friends of Beamish membership. Adult, child, senior/student and family passes available. Under 5s do not need a pass/membership. Please note, Beamish Unlimited Passes are non-refundable.
Beamish Unlimited Passes and Friends of Beamish memberships are valid for one year from the date of purchase. Please note, Beamish Unlimited Passes and Friends of Beamish memberships are not valid for Evening Events.
The safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers remains our number one priority and we have COVID-19 Secure measures in place across the museum.
A huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone for your continuing support, it really does mean the world to us. Beamish is a charity and 95 per cent of our income is from our visitors, including ticket sales, retail and catering.
How do I find out more about the museum site?
Step back in time and discover life in the 1820s, early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s.
Is your transport running?
Yes, we have a number of our transport exhibits in operation. Our trams and vintage buses are operating throughout the day on a circular route around the museum, calling at the Entrance, Pockerley, 1900s Town and Foulbridge.
Our wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) will also be available and will be limited to its seated capacity. It will not be operating in general service and is solely available for those who require its adaptations, including the wheelchair lift at the rear of the vehicle. The crew have been inducted and trained to look after you and enable you to enjoy your visit to the museum.
We support the wearing of face coverings in all indoor spaces and ask that visitors respect each other’s personal space when waiting for or on board our vehicles.
What catering options do you have?
We have sit-in and takeaway options available. See our visitor map here.
- The 1900s Town: The Tea Rooms (sit-in and takeaway), The Sun Inn pub (sit-in and takeaway), Herron’s Bakery (takeaway), Beamish Delicious Ices (takeaway).
- The 1950s Town: John’s Café (sit-in and takeaway), Middleton’s Quality Fish and Chips (takeaway. A vegetarian chip offer is available on request), bowling pavilion (takeaway).
- The 1900s Pit Village: Davy’s fish and chip shop (sit-in and takeaway), Sinkers’ Bait Cabin (takeaway).
- Entrance: Coffee Shop (sit-in and takeaway).
Will I need to pay by card for any purchases during my visit?
We accept cash at the museum, though we do ask if payments can be made by card if possible.
How can I help Beamish during this time?
Thank you very much for your support! Beamish is a charity and 95 per cent of our income is from visitors, including tickets, catering and retail – our closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic are continuing to have a significant impact on the museum.
Donations can be made by clicking here – we really appreciate your support!
You can also help us by becoming a Friends of Beamish member click here, buying or renewing a Beamish Unlimited Pass or giving a gift voucher, please click here.
You can also make a purchase from our online shop, with unique Beamish items, inspired by our exhibits and collection click here.
Your donations and purchases are supporting the museum and helping to secure our future, thank you!
What happens if I already have a Friends of Beamish membership or Beamish Unlimited Pass?
Thank you for supporting the museum by becoming a Friends of Beamish member or purchasing an Unlimited Pass. As a charity, 95 per cent of our income comes from our visitors, including ticket sales, catering and retail – we really appreciate your support.
If you have further enquiries relating to your pass, please email entranceteam@beamish.org.uk.
I am a carer, how do I get a ticket?
If a disabled visitor requires another person as their carer to allow them to visit the museum, then this carer visits free of charge (and does not need to purchase an Unlimited Pass or Friends of Beamish membership).
For more information about accessibility, please visit our Accessibility page www.beamish.org.uk/accessibility.
What if I have a gift voucher?
You will be able to redeem your gift voucher at our Entrance when you arrive.
If you have a query about an expired gift voucher that hasn’t yet been redeemed, or any other gift voucher enquiries, please email entranceteam@beamish.org.uk.
What events do you have planned?
We’ve got exciting events and activities coming up, see our What’s On page and social media for more information CLICK HERE.
Download our inclusive trails, designed by members of our access panel, here:
1900s Town Trail
1900s Pit Village Trail
We continue to follow government and public health COVID-19 safety guidance and reserve the right to alter our facilities, operations and opening times without prior notice.
Beamish Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members can gain free entry to Beamish during normal daytime opening hours (last admission one hour before closing) for 12 months from the date of purchase. There are a small number of days and events when the Beamish Unlimited Pass is not valid, including special evening events such as Halloween Evenings or Christmas Evenings. Admission information will be included in the event details, however please telephone the museum or visit our website for details if you are unsure.
Thank you to everyone for your support, which is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to welcoming you to Beamish soon.