Orchard Cottage at our 1940s Farm is full to the brim with fascinating and familiar sights, sounds, smells and even tastes. It’s an ideal space for groups of older people and people living with dementia, and their families and carers, to enjoy together.
Try a whole host of activities, toast bread on the fire, potter in the garden, play traditional games or have a sing-along around the piano. It’s a great space for a traditional birthday party or Christmas celebration too. Get in touch – we’ll arrange a session just for your group.
Accessibility
As Beamish is a large open air museum, it can sometimes mean visits can be very tiring and challenging for some groups such as care home residents and staff. So we have developed a variety of activities at Orchard Cottage. Here we can offer the uniqueness of Beamish but in the one cosy, comfortable place and create a session just for you.
Orchard Cottage is opposite the 1940s farmhouse and has its own parking space for a minibus or up to four cars. The cottage is wheelchair friendly and has an accessible toilet. To help plan your visit please download the Access Guide and a Hazard ID for the cottage.
This cosy cottage, based at our 1940s Farm, has been adapted to make it wheelchair accessible, but while keeping all the familiar surroundings, sounds and smells, that make a visit to Orchard Cottage so special.
The cottage is full to the brim with original pieces, from a real coal fire, piano, lots of ‘nik naks’ and of course the all-important teapot, complete with tea cosy, to enjoy a cup of tea and homemade toast together. Everything can be touched, used, and enjoyed.
Orchard Cottage has its own accessible parking space too, suitable for a minibus or up to 3- 4 cars, so there is very little walking to get to the cottage. There is also an accessible toilet inside.
Price
Groups can book a half-day session for three to five participants and additional carers or family members for £50. As space is limited inside the cottage, we recommend groups no larger than eight people in total.
This cost does not include entry to the museum. If you would like to visit the rest of the museum during your visit then an additional admission fee is charged per person. We would also advise you to view our Access Information before visiting to help plan your visit.
As Orchard Cottage is at The 1940s Farm, there is a steep slope to get to the nearest bus stop for the other areas in the museum.
Feedback from some of the care homes and groups who have visited recently have said they felt that a visit to Orchard Cottage was far more enjoyable and relaxing for everyone than trying to get around the whole museum during a visit.
To find out more and to book a session please contact our Health and Wellbeing Team – email healthandwellbeing@beamish.org.uk or phone 0191 3704016.