We were thrilled to welcome TV presenter Matt Baker to Beamish Museum for the filming of his new show, Matt Baker: Travels with Mum and Dad.
In the series, Matt and his parents, Janice and Mike, enjoyed various days out in the North East, and they chose Beamish Museum as one of their destinations.
Matt shared that he has fond memories of school trips and family days out to the museum and that a day out at Beamish was Mike’s first suggestion.
The crew spent four days filming at the museum for the hour-long episode which aired on More4 on Wednesday, 6th April 2022.
During their time at the museum, Matt helped with the restoration work of Gateshead 10 (the first tram to enter service at the museum in 1973) and learnt to drive Tram 114.
The Baker family enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s stores where they each picked an object to go in display in the 1950s Front Street terrace before visiting the terrace to install their objects.
Dan Hudachek, Head of Collections at Beamish Museum, said: “I really enjoyed taking Matt, Janice, and Mike behind the scenes at the museum. They were a lot of fun, and it was great to see their faces light up as I showed them items from our collection that related to their lives, interests, and where they grew up. Their obvious enjoyment and enthusiasm during their visit is exactly how we would like all visitors to feel after coming to the museum.
“The show as a whole brilliantly demonstrated the myriad of collections, exhibits, and stories we show, and the amazing people that work here. Thank you so much to Matt and the production team for encapsulating the essence of Beamish so well.”
In The 1900s Town, the Baker family enjoyed a spot of Edwardian window shopping, baked bread in Herron’s Bakery and recreated a family photo in JR & D Edis Photographers.
The family also visited The 1900s Pit Village where they learnt about life in the coal mines and Matt took a trip down Mahogany Drift Mine with ex-miner and Beamish Engager Stuart Davison.
The Baker family also visited The 1940s Farm, where they met our two saddleback pigs, Vera and Lynn, and Matt even helped Beamish Engager Karl Brown muck the pigs out!
Matt Baker said: “It’s been a joy taking mum and dad out for these trips around our beloved North East. I hope that viewers feel like they’re coming along for the ride with us and enjoy seeing my dad’s old caravan, fresh from being restored in Our Farm in the Dales. We’ve made some great memories met some wonderful people and I’m so proud of what we’ve all created together.”
Francesca Boyle, Communications Officer at Beamish Museum, said: “It was an honour to be asked to be a part of Matt Baker’s latest television series. It was a pleasure to meet Matt, Janice and Mike, they have such a clear passion for the North East and their genuine interest in the museum really shone through.”
The series, which is available to watch on All4, Channel 4’s streaming service, also sees the Bakers visit Bamburgh Castle, Hexham Racecourse and Durham Cathedral. The show follows on the success of Matt’s previous serious, Matt Baker: Our Farm in the Dales, which saw Matt, return to his parents’ farm to help out after his mam Janice was left injured following an accident.
Catch up with Matt Baker: Travels with Mum and Dad on All4 now.