Has anyone been to Beamish Museum?

ripplyuk

We're planning to go next month and I was wondering about how long it takes to see everything? Would it be a full day?

Also, they have some 'experiences' that you can do for an extra fee and I'd like to do one of them, but I'm worried there would not be enough time to see everything else.

Any tips would be appreciated. Is it still worth going to if the weather is wet?

Torry_Quine

You do need plenty of time to see it all. We are usually there for about six hours. Still worth it if wet as many of the buildings you visit are still good.

daveyjp

A day isn't long enough to do it justice. On our first visit a few years ago we had been there all day, from opening to just before closing. On the tram back from the village to the exit we realised there was a whole section we had completely missed!

They are building a new Georgian village area, but I don't know if any of it is open yet.

Once that is open you will need a weekend.

There is plenty inside so rain doesn't spoil the day.

FOREVER21

As has been said you can easily spend all day and not see everything.

The entrance fee now allows multiple visits, so if you are local you will be able to catch up on what you missed first time.

vikingaero

We turned up at before opening time, were the first in and never saw it all. There are talks/tours/events at certain times which cuts into the time you have for a visit even more. 2 days will cover it.

ripplyuk

Thanks for all the replies. It's obvious I'd never be able to fit in one of their experiences, as well as see the whole place in one day. We're staying in Northallerton for 5 days as a short break and Beamish is definitely on our to do list.

We've been to Blist's Hill in Ironbridge and it didn't take that long, mainly because a lot of the industrial machines exhibits didn't really interest me. From the website, Beamish seems to have plenty of houses, shops etc, and I'd love to see the pit villages and the ponies.

Naf

Your entrance ticket lasts all year; 2 or 3 days should be enough to see all of the basic attractions and a handful of any of the special stuff they have on.

But well worth the visit.

WeAreGhosts

Bloomin' love Beamish. Haven't been for years, definitely need another visit ...

Did you know you can travel round it on Google StreetView? It gives you some idea of the scale of the place.

Savagirl

Was there yesterday, Arrived 10.30 left about 4.00 and we have been many times before. Dont spend extra on an experience plenty to do without that.
Do make use of the 'villagers'. They have a wealth of interesting facts and are brilliant to chat too. The dentist is always popular for his tales!
If you want to get your photo done victorian style you need to book in early as it is now so popular. We had ours done years ago but overheard some-one being told you need to be there for about 10.30.
The home baked goods in the bakery are popular as is the sweet shop, both of which have demos on during the day.
Lots of areas for drinks and snacks scattered around. Prices on a par with other visitor attractions. we paid £21 for 2 salads, 2 teas and 2 home made treats (my lemon crumble cake was too big to finish!)
Lots of well kept areas to picnic if the weather is kind.

PS re the scale of the place 14000+ steps recorded on our visit, also quite a few banks and rough pathways- wear trainers!

ripplyuk

14,000 steps! Was that with using the trains/trams or walking the whole way?

I've had a look on streetview. It does seem very spread out. I might be going on my own as my partner doesn't really enjoy these places like I do. He might just drop me off and go elsewhere. Given the size of it, I hope I don't get lost or miss anything. I've ordered the guidebook to give me an idea.

I might forget about doing any of the experiences. It was mainly the heavy horse experience that I wanted, but hopefully I'll still get to see some of them. I'm love to get a photo taken dressed up in Victorian clothes. Thanks for the tip about booking early. I see they sell fish&chips fried in beef dripping which sounds nice too.

Naf

WeAreGhosts wrote: »

Did you know you can travel round it on Google StreetView? It gives you some idea of the scale of the place.

:T Thanks for this, I had no idea! Brilliant!


Along the same lines as Savagirl's advice:

• Things like the sweet shop tend to get particularly busy just after lunch, and especially at kicking out time - buy your sweets early
• Don't miss the last trams back up to the top - especially if you're all the way down at the main street of shops. Its a bit of a trek back up the hill by foot. Also, the last trams are packed full, so try to be earlier.