North East Museums : Reopening Information & How To Book

Disclosure: I am working with some of the attractions mentioned in this post throughout 2021 but this post does not form part of that partnership.

OH MY GOODNESS I am SO pleased that our museums & galleries are re-opening soon. We visited a few last summer when restrictions had eased and really felt at ease and that attractions were taking safety super seriously. I am beyond excited to share and plan actual days out which offer something different to a walk or a play park and are suitable for rainy days too.

This post will share information on various museums and galleries across the North East, how you can book tickets (if required) and what you can expect when they reopen. I will update this post as I receive more information.

Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle

Reopens on 17 May with a new 'Challenging Convention' exhibition exploring four women artists through their lives and work in a climate of modernisation (ticket required). The Under 5s Playspace will remain closed for now and you do not need to pre-book to visit the free exhibitions, cafe or shop. Find out more here.

Discovery Museum, Newcastle

Reopens on 17 May. You will need to pre-book a FREE ticket (released from 9am on Wednesday 12 May). Discovery Museum has planned a packed week over half term including events on the outside plaza and in the Great Hall including Robot Days and Chalk Art (charges apply for some activities). Visitors can explore the story of Tyneside and the region's ship building heritage.

Some areas of the museum will remain closed for now - find out more about visiting and booking here.

Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle

Reopens on 17 May. You will need to pre-book a FREE ticket (available to book from 9am on Wednesday 12 May). Otherworlds : The Art of Atomhawk exhibition will be open and visitors can explore the Ancient Greeks, Ancient Egypt, the region's Roman heritage and of course, the fabulous replica T-rex skeleton.

Some areas of the museum will remain closed for now - find out more about visiting and booking here.

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery

Reopens on 17 May with a brand new exhibition, 'Sheila from Shields, Her Cat and the Rainbow (originally planned for May 2020). Visitors can also delve into the history of South Tyneside from prehistoric times to the present day.

You will need to pre-book a FREE ticket (available to book from 9am on Wednesday 12 May) and some areas of the museum will remain closed for now. Find out more about visiting and booking here.

Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum, Wallsend

Parts of Segedunum are open now - you can book a slot to outdoor archaeological site of Segedunum and reconstructed wall via their website. The wider museum and attraction will reopen on 17 May.

Segedunum Museum & Roman Fort are planning an outdoor adventure game based on the escape room concept. Launching on 29 May, this will feature clues and costumed characters around the site. Find out more here.

Visits should be pre-booked, tickets to the outdoor areas mentioned are available to book now and to the wider museum will be available to book from Wednesday 12 May.

Some areas will remain closed at this time, find out more about booking and what to expect here.

Arbeia, South Shields' Roman Fort

Reopens on 17 May. Visits should be pre-booked (tickets are released from 9am on Wednesday 12 May). Some areas will remain closed at this time, find out more about booking and what to expect here.

Like Segedunum, Arbeia is also planning an outdoor adventure game based on the escape room concept. Expect costumed actors and clues! Available from 29 May. Find out more here.

Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead

Reopens on 18 May. Expect gallery spaces featuring art and treasures including William Irving's painting featuring characters from the Blaydon Races and Anthony Gormley's original maguette for the Angel of the North. Family art classes are set to resume in June.

Some areas of the gallery may remain closed, you do not need to pre-book a visit. Find out more about what to expect here.

Stephenson Steam Railway is set to reopen on 23 May and the Hatton Gallery will reopen on 5 June.

Please note, the above information is correct at time of publishing and is subject to change - always check with venue direct before making plans as information can change.

Set your alarms as a reminder that tickets for most of the attractions are available from 9am on Wednesday 12 May. If you are planning a May Half Term trip, remember to double check your school holiday dates as ours actually runs into the first week of June this year and I imagine a lot of schools will be the same.

Most tickets are completely free but there may be additional charges for special exhibitions and activities. This information will always be provided in advance when you book.

If you do plan a visit, please consider a donation if you can. These museums rely on our support. You can find out more about making a donation online here.

I'm so excited!!!!!

Other Museum & Gallery Reopenings

These dates are correct as of 6 May, obviously this is a fluid situation so please check with venues direct for the most up-to-date info.

Beamish - the outdoor areas of Beamish are currently open with more areas opening on 17th. Pre-booking required, click here for more information / to book
Jarrow Hall - is open. Click here for more information / to book.
National Museum of the Royal Navy - reopens w/c 17 May. Pre-booking required, click here for more information/to book.

Newbiggin Maritime Centre - hope to reopen on 17 May, click here for more information
Bowes Museum - reopens on 17 May. Pre-booking required, click here for more information / to book

Roman Army Museum - due to reopen on 17 May. Click here for more information / to book.
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens - reopens on 17 May, find out more here
National Glass Centre - reopens on 17 May, click here for info.
Head of Steam - due to reopen on 18 May. Click here for more information
Preston Park Museum & Grounds - the playground is open now and the museum, victorian street and grounds reopen on 18 May. It is strongly advised that you pre-book tickets. These will be available online 10am on 17 May.
Locomotion - due to reopen on 19 May, pre-booking required. Click here for more information/to book
Oriental Museum - due to reopen on 19 May. Click here for more information.
Baltic - due to reopen on 19 May. Click here for more information
Woodhorn - reopens on 19 May. No pre-booking required, find out more here
Bailiffgate - plans to reopen on 22 May, click here for more information
Stephenson Railway Museum - due to reopen on 23 May. Click here for more information / to book.
Hatton Gallery - due to reopen on 5 June. Click here for more information.
Life - due to reopen on 10 July. Click here for more information.
Kirkleatham Museum - due to reopen on 22 July, click here for updates

Seven Stories - the cafe and bookshop is open Thursday-Sunday. No date yet for the rest of the museum. Click here for more information.
North East Museum of Land, Air and Sea - no reopening information at the moment, click here for more information.

Grace Darling Museum - unable to find any info, click here for website

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Please follow social distancing rules & Government guidelines , respect the local area, leave no trace, take litter home, park responsibly and if somewhere is busy on arrival, please consider leaving and returning at a later date.

Remember face coverings are required for indoor attractions / shops for those aged 11+ (usual exemptions apply)

Check for local lockdowns / travel restrictions before visiting anywhere.

Always check updated opening hours / protocols with venues direct before setting off as things may have changed after this post was published.