List of museums in Northumberland facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Northumberland is a beautiful county in England, full of history and amazing places to explore. If you love learning about the past, seeing cool old things, or discovering new art, then you're in luck! Northumberland has many fantastic museums. These museums are special places where people collect and take care of interesting objects. They might be about history, art, science, or local culture. They then share these collections with everyone, so you can come and see them. Get ready to discover some incredible stories and treasures!

Awesome Museums to Explore
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Awesome Museums to Explore

Northumberland is home to many exciting museums. Each one offers a unique peek into different parts of history and culture.

Alnwick Castle: A Grand Adventure

Alnwick Castle is a famous landmark in Northumberland.

Located in Alnwick, Alnwick Castle is more than just a castle; it's like stepping into a storybook! You can take tours of the grand rooms where important people once lived. There's also a military museum that tells you about the Napoleonic Wars. Don't miss the Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland inside, which is all about soldiers from the area. You can also see ancient British and Irish treasures and even old vehicles from the 1800s.

Armstrong's Household and Farming Museum: Life in the Past

In North Charlton, this museum shows you what life was like long ago. It has old household items and farming tools set up in different rooms. Imagine a nursery with toys from the past, or a washing room from before modern machines! You can also see things from World War II and beautiful local needlework.

Aydon Castle: A Medieval Home

Aydon Castle, a well-preserved 13th-century manor house.

Near Aydon, Aydon Castle is a cool 13th-century manor house. It's looked after by English Heritage. You can explore this old castle and imagine what it was like to live there hundreds of years ago.

Bailiffgate Museum: Alnwick's Story

The Bailiffgate Museum in Alnwick.

The Bailiffgate Museum in Alnwick tells the story of the local area. You can learn about fishing, farming, railways, and mining. They also have art exhibits, showing how people lived and worked in this part of Northumberland.

Bamburgh Castle: A Coastal Fortress

Bamburgh Castle stands proudly on the coast.

Standing tall in Bamburgh, Bamburgh Castle is an amazing castle that has been lived in since the time of the Normans. It has a museum inside that shares the history of the castle and the inventions of a famous industrialist named William Armstrong, 1st Baron Armstrong.

Bellingham Heritage Centre: Border Tales

The Bellingham Heritage Centre.

At the Bellingham Heritage Centre in Bellingham, you can dive into local history. Discover the Border Counties Railway, learn about the Border Reivers (old border families), and see how mining and farming shaped the area. There's even a recreated smithy!

Belsay Castle and Hall: Two Historic Gems

Belsay Castle, a medieval fortress.

In Belsay, you can visit two incredible places. Belsay Castle is a 14th-century medieval castle, managed by English Heritage. Nearby, Belsay Hall is a grand 19th-century country mansion with beautiful gardens and a park. It's unfurnished, so you can imagine how it might have looked.

Berwick Museums: Art and History Combined

Berwick Barracks, home to several museums.

Berwick-upon-Tweed has a couple of interesting spots. The Berwick Gymnasium Gallery shows modern art. The Berwick Museum & Art Gallery has fine art, old porcelain, and glass. It also tells the story of medieval Berwick, its castle, and local life, including trades, mining, and fishing. Both are located in the historic Berwick Barracks.

Blyth Battery: Coastal Defences

In Blyth, the Blyth Battery shows you coastal defence buildings from World War I and World War II. It's a great place to learn about military and local history.

Cherryburn: Thomas Bewick's Home

The birthplace of Thomas Bewick at Cherryburn.

Cherryburn in Mickley is the birthplace of a famous artist named Thomas Bewick. He was known for his amazing engravings, especially of birds. This historic house, run by the National Trust, has exhibits about his life and work.

Chillingham Castle: A Medieval Stronghold

Chillingham Castle, a medieval fortress with state rooms.

Chillingham Castle in Chillingham is a medieval castle where you can explore its impressive state rooms. It's a real journey back in time!

Roman Forts: Stepping Back to Ancient Rome

Northumberland is famous for Hadrian's Wall and its Roman history.

The bathhouse at Chesters Roman Fort.

Chesters Roman Fort near Walwick is an English Heritage site. It has a well-preserved Roman fort and a museum full of artifacts.

Excavations at Corbridge Roman Site.

Corbridge Roman Site in Corbridge is another English Heritage site. It's a Roman fort south of Hadrian's Wall with a museum of ancient objects.

The granaries at Housesteads Roman Fort.

Housesteads Roman Fort is an excavated Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall. It's also managed by English Heritage and has a museum with many artifacts.

Vindolanda, a Roman auxiliary fort.

Vindolanda near Hexham is a Roman fort south of Hadrian's Wall. It has an amazing museum with artifacts and information about the Roman army.

Cragside: A Victorian Marvel

Cragside, the innovative home of Lord Armstrong.

Cragside in Rothbury is a 19th-century country home run by the National Trust. It belonged to Lord Armstrong, a brilliant inventor. This house was full of amazing new technologies for its time, making it a truly unique place to visit.

George Stephenson's Birthplace: Railway Pioneer

George Stephenson's birthplace in Wylam.

In Wylam, you can visit George Stephenson's Birthplace. This 18th-century stone cottage was the home of the railway pioneer, George Stephenson. The museum, run by the National Trust, has exhibits about railways.

Grace Darling Museum: A Heroine's Story

The Grace Darling Museum in Bamburgh.

The Grace Darling Museum in Bamburgh tells the incredible story of Grace Darling. She was a Victorian heroine who, with her father, bravely rescued 13 people from a shipwreck in 1838. This museum, run by the RNLI, has her history and memorabilia.

Heatherslaw Mill: A Working Mill

Heatherslaw Mill, a 19th-century water-driven corn mill.

At Heatherslaw Mill in Etal, you can see a 19th-century water-driven corn mill in action. It's fascinating to see how grain was turned into flour long ago.

Hexham Old Gaol: Medieval Prison Life

Hexham Old Gaol, a medieval prison.

The Hexham Old Gaol in Hexham is a medieval prison. You can learn about crimes and punishments from the past and discover more about the Border Reivers.

Kielder Forest Visitor Centre: Nature and History

Kielder Castle, now a visitor centre.

The Kielder Castle Visitor Centre in Kielder teaches you about the huge Kielder Forest. You can learn about its wildlife, like red squirrels, and the history of Kielder Castle. There's even an art gallery.

Kielder Salmon Centre: Fishy Facts

Also in Kielder, the Kielder Salmon Centre is a fish hatchery for salmon. It's a great place to learn about these amazing fish and their life cycle.

King’s Own Scottish Borderers Regimental Museum: Military History

Berwick Barracks, where the King's Own Scottish Borderers Regimental Museum is located.

Located in Berwick Barracks in Berwick-upon-Tweed, this museum tells the history of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers regiment. You can see their uniforms and memorabilia.

Lady Waterford Hall: Biblical Art

Lady Waterford Hall in Ford Village.

Lady Waterford Hall in Ford has a special collection of 19th-century watercolour murals. These beautiful paintings show biblical scenes and were created by Louisa Beresford, Marchioness of Waterford. You can also learn about her life.

Lindisfarne: Holy Island's Treasures

Holy Island is a place rich in history and nature.

Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island.

Lindisfarne Castle, run by the National Trust, is a 16th-century castle with beautiful early 20th-century interiors. It also has a famous walled garden.

The Lindisfarne Centre explores the island's history and culture. You can see a copy of the famous Lindisfarne Gospels and learn about the Vikings who visited the island.
The ruins of Lindisfarne Priory.

Lindisfarne Priory, managed by English Heritage, shows the ruins of a 7th-century monastery. It was a very important place for early Christianity in England.

Longstone Lighthouse: A Beacon of History

Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands.

On the Farne Islands, you can visit Longstone Lighthouse. This lighthouse museum is accessible by boat and offers a glimpse into maritime life.

Museum of Classic Sci-Fi: Out of This World!

The Museum of Classic Sci-Fi in Allendale.

In Allendale, the Museum of Classic Sci-Fi is a must-see for fans! It has amazing items from shows like Doctor Who, Blake's 7, Star Trek, Flash Gordon, Thunderbirds, and the Marvel universe.

Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum: Musical History

The Morpeth Chantry, home to the Bagpipe Museum.

The Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum in Morpeth is a unique place. It showcases historic bagpipes, telling the story of this traditional instrument.

Preston Tower: A Medieval Watchtower

Preston Tower, a medieval pele tower.

Preston Tower in Chathill is a medieval pele tower. You can see a period guard room and even a prison inside.

Seaton Delaval Hall: A Grand Estate

Seaton Delaval Hall, an 18th-century country house.

Seaton Delaval Hall in Seaton Sluice is a magnificent 18th-century house with beautiful gardens. It's managed by the National Trust and is a great example of grand architecture.

Wallington Hall: A Palladian Gem

Wallington Hall, a beautiful Palladian house.

Wallington Hall in Cambo is a stunning Palladian house. Run by the National Trust, it has beautifully furnished rooms and a fascinating collection of dollhouses.

Warkworth Castle: A Ruined Beauty

The impressive keep of Warkworth Castle.

Warkworth Castle in Warkworth is an English Heritage site. You can explore the remains of this medieval castle and some preserved rooms. In summer, you can also visit the nearby Warkworth Hermitage.

Watch House Museum: Seaton Sluice's Past

The Watch House Museum in Seaton Sluice tells the local history of the area.

Wylam Railway Museum: The Birth of Railways

The Wylam Railway Museum in Wylam celebrates the history of railway development. It highlights local railway pioneers like George Stephenson, Timothy Hackworth, and William Hedley.

Woodhorn Museum: A Mining Story

Woodhorn Museum, a former colliery.

Woodhorn Museum in Ashington is a former colliery (coal mine). You can see original mining equipment and buildings. The museum tells the story of the mine and the lives of miners. It also has art created by miners and changing exhibits on art, science, and history. There's even a narrow gauge railway!