The former colliery at Woodhorn Museum

Museums in Northumberland

Museums and history
Enter our museums and step back in time. A visit to one of Northumberland's many museums makes for an interactive and immersive experience. From the smallest museum in the country, to outdoor marvels such as Hadrian's Wall, there's something for everyone.

A collection of our history

Where else would you find one of the smallest museums in the country, a museum dedicated to bagpipes and a legion of Roman museums?

Marvel at fascinating and quirky displays paying tribute to and preserving Northumberland’s history.

What’s more, some of them are free, such as Blyth Battery, the military museum located in unique coastal defence buildings.

If you like your history in bite-size pieces, pop into the Ferryman’s Hut in Alnmouth. Said to be the smallest museum in the country, it displays village photos, trinkets and memorabilia. One of the country’s most unusual museums is the Bagpipe Museum in Morpeth Chantry, a space celebrating the history of Northumbrian bagpipes - very different to the Scottish variety! Aviation enthusiasts should wing it to Bamburgh Castle’s Armstrong and Aviation Museum. The award-winning Woodhorn celebrates Northumberland’s proud mining heritage.

Delve into Roman history at Hadrian’s Wall where alongside museums displaying astonishingly well preserved finds, there are ruins to discover and regular reenactments to join in.

Art lovers can head to the birthplace of Thomas Bewick at Cherryburn, the famous Northumberland artist who revolutionized print art in Georgian England.

With such a cornucopia of museums, going back in time makes for a fun day out in Northumberland. The county has a whole host of historical sites, gardens and hidden gems to explore. Looking for more inspiration? Take a look at our five family days out blog.

Museums in Northumberland

Recommended
Museums Berwick-upon-Tweed

King's Own Scottish Borderers Regimental Museum

The King's Own Scottish Borderers regimental museum with uniforms, medals, silver and weapons telling the story of the regiment from 1689 until the present day.
Museums Berwick-upon-Tweed

Berwick Barracks & Main Guard

The 'By Beat of Drum' exhibition gives you an insight into the life of the British infantryman from the Civil War to the First World War.
Museums Alnwick

Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery

Northumberland History & Heritage, Art and Textiles in exciting interactive style for all the family. Three floor fully accessible building.
Trip Advisor Rating
Warkworth Historic sites

Warkworth Hermitage

+44 01665 711423
Bellingham Museums

The Heritage Centre at Bellingham

01434 220050
Alnwick Museums

Aln Valley Railway

0300 030 3311
Berwick-upon-Tweed Nature and Wildlife

Chain Bridge Honey Farm

+44 01289 382362
Blyth Historic sites

Blyth Battery

07881 462284
Wylam Museum

Wylam Railway Museum

01661 852498
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Museums

Newbiggin Maritime Centre

01670 811951
Mountain biking in purple heather
Family walk in Northumberland
Couple enjoying a boat trip
Hadrian's Wall
Surf Northumberland
Outdoor adventures in Northumberland

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