Discovery Museum

What is the The Discovery Museum Newcastle? 

Visiting Newcastle and want to find out about Tynside’s rich history? Newcastle’s very own Discovery Museum is where it’s at!

Located in the city centre, the attraction is a fave for fun family days out. There’s something for everyone. Whether you’re 40 and interested in Newcastle’s maritime history. Or whether you’re 4 and looking for ways to play. And entry into Newcastle’s Discovery Museum is FREE! 

Let’s take a closer look at what’s on offer…

What can I do at The Discovery Museum Newcastle? 

See Turbinia – once, the fastest ship in the world!

When you enter Discovery Museum, you’ll see Turbinia. At 35 metres, she’s hard to miss. Turbinia was the first ship to run on a steam turbine. At one point, she was the fastest ship in the world. And, she was invented on Tyneside!

Once you’ve surveyed this sizable sea voyager, you can learn about her past. The Turbinia Story display breathes life into the historic ship.

Discover Tyneside’s Maritime and Military Past

Discovery Museum allows you to explore the history of Newcastle’s famous River Tyne through The Story of the Tyne. You can discover the Tyne’s trading past and marvel at displays that include full size boats!

Charge! meanwhile, gives you a view into Tyneside’s military past. Watch the history of England’s Northern Calvary come to life through artefacts and awesome activities. 

Time Travel the Streets of Newcastle

What if Eric told you that you could time travel in the Discovery Museum? Does it sound too good to be true? Not at all. 

It’s possible with the Discovery Museum’s Newcastle Story. You can journey through Newcastle’s streets right from Roman times, up to the early 2000’s! 

See Tyneside homes through history and the Norman Castle that gave Newcastle its name. Peek into the city’s Victorian past and its role in both world wars.

Explore industry and invention on Tyneside

Ever wondered about what it was like to live and work on Tyneside? You know – in the olden days? 

Well, you can find out through the Working Lives Gallery! Here, you’re able to learn about working life on the Tyne via real stories told through film. As well as through objects of industry! 

The Museum’s Tyneside Challenge also enables you to discover some of Newcastle’s most interesting inventions. From Stephenson’s Locomotive to Armstrong’s No.1 Gun!

Be a Red Arrow for the day!

Ever watched the Great North Run and desperately wanted to be an RAF Red Arrow pilot? Now, do you want some GREAT news? You can be, with the Discovery Museum’s new flight simulator.

For just £3.50 you and your family can experience what it’s like to be a Red Arrow pilot. Or, you can pretend to be Tom Cruise in Top Gun.

However, there are terms and conditions you’ll need to check to make sure you’re good to go.

Hear the story of those who have made Tyneside their home

A lot of great things have came out of Tyneside. But also, a lot of great people have came into Tyneside to make it their home.

Discovery Museum’s Destination Tyneside tells the story of those who’ve made Newcastle and the North-East their home.

Take a breather for a bite to eat at Turbinia Cafe

Museum days out can be long. You need somewhere to sit and refresh. With food and coffee, of course.

Turbinia Cafe is the answer. Choose from a range of jacket potatoes, toasties, and sandwiches. As well as coffees and cold drinks. They also offer Children’s Lunch Boxes for little ones.

Activities for Children at The Discovery Museum Newcastle

Get lost in the Science Maze

This one is for both little kids and big adult kids at heart! You and your children can spend hours in the Science Maze, exploring the incredible interactive displays. There’s lots to discover in the maze – but the shadow and the air hockey table are fan faves. Not to mention that you and your children can see steam engines in action!

Play + Invent

The Discovery Museum showcases many of Newcastle’s and the North-East’s famous inventors. But, could your child be the next famous creator to come out of Tyneside?

PLAY + INVENT offers a space for children to make, invent and create. And don’t worry, if y0u’re the creative type, you can join in too. In fact, it’s the perfect place to bond with your little one. The Discovery Museum host regular drop-in and family friendly PLAY + INVENT events.

Splish Splash in Play Tyne

It’s Play Tyne! Visitors under 7 can splish splash in the Museum’s water play area.

Ways to Play

A lot of venues across Newcastle are hosting more child friendly events in the summer holidays – and Discovery Museum is no different. Ways to Play offers free family friendly fun.

Kids can design lighthouses, create kite ornaments, or make pop-up Newcastle at Discovery Museum this summer. Check out the Museum’s website for upcoming Ways to Play events.

Accessibility 

Accessible Entrances

• There is a slight ramp/slope to access the main entrance of the Museum.
• The main entrance also has automatic doors.

Disabled Parking

• Blandford Square car park is around 200m from the Museum. There are just 2 disabled parking bays available. However, as this is a public car park – these bays aren’t just for Discovery Museum visitors.
• Alternatively, Grainger Town multi-storey can be found on the other side of the road from Discovery Museum.
• The Grainger Town car park has 12 disabled bays available. Although, of course, this is slightly further away from the Museum.
• Disabled parking is free for the the first hour in the car parks mentioned above. But disabled visitors will have to pay the normal rates after this.

Accessible Toilets

• Accessible toilets can be found on the ground, second and fourth floors. You can also find baby changing facilities in these toilets.
• The accessible toilet on the second floor has a day bed and shower with a seat.
• There is also a Changing Places toilet on the ground floor.
• The male and female toilets on the ground, second and fourth fourth floors have baby changing facilities.

Other Accessibility Info

• All floors have level access. There is ramped access from the lower ground to ground floor in the Turbinia Atrium.
• There are 3 public lifts and stairs in the museum providing access to all floors. All lifts in the building have Braille indicators and voice announcers.
• Stairs in the Discovery Museum have raised tactile indicators.
• An area of the Newcastle Story gallery has a raised track floor to guide visitors.
• There are a range of seating options in all areas of the museum for those with mobility issues. This includes padded benches, seats with backs and sofas.
• Discovery Museum have 2 wheelchairs that visitors can use. All you need to do is speak to a member of staff at the Welcome Desk who will be able to help.
• Assistance dogs are welcome in the Museum. It’s recommended that you let Discovery Museum staff now if your dog will need anything during the visit ahead of time.
• Most audio points have text displays beside them.
• Audio visual displays in Story of the Tyne, Tyneside Challenge, Working Lives and Destination Tyneside are subtitled.
• BSL interpretation has been added to the North East innovators video screen outside of Tyneside Challenge. As well as to some of the presentations in Destination Tyneside.
• Fire alarms in the Discovery Museum have voice evacuation sounders and visual flashing lights. There are also rolling text messages displayed around the Museum in the event of a fire.
• The lift cannot be used during a fire. However, there are evac-chairs available. Visitors are advised to let a member of staff know if you will require help if there is a fire.

Looking for other Museums or family friendly indoor activities in Newcastle? Check out Great North Museum: Hancock or Life Science Centre.