Superb day out for all the family! Bringing history to life! (Beamish North of England Open Air Museum)

Member Name: geckohunter

Product:	Beamish North of England Open Air Museum
Date:	22/05/01 (235 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Interesting History, Great Staff, Good Value

Disadvantages: None

Me and my family have jsut got back from a weekend in Durham. Not only was it a fantastic weekend in a great town, but without question, the highspot was the Beamish Open-air Museum.

Unlike many other museums, this museam is real-life and your are encouraged to interact as much as possible.

It is a town as you would have found in the 1800s (early 1900s) and has many old building and attractions that have been dismantled and rebuilt at this beautiful location.

Probably the greatest asset of the park are the people who work there. In all of the buildings are people dressed in period dress doing things that people of the day would have been. From ploughing fields using old techniques and horses, to driving old-fashioned cars, or working in old fashioned shops and kitchens, its all their.

The staff engage you in conversation in character, and you genuinely feel as though you are talking to someone from the past. They are interesting, funny and great with kids.

For train enthusiasts, they have several old steams trains, and a real steam train you can ride on.

As well as a train workshop, signal station, mine (with underground tour), mining village, school, shopping street, church, and mannor house; there is a farm (which, sadly, was closed due to the risk foot and mouth) and a working fun-fair you can ride on.

There are lots of these 'zones' with transport between, restored-trams and buses, although its a great walk in lovely gardens.

Wheel-chair/push-chair access is great and there are plenty of toilets, all spotless.

It costs £12 per adult (and was cheaper for children) and is well worth it. We were there from 10:30->5 ish.

Fantastic family day out, great value. Could not find a single fault!

Well done!

Summary: