Discover Canny Creations at Beamish Museum This Half Term

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North will some of the greatest inventions to come from the North East, from Saturday, 14^th February until Sunday, 1^st March.

Enjoy Canny Creations: Wonderful North East Inventions from Saturday, 14^th February to Sunday, 1^st March.

Head to Pockerley Waggonway and enjoy a short steam train ride plus, learn about the development of Locomotion No. 1, the first passenger service on the Stockton & Darlington Railway and a significant milestone in railway history. You can then have a go at producing a charcoal drawing of steam engines at Pockerley Old Hall.

Also at Pockerley Old Hall, learn about the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade which was founded on 5^th December 1864 and was the first of its kind in the world, and also discover the history of Durham Ox.

Learn about George Stephenson’s Geordie Lamp at the drift mine in The 1900s Pit Village.

In The 1900s Town’s Co-op store, visitors can discover the invention of Swan’s incandescent lightbulb in and hear the story of how Domestos was invented.

Learn about Charles Algernon Parsons and his work with steam turbines in the garage and head to W Smith’s Chemist, to explore the stories of Lucozade and Walker’s friction match.

Become an inventor in the Masonic Hall as you design your own creations – there’s a prize for the best invention!

Head to The 1950s Town to discover the story of the Robinson family who opened Britain’s first self-service pet suppliers in Newcastle, make your own marvellous Meccano creations from Monday, 16^th February to Saturday, 21^st February and make your own catapult in the A Reece Workshop on the 17^th, 19^th, 24^th and 26^th February.

Paul Foster, Events Manager at Beamish Museum, said: “This February Half Term, we’re telling the stories of wonderful inventions and innovators from the North East. Some may be well-known to you but others may not be – there’s certainly some fun stories to discover!

“As with all of our daytime events, Canny Creations: Wonderful North East Inventions is included in museum admission and is free to Beamish Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members, so get those passes at the ready and enjoy a day out at Beamish this February Half Term.”

In addition to the event, visitors can discover an amazing journey through time at the open air museum, which was named Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, the world’s largest museum prize.

Stroll through the stunning 1820s Landscape and sample Georgian delights at the Drovers Tavern. Take an underground tour of the coal mine in The 1900s Pit Village, brave a trip to the dentist in The 1900s Town and have your photo taken in the Edwardian photographer’s studio (additional charge applies to this activity). Meet the 1940s Land Girls and Home Guard, visit the 1950s cinema and toy shop, explore the 1950s farm and so much more!

For more information, visit www.beamish.org.uk.