The 8 Best Museums in Newcastle

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11 February 2022
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Newcastle is easily one of the most student-friendly places you could hope to find in the UK with over 42,000 students living in this exciting city. If you want your time at university to be more than finding the best student nights in Newcastle, the city offers up a host of cultural hotspots too.

With so many museums, art galleries and cultural attractions bringing in visitors and locals alike, when you find yourself with some downtime or feeling ready for a study break you’ll never be short of fun things to do in Newcastle. Whether you’re keen to explore some local history or looking to spend an afternoon exploring beautiful local art, you’re guaranteed to find a spot that suits you.

 

newcastle train 1

From the Discovery Museum and dedicated science museum to the famous Hancock Museum and everything in between, in our handy guide to the best museums in Newcastle, you’ll find many of our favourites are not far at all from our student accommodation in Newcastle. In fact, our student accommodation is in the heart of Newcastle’s city centre with the very best shops, bars, restaurants, sights and so much more practically on your doorstep.

1. Great North Museum Hancock (Formerly The Hancock Museum)

Where:

Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PT

How far:

Less than 15 minute walk* – approximate distance from your Collegiate student accommodation in Newcastle.

Price:

Free entry

The Great North Museum in Newcastle (formerly known as The Hancock Museum) is the city’s premier spot to learn all about Newcastle’s natural history, archaeology, geology and world cultures across a huge range of stunning galleries and exhibitions. At the Great North Museum you can take your pick from a wide range of subjects from local history and nature in Newcastle and Northumbria to art collections from Ancient Egypt and fossils and a replica T-Rex skeleton from the Jurassic period. You’ve also got an opportunity to see stunning films in the museum’s planetarium as well as the popular Living Planet Gallery housing a selection of full-size models of an elephant, a great white shark and more.

2. Discovery Museum

Where:

Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JA

How far:

Less than 20 minute walk – approximate distance from your Collegiate student accommodation in Newcastle.

Price:

Free Entry

The Discovery Museum in Newcastle has been an iconic building at the heart of the city centre since 1889. It’s a space where you can immerse yourself in the history of Newcastle as the Discovery Museum is home to archives, exhibitions and displays celebrating Tyneside’s rich industrial, maritime and military past starting from the Roman times and into the early millennium. At the Discovery Museum in Newcastle you’ll also find Destination Tyneside, the UK’s only permanent gallery dedicated to the story of migrants who made Tyneside their home. It’s also worth a trip to the fourth floor Great Hall to see the truly stunning art deco ceiling, before rounding off your trip in the wonderful gift shop or cafe.

3. The Biscuit Factory

Where:

16 Stoddart St, Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1AN

How far:

Less than 15 minute walk – approximate distance from your Collegiate student accommodation in Newcastle.

Price:

Free Entry

​​The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle is the UK’s largest independent commercial art, craft & design gallery and sits in the bustling hub of Newcastle’s cultural quarter. This incredibly gallery and museum in Newcastle is housed in a former Victorian warehouse, this incredible gallery space offers two floors of exciting contemporary fine art, sculpture and original prints, as well as jewellery and design-led homewares. The Biscuit Factory hosts four major exhibitions a year, representing the work of around 250 artists each season, so there is always something new to see every time you visit.

4. Seven Stories

Where:

30 Lime St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ

How far:

Less than 20 minute walk – approximate distance from your Collegiate student accommodation in Newcastle.

Price:

Free admission

Let your inner child run wild at Seven Stories in Newcastle, the national centre of children’s books. You may not know that many of the best-loved children’s books – including classics such as Alice in Wonderland and Mog the Forgetful Cat – have been written by British authors and created with British illustrators, so ‘from first scribbles to the final books’ you can explore a host of exciting and innovative exhibitions, events and activities at this incredible museum in Newcastle. The stunning old VIctorian mill building has been completely renovated and restored to bring culture lovers an incredible seven floors (hence the name Seven Stories!) to explore.

5. The Amber Side Gallery

Where:

5-9 Side, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3JE

How far:

Less than 10 minute walk – approximate distance from your Collegiate student accommodation in Newcastle.

Price:

Free entry

Situated less than a 10 minute walk away from our Northumbria University accommodation, photography lovers will relish spending an afternoon in the Amber Side Gallery, one of the best museums in Newcastle. What originally began as a film and photography collective in 1968 has blossomed into a space to celebrate local works of humanist documentary photography. At this exciting museum in Newcastle, you’ll find over 20,000 photographs, 100 films and 10,000 slides telling a unique network of 400 stories. In 2011, a collective member’s photographs were inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World register as ‘of outstanding national value and importance to the United Kingdom’, so you can be sure you’re going to enjoy some stunning, high quality art.

6. Newcastle Castle

Where:

Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1RQ

How far:

Less than 15 minute walk – approximate distance from your Collegiate student accommodation in Newcastle.

Price:

Book for entry (£8.25 for students)

While technically not a museum in Newcastle, it would be criminal to not visit this popular tourist spot while you’re in the city. Newcastle Castle boasts arguably the most spectacular view of the River Tyne you could hope for, you may have to climb to the roof to see it but we’re certain it’s worth the trek! This Norman fortress is absolutely steeped in local history and doesn’t shy away from England’s turbulent past with hidden stories of its past inhabitants among ancient chambers and passageways. At the very least, you’ll find out exactly how Newcastle got its name – or take a short cut and check out our 10 interesting facts about Newcastle.

7. Life Science Centre

Where:

Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP

How far:

Less than 15 minute walk – approximate distance from your Collegiate student accommodation in Newcastle.

Price:

Book for entry (£11 for students)

The Life Science Centre opened in Newcastle in 2000, with the purpose of inspiring people to explore and enjoy science as well as to discover its relevance to their own lives. Truly groundbreaking research into regenerative medicine and genetics has taken place at the internationally-renowned Life Science Centre and hundreds of thousands of people have benefitted from the NHS clinics at the Life science centre and museum in Newcastle. However, this is more than an innovative research facility; from Gaia, the glowing replica of planet Earth to the luminous live science shows, Life museum in Newcastle offers activities and exhibitions for people of all ages to explore.

8. Beamish: The Living Museum of the North

Where:

Beamish, County Durham, DH9 0RG

How far:

Less than 30 minute drive – approximate distance from your Collegiate student accommodation in Newcastle.

Price:

Free entry

Not only is Beamish: The Living Museum of the North one of our favourite unusual places to visit in Newcastle, this large, open air museum offers a true glimpse into life in England. With volunteers dressed in period clothing at this Newcastle museum, you’ll hear passionate tales from the early 1800s to the 20th century. The only time you’ll forget you’re not in a bygone era is when you’re exploring the grounds via one of its many trams, cars or buses, so trust us when we say that you’ll benefit from spending a whole day here as there’s so much to explore. From numerous shops and displays, this museum in Newcastle also offers a photo studio complete with 19th century dress so you can walk away with a unique souvenir from your trip to Beamish. This museum is a bit further out so you’ll be making a trip to County Durham but history buffs and culture lovers certainly won’t regret it!

Student Accommodation in Newcastle

One thing’s for sure, when you’re ready to call time on a busy day exploring Newcastle’s incredible culture and history, you’ll want a stylish and welcoming home to head back to. Our student accommodation in Newcastle is not only well-placed for Newcastle University and Northumbria University, it also puts you in the heart of the bustling city centre. With all bills and WiFi included in your weekly rent, you’ve got an amazing choice of rooms to suit your style and budget. Whether you opt for a smart room in a shared apartment or splash out on a private studio, you’ll always enjoy premium kitchen and en-suite facilities, as well as thoughtfully designed study and social spaces – and of course, a big comfy bed! It’s all part of our commitment to helping students make the most of their time at university in Newcastle.