The Great North Museum
The Great North Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Journey through 350 million years of evolution to discover the story of our planet and its people. From the pretty to the poisonous, the terrifying to the tiny, explore the wonder and diversity of our world at the award winning Great North Museum: Hancock.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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1,153 within 3 miles
Attractions
345 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Sandancer77Wemyss Bay, United Kingdom2,021 contributionsGood free museumWhat’s not to like about a free museum? It’s not a long walk from Haymarket metro station. There’s plenty to see on 2 floors. Lots of stuffed animals, minerals, fossils etc… Quite interesting. Good to while away an hour or so. There’s a cafe (lacking atmosphere we thought) and a shop.Thanks for taking the time to leave us feedback. It's very useful for us and helps us to evaluate what we're doing right and where we can improve. We hope you'll be able to visit us again. LeannWritten April 27, 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited December 2022Traveled with familyWritten January 1, 2023
- clare268Glasgow, United Kingdom6 contributionsFun and informative but a little confused and incomplete displays some of which didn't workIt's really a museum for kids not adults, it's fun but a bit haphazard. Sone displays were incomplete and at times confusing even for adults! The interactive screens didn't work. Friendly staff though and it was still infor active but a few things could be improved.Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten May 7, 2023
- katie26Edinburgh, United Kingdom2,160 contributionsGood museum and well laid outGreat way to spend a few hours and interesting and well curated displays. Suggested £5 donation each which we were more than happy to do. Great to see a few groups of school kids enjoying it too. Fantastic set of stuffed animals which sounds very dull but more than I have ever seen before and very well done. Hadrian’s wall room also excellent.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 16, 2023
- Albert HHarrogate, United Kingdom4 contributionsEnjoyable visitEnjoyable visit to this museum. Definately worth it if you have a couple of hours spare. We didnt use the cafe having read some previous reviews but this didnt effect us as only there for 2 hours. We particularly enjoyed the local history aspect and of course the stuffed animals. Not sure if we would visit again but was glad we did it the once.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 20, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
910 reviews
Excellent
475
Very good
305
Average
98
Poor
21
Terrible
11
Anthony S
Nottingham, UK10 contributions
Apr 2020
This family museum has lots to do with plenty to entertain young and old. There are a lot of visual exhibits spread across two floors (and a library on the third). Free entry with boxes available for donations. Only bad point is that a lot of the touch screen computer type displays ran extremely slowly and did not react to user input anywhere near well enough making them all but unusable. This doesn't really detract from a great place to visit though, whether you have a spare twenty minutes or three hours. Haymarket metro is a few minutes walk or there is on street parking close by (which you have to pay for).
Written May 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JessH
London, UK92 contributions
Sep 2021
The museum has free entry although a £5 donation is requested. The museum opens at 10am (exact timing) and has plenty of amble space. There is a cafe, toilets, lockers inside. You can easily spend a couple of hours inside, with the main features/exhibition focusing on Hadrian wall alongside Egyptian mythological, Romans mythological as well as natural history/animals.
Written October 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the review. We're glad that you think we're a great museum for both adults and kids. Please do visit again soon. Jonathan
Written March 3, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Scenic511741
62 contributions
Feb 2022
Great to do with young children.
They have various artefacts across the usual natural museum categories over two floors.
I enjoyed reading about Hadrian's Wall and the Egyptians and Romans.
Entry is free but there are plenty of opportunities to make a donation throughout the museum, including contactless payment.
The actual building in which this museum is housed, looks beautiful from the outside as well as the internal architecture, especially the impressive staircases.
The cafe upstairs has wonderful staff and a nice selection of teas, including decaff. :) They don't mind if you bring your own sandwiches to consume there.
Clean toilets, etc. Lockers available if you want to leave your coats/jackets, cos the museum was quite warm inside - everyone had removed their coats!
They have various artefacts across the usual natural museum categories over two floors.
I enjoyed reading about Hadrian's Wall and the Egyptians and Romans.
Entry is free but there are plenty of opportunities to make a donation throughout the museum, including contactless payment.
The actual building in which this museum is housed, looks beautiful from the outside as well as the internal architecture, especially the impressive staircases.
The cafe upstairs has wonderful staff and a nice selection of teas, including decaff. :) They don't mind if you bring your own sandwiches to consume there.
Clean toilets, etc. Lockers available if you want to leave your coats/jackets, cos the museum was quite warm inside - everyone had removed their coats!
Written February 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for a lovely review. We hope you'll visit us again soon. Jonathan
Written March 3, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Peter B
Rome, Italy176 contributions
Nov 2019
I've been to the Hancock Museum time and time again over the years, since I was a small kid and my grandad took me the first time, and always found it an exciting place, full of interesting stories and amazing displays. I love the natural history section, and will probably go again in the near future. Keep up the good work!
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paige S
Lincoln, UK70 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
I enjoyed this museum but found it was more aimed at children, which isn’t a bad thing!
I liked the animal displays I thought they were planned really well and put together brilliantly.
There is plenty to look at, but there were loads of kids running around so we didn’t stay there to long.
It is worth a visit though.
Thank you.
I liked the animal displays I thought they were planned really well and put together brilliantly.
There is plenty to look at, but there were loads of kids running around so we didn’t stay there to long.
It is worth a visit though.
Thank you.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sheepygold
london5,543 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
We hadn't heard of this museum before and only having a few hours in Newcastle we were wondering if it was worth walking out of the centre to see this place. We had an hour and a half and focused on the Hadrian's Wall gallery, the gems exhibition and the Greek gallery. It was well worth the investment of time especially learning about the wall. Some of the museum is a bit dusty and dated like the Victorian stuffed animals but we did enjoy our short time here.
Written October 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for making a detour to visit us. Glad to hear you enjoyed the Hadrian's Wall gallery - it's a really good introduction to the topic before visiting other forts and landmarks along the World Heritage Site. Jonathan
Written March 3, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
pente40
Northampton, UK233 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
What a find...
A fantastic building with an extensive range of interesting and intriguing artefacts and exhibits with detailed, informative notes.
Walk around at your leisure and peruse the wide and varied, fascinating items and learn about them as you go.
Some interactive areas to get the grey matter working as well as educating the inquisitive mind.
A real educational, informative and inspiring attraction that's free to enter but well worth a donation to appreciate the exhibits.
An awesome place.
A fantastic building with an extensive range of interesting and intriguing artefacts and exhibits with detailed, informative notes.
Walk around at your leisure and peruse the wide and varied, fascinating items and learn about them as you go.
Some interactive areas to get the grey matter working as well as educating the inquisitive mind.
A real educational, informative and inspiring attraction that's free to enter but well worth a donation to appreciate the exhibits.
An awesome place.
Written August 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Panman83
Hartlepool, UK29 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
Overall this museum is great, some really good stuff for children of around primary school age in particular.
The place is clean and well maintained.
The only real disappointment was the cafe, staff weren't overly helpful, choice is very limited and you don't get a lot for your money. Child seats had had the table top parts removed for some reason and the hot drinks are all served in takeaway cups. I'd suggest taking your own food or finding somewhere else local for lunch.
Another thing to bear in mind is that if you use a locker it keeps your £1 so you can't go back and forth to it during your visit without having to put a fresh £1 in each time.
The mouse house has also changed since the last time we visited with the soft play element having been removed which is a shame as this was perfect for younger kids.
The place is clean and well maintained.
The only real disappointment was the cafe, staff weren't overly helpful, choice is very limited and you don't get a lot for your money. Child seats had had the table top parts removed for some reason and the hot drinks are all served in takeaway cups. I'd suggest taking your own food or finding somewhere else local for lunch.
Another thing to bear in mind is that if you use a locker it keeps your £1 so you can't go back and forth to it during your visit without having to put a fresh £1 in each time.
The mouse house has also changed since the last time we visited with the soft play element having been removed which is a shame as this was perfect for younger kids.
Written September 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking the time to leave us feedback. It's very useful for us and helps us to evaluate what we're doing right and where we can improve. I am sorry that you had a disappointing experience at the cafe. Please be assured that your comments have been passed on to the catering manager for further action. Leann
Written November 15, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John
1 contribution
Feb 2020
Used to go there as a kid, every inch of the place was full of things to look at and had a great atmosphere, now the atmosphere is dead. despite the dead atmosphere it would be good place to relax and spend time looking around but everytime i go the place is full of screaming futureless wastes of taxpayers money (aka children) on school visits which just spoile's it even more. On the plus side it's free entry.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire
Carlisle, UK1 contribution
Feb 2022 • Family
We visited the Great North Museum as a birthday treat for my 11 year-old son who loves history and dinosaurs. This museum did not disappoint. The exhibitions are well thought out, with plenty of interactive elements to keep our 11 year old son and 13 year old daughter’s attention, and lots of ways to find out more about the exhibits and the how the museum came into being.
We really enjoyed the planetarium show, which particularly appealed to my son (who also loves space).
We stopped off at the cafe to refuel with cake, scones and drinks where the food was good, and the staff lovely.
A fantastic day out, we’ll definitely be back.
We really enjoyed the planetarium show, which particularly appealed to my son (who also loves space).
We stopped off at the cafe to refuel with cake, scones and drinks where the food was good, and the staff lovely.
A fantastic day out, we’ll definitely be back.
Written February 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glad to hear your son had a great birthday! See you again soon. Jonathan
Written March 3, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What is on show in the Great North museum
They have galleries covering Endangered Species, Hadrian's wall, Anglo Saxons, Egyptians, Gemstones, Dinosaurs - see their website for more information
blackjackgum
Auckland, New Zealand41 contributions
Do you guys just have the the planetarium? None of the reviews mention it and my son loves space and that stars etc I want to bring him to see that!
Larry E
Dundee, UK88 contributions
The Planetsrium costs extra but is available at times throughout the day.
How long do I need to look around the museum?
Beatrice-TA
Scunthorpe, UK405 contributions
About 2 to 3 hours.
How much is entry in to the musuem
Jean A
Lincoln, UK187 contributions
It's absolutely free!
Linda W
16 contributions
Is there a cafe inside that we csn have lunch ? X
TyneandWearMuseums
1 contribution
Hi Linda,
Yes, there are two cafes in the museum. If you are considering bringing a packed lunch, please call the museum on 0191 208 6765 so that we can confirm whether a dedicated space is available on the day of your visit. We do not eating or drinking in the general museum spaces to help us preserve the collections.
nicolaparker06
Durham, UK
is there diable parking available at the great north museum
TyneandWearMuseums
1 contribution
Hi, sorry for the delayed answer - there are four accessible bays at the front of the museum for blue badge holders. If these are occupied, please ask the museum reception (0191 208 6765) and we will try to accommodate you in private parking. There isn't any standard public parking unfortunately.
Is there anything interactive things? As well as it there a cafe and what times does it open and close?
donnacorner41
Peterlee, UK
Is there disabled parking outside the museum ?
TyneandWearMuseums
1 contribution
hello
Thank you for your question. Yes - we have parking for blue badge visitors.
Thanks
Vicki (in the marketing team.)
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Claim your listingThe Great North Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Great North Museum
- Hotels near The Great North Museum:
- (0.41 mi) Kensington House
- (0.61 mi) Maldron Hotel Newcastle
- (0.73 mi) Staybridge Suites Newcastle, an IHG Hotel
- (0.24 mi) Travelodge Newcastle Cobalt Business Park
- (0.47 mi) Holiday Inn Newcastle - Jesmond, an IHG Hotel
- Restaurants near The Great North Museum:
- (0.08 mi) The Teahouse
- (0.08 mi) The Hancock
- (0.17 mi) Crows Nest
- (0.10 mi) Rosso Pomo Doro
- (0.13 mi) The Grand
The Great North Museum Information
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