Half Term Fun at Beamish Museum

Visit Beamish Museum this Half Term (Saturday 29 May to Sunday 6 June 2021) where there’ll be something to see and do every day at the museum.

From a car rally, candle making and 1950s Coronation celebrations to live music, musket firing displays and medallion making, there’s plenty to get involved with! Beamish Museum's exhibits and trams are back open for you to enjoy. Pre-book your timed entry tickets here.

There are a whole host of activities to keep you coming back time and again to Beamish Museum during May half term:

Meet the Georgians: Saturday 29 - Sunday 30 May

• See displays by The Old 68th Durham Light Infantry Society and Display Team in The 1820s Landscape. Members of the group will share fascinating information on the regiment and carry out explosive musket firing demonstrations. Watch candle making demonstrations and listen to Georgian musicians play traditional tunes for the Monday Bank Holiday.

Eastern European Car Rally: Saturday 29 May

• Admire unusual and quirky cars on the museum’s Events Field. Organised by the Wartburg Trabant IFA Club, there will be a great selection of vehicles to see.

Take a ride on replica engine Puffing Billy: From Saturday 29 May

• Take a ride through the Georgian landscape behind replica engine Puffing Billy and experience the early days of railway.
• Rides will be limited to one compartment per household/support bubble and masks must be worn in line with government COVID-19 rules.

Trains and automobiles: Monday 31 May - Friday 4 June

• The Colliery Railway will be operating on Monday 31 May
• Friends of Beamish will be operating historic vehicles from Tuesday 1 - Friday 4 June. Be sure to keep an eye out for them as they travel around the museum site and they will have a fascinating display outside The 1900s Town garage.

1950s Royal Celebrations: Wednesday 2 - Sunday 6 June

• Take part in 1950s royal celebrations in Beamish's 1950s Welfare Hall as the museum remembers the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, which took place on 2nd June 1953 at Westminster Abbey.
• Admire fascinating items from the museum’s collection, including original street decorations used during the Coronation celebrations and commemorative ceramics. Watch footage of the Coronation and see the new Queen being crowned.
• On Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 June, make a paper party hat, listen to 1950s music, create a commemorative medallion and take part in 1950s-style party games and challenges.

Go inside Garden Cottage

• For May Half Term only, visitors can go inside Garden Cottage – home of the Land Girls – at The 1940s Farm and enjoy spotting farm animals whilst walking around the cottages (the 1940s farmhouse is not yet open). There might also be the opportunity to take part in Home Guard drills!