CATEGORY · RAINY DAY APPROVED

Museums in Newcastle

Newcastle does well for museums that cost nothing and still fill an afternoon. Seven Stories in Ouseburn is a proper draw for book-loving families, with galleries, storytelling and soft play built in. On Barras Bridge, the Great North Museum: Hancock has dinosaurs and natural history halls that are handy for a rainy day, and Discovery Museum near Central Station runs Tiny Tyneside, a space made for under-5s alongside its transport galleries. All three of those are free and close to the centre, so you can easily do two in one day without a car. If you have toddlers, Discovery's under-5s area is the safer bet over the Hancock's bigger galleries. Jesmond Dene is worth pairing with any of them if the weather is kind, a free woodland walk with waterfalls and a Pets Corner. For something different, Ryhope Engines Museum in Sunderland is a longer trip out, but it has free parking and beam engines running on Steam Days.

✓ 6 places★ 1 upcoming event✦ 6 free to visit