On the 22nd September 2017, work started on the £18 million expansion of Beamish … “The living museum of the north”

This is the biggest project of the museums history.

The expansion will expand the open air museum in County Durham and will see the addition of 30 new exhibits, which once completed, will include a 1950s town, with a farm and a Georgian Coaching Inn, where visitors will be able to stay overnight. In addition, it it will feature a cinema, shops, cafe, bowling green and fish and chip shop, and much more!

This project is thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, as the project has been awarded nearly £11million by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Remaking Beamish is good for the economy, the project is expected to create 100 new jobs and 50 apprenticeships. In addition, 100,000 new tourists are set to flock to the attraction and region.

A trolley bus system and restored buses will be used to take visitors around the attraction.

What did the officials say?

Richard Evans, who is Beamish’s Director, said: “After years of careful planning we are really excited to be starting this major project, creating new ways for visitors to experience Beamish and learn more about everyday life in the North East of England through time. This is the largest project we have ever undertaken – so this is a major milestone in the history of Beamish. We are looking forward to the future with great optimism as we continue to grow and attract even more visitors to our region.”

Ivor Crowther, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) North East, said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we’re delighted to support Beamish as it prepares to open the door to another decade of North East life. As one of our region’s most popular attractions, Beamish is in a fantastic position to put audiences from near and far at the heart of our heritage. It’s fantastic to celebrate the beginning of the project’s building work, which will see National Lottery investment used to build the much-anticipated 1950s Town, establish a pioneering wellbeing centre, create jobs and training opportunities and secure a bright future for Beamish, its staff and the hundreds of thousands who visit each year.”

A video about the project

Below is a video which will help explain the project more

• Visit Beamish’s Website
  For more information

[td_block_11 custom_title=”More News” category_id=”5″ limit=”3″ post_ids=”-3687″][vc_column width=”1/3″]