We visited South Shields Museum today for the first time and we were really surprised with what we found.
The building has tons of history and is now set over 2 floors bursting with Social, Industrial and Maritime history that stretches back thousands of years ago right up until the present day. I loved the little insights into Catherine Cookson's life with a replica of her childhood living room, there's even a glass display cabinet with her 2 pigtails of hair in it! I have been a fan of Catherine Cookson since I was little so I enjoyed this little section. You can also find a replica street with a replica shop front in this section.
On the ground floor you can take a look around some of the collections and special displays. We found the story of William Jobling and how he ended up taking the blame for attacking someone, so he was sent into the Gibbet. However his body disappeared but the gibbet stayed up for 25 years. (A gibbet was a device that criminals were placed into, not a very nice thing with metal head holdings and it cages your body, they put people into them and left them in it, hanging up to warn others what would happen if they did something wrong) For those with younger kids, there is a replica of a body in a gibbet hanging up.
On the ground floor you can also find Creature Corner with Insects and Reptiles
You then head up an impressive staircase with beautiful Stained Glass Windows to the Second Floor. Also a lovely little Victorian Tearoom which looked great and was reasonably priced, we didn't go in today as it was a bit too early for lunch but do want to go back and try some of those cakes!
On the first floor there's an exhibition room and a small art gallery, currently it houses a John Peace collection which is fantastic and recommend to any art lovers. I loved the little touches of the sketch book left for the public to draw something. however most of the pages had been graffitied, which was a shame.
Good to know
Free to enter
Two Floors in the museum
Interactive play for kids (some were turned off)
Creature Corner
Small Shop
A lovely Victorian style Tea Room
Exhibition space
Art Gallery
Fully accessible to all with lifts
Wheel Chairs available (ask at the desk)
Plenty of photo opportunities
Toilets & baby changing
Breastfeeding friendly
Assistance dogs only
You can also access activities online HERE
Opening times
Monday - Friday 10-5
Saturday - 11-4
Sunday - Closed
How To Get To The Museum
Post Code - NE33 2JA
5 minute walk from South Shields Metro Station
10 Minute Walk from the Ferry
Don't forget, kids under 11 travel free with a paying adult (up to 3 per adult)
The Museum is located on the pedestrian part of the town centre so you will need to use one of the car parks in the area to get to it.
What else is in the are?
Ocean Beach Pleasure Park
Arbeia Roman Fort
South/North Marine Park
Marsden Beach
Souter Lighthouse ( National Trust)
The Customs House
NE Maritime Museum
Little Play Café
A little bit further
St Mary's Island
Tynemouth Priory
Seaton Delaval Hall (NT)
Tynemouth Aquarium
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