By Steve McLean Hancock Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne
Introduction
The museums listed in this guide are situated within the counties of Northumberland, Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Cleveland north of the River Tees. Local museums with geological collections or displays present an ideal starting point from which to investigate the geology of the immediate area. Such institutions tend to collect locally or regionally and often possess top quality specimens acquired over a long period of time, many from localities which are no longer accessible. This is particularly true considering the extensive mining history of the area and the quantity of specimens which have found their way into museums as a direct result. In addition, extensive U.K. or indeed world collections are not uncommon, usually resulting from the prodigious efforts of 19th century collectors during the 'Golden Age' of geology.
In the area represented by this guide, there are three principal geological collections housed in museums. By far the largest is the collection owned by the Natural History Society of Northumbria at the Hancock Museum in Newcastle (currently managed by Tyne and Wear Museums). The earliest part of this collection dates from the beginning of the 19th century and now contains approximately 50 000 specimens, the largest proportion of which are local Carboniferous and Permian fossils. There are over 8000 mineral specimens, principally from the North Pennine Orefield.
The second largest collection, located at Sunderland Museum, is owned by Tyne and Wear Museums. Although the oldest recorded specimen dates back to 1815, the rest of the collection was begun in 1836 when the Sunderland Natural History and Antiquarian Society was founded. There are approximately 20 000 geological specimens, the largest part consisting of Permian fossils and rocks from the Zechstein strata of northeast England. The mineral collection contains over 4000 specimens collected principally from the North Pennine Orefield.
The third largest collection in the area is owned by Cleveland County Council and is housed at the Southlands Centre in Middlesbrough. The geological collection dates from 1975 and currently numbers 12–15 000 specimens, including minerals from northern England, especially the north Pennines, the Lake District and Caldbeck Fells, and regional Carboniferous, Permian and Jurassic fossils.
Museums
1. Alnwick
| Museum name and address
|
Museum of Antiquities, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1NQ, Tel. (01665) 510777
|
| Collections
|
World wide, Regional, minerals (particular strength), geological library
|
| Admission charge
|
Yes
|
| General opening hours
|
April–Oct daily
|
| Website
|
https://www.alnwickcastle.com/
|
2. Ashington
| Museum name and address
|
Woodhorn Colliery Museum Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, Ashington, Northumberland, Tel: (01670) 856968
|
| Displays
|
Social and industrial history of mining and mining communities in southeast Northumberland, working winding engine
|
| Admission charge
|
No
|
| General opening hours
|
Wed.–Sun. all year
|
| Website
|
https://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/woodhorn-museum/
|
3. Barnard Castle
| Museum name and address
|
The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8NP. Tel. (01833) 690606
|
| Collections
|
Regional (Northern England generally, Northumberland , Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria]), UK, World wide, minerals, rocks fossils (Carboniferous plants and rocks minerals and rocks from around the world)
|
| Admission charge
|
Yes
|
| General opening hours
|
all week, all year.
|
| Website
|
http://www.bowesmuseum.org.uk/
|
4. Beamish
| Museum name and address
|
The North of England Open Air Museum, Beamish, Co. Durham, DH9 ORG, Tel. (0191) 3704000
|
| Displays
|
Social history of Coal Mining, reconstructed pre-WW1 coal mine
|
| Collections
|
Photographic records, archive, geological library (relating to lead, coal and ironstone mining in North East England)
|
| Catalogues
|
Access to catalogues of Photographic records, archive, geological library collections by appointment
|
| Sales
|
Geological publications for sale., mining
|
| Admission charge
|
Yes
|
| General opening hours
|
Summer all week, winter closed Mon. and Fri closed over Christmas period.
|
| Website
|
http://www.beamish.org.uk/ www.beamish-museum.co.uk/
|
5. Berwick
| Museum name and address
|
Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Museum and Art Gallery, The Clock Block, Berwick Barracks, Ravensdowne, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 1DQ, TeL (01289 330044 ext. 269).
|
| Collections
|
Local, UK, minerals, rocks, fossils, geological library
|
| Enquiry Service
|
|
| Admission charge
|
Yes
|
| General opening hours
|
Summer, all week; Winter, Wed.–Sun.
|
| Website
|
https://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/berwick-museum-art-gallery/
|
6 Chillingham
| Museum name and address
|
Chillingham Castle, Chillingham, Northumberland, NE66 5NI, Tel. (01668) 215359
|
| Displays
|
Local, (very small, Carboniferous plants)
|
| Temporary exhibitions
|
Ask museum for details
|
| Collections
|
Local, fossils (Carboniferous plants, very small)
|
| Admission charge
|
Yes
|
| General opening hours
|
Easter-30 Sept., Winter by appointment.
|
| Website
|
www.chillingham-castle.com/
|
7. Hartlepool
| Museum name and address
|
Museum of Hartlepool, Jackson Dock, Hartlepool, TS24 0XZ, TeL (01429) 860077.
|
| Collections
|
Regional (Northern England generally, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria), World Wide, (small), minerals, rocks, fossils, geological library
|
| Geological activities
|
Occasional
|
| Admission charge
|
No
|
| General opening hours
|
All week, all year
|
8. Middlesborough
| Museum name and address
|
Dorman Museum, Linthorpe Road, Middlesborough, Cleveland, Tel. (01642) 813781
|
| Displays
|
Local Regional, Northern England [generally Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria], General geology
|
| Temporary Exhibitions
|
ask museum for details
|
| Collections
|
Local, Regional (Cleveland, Northern England [generally Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria]), UK, World Wide, minerals (particular strength), rocks, fossils. Photographic records, Archive, geological library.
|
| Catalogues
|
Unpublished catalogues can be made available for study
|
| Enquiry Service
|
Professional geologist on staff
|
| Geological activities
|
Ask museum for details
|
| Sales
|
Geological publications for sale
|
| Admission charge
|
No
|
| General opening hours
|
All year, Tues–Sun. Study and laboratory facilities available
|
| Website
|
www.dormanmuseum.co.uk/
|
9. Morpeth
| Museum name and address
|
Wallington Hall (National Trust), Cambo, .Near Morpeth, Northumberland, Tel. (01670) 773600
|
| Displays
|
General geology (curiosity collection of rocks, minerals and fossils)
|
| Collections
|
Local, UK (small), minerals, Regional fossils
|
| Catalogues
|
Available to view in building
|
| Admission charge
|
Yes
|
| General opening hours
|
April 1st Oct 31st all week, except Tuesday.
|
| Website
|
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington
|
10. Newcastle
| Museum name and address
|
Hancock Museum, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4PT, Tel. (0191) 2226765
|
| Displays
|
Local, Regional (Northern England [generally Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria]), General geology
|
| Temporary exhibitions
|
Ask museum for details
|
| Collections
|
Local, Regional (Northern England [generally Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria]), UK, World Wide, minerals (particular strength), rocks, fossils (particular strength) (see above), Photographic records, Archive geological library
|
| Catalogues
|
Yes, other collection information can be made available
|
| Enquiry Service
|
Professional geologist on staff
|
| Geological activities
|
Ask museum for details
|
| Sales
|
Geological publications for sale
|
| Admission charge
|
Yes
|
| General opening hours
|
All week, all year (except Sunday mornings).
|
| Website
|
https://greatnorthmuseum.org.uk/
|
11. South Shields
| Museum name and address
|
South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, Ocean Road, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE33 2TA, Tel. (0191) 4568740
|
| Displays
|
Local (geology displays within local history context),
|
| Enquiry Service
|
|
| Geological activities
|
Ask museum for details
|
| Sales
|
Geological publications for sale
|
| Admission charge
|
No
|
| General opening hours
|
All week, all year (except Sunday mornings)
|
| Website
|
https://southshieldsmuseum.org.uk/
|
12. Sunderland
| Museum name and address
|
Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, Burdon Road, Sunderland, SR1 1PP, Tel. (0191) 553 2323
|
| Displays
|
Local, Regional (Cleveland, Northern England (generally Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria])
|
| Temporary exhibitions
|
ask museum for details
|
| Collections
|
Local, Regional (Northern England [generally Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria]), UK, World Wide, minerals (particular strength), rocks, fossils (particular strength) (see above) Photographic records, Archive, geological library
|
|
|
No, but collection information available
|
| Enquiry Service
|
professional geologist on staff
|
| Geological activities
|
ask museum for details
|
| Sales
|
Geological publications for sale
|
| Admission charge
|
No
|
| General opening hours
|
all week, all year (except Sunday mornings)
|
| Website
|
https://sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/sunderland-museum-winter-gardens/
|
13. Weardale
| Museum name and address
|
The Weardale Museum, Ireshopeburn, Weardale, Co. Durham, Tel. (01388) 537417
|
| Displays
|
Local (minerals and fossils, small)
|
| Temporary Exhibitions
|
Ask museum for details
|
| Collections
|
Local, minerals (particular strength), fossils, Photographic records, geological library (small)
|
| Admission charge
|
Yes
|
| General opening hours
|
May–Sept, Wed–Sun August all week afternoons only
|
| Website
|
http://www.weardalemuseum.co.uk/
|
14. Weardale
| Museum name and address
|
Killhope, The North of England Lead Mining Museum, Cowshill, Upper Weardale, Co. Durham, DL13 1AR. Tel. (01388) 537505
|
| Displays
|
Local Regional (North Pennines), restored 19th century lead mining site with water wheel
|
| Temporary Exhibitions
|
Ask museum for details
|
| Collections
|
Regional (North Pennines, collections relating to the industrial history of lead mining)
|
| Enquiry Service
|
|
| Geological activities
|
Ask museum for details
|
| Sales
|
Geological publications for sale (including souvenir specimens)
|
| Admission charge
|
Yes
|
| General opening hours
|
April 1st–Sept. 30th and weekends in October any other time by arrangement
|
| Website
|
http://www.killhope.org.uk/
|
Acknowledgements
Many thanks are due to all the institutions in this guide for providing the above information and particularly to Ken Sedman (Cleveland Geology and Environmental Resources), Tim Pettigrew and Alec Coles (Tyne and Wear Museums), and Andy Newman (University of Newcastle upon Tyne).
[Category:7. Northern England]]
