Venue Description

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North tells the story of life in North East England in the 1820s, early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s. Beamish Museum provides visitors with an immersive experience bringing history to life. Try delicious freshly-made bread in the Edwardian bakery, take a trip down a real coal mine, hop aboard a tram, discover what life was like on the Home Front during the Second World War and enjoy the community spirit of the 1950s. Say hello to the pit ponies in their stables, admire unforgettable Georgian views and have your portrait taken in the Edwardian photographers’ studio.

Accessibility

Beamish is a large open air museum with many historic buildings, some of which are not always completely accessible to visitors. It is a hands-on museum. Many sounds, smells, tastes and textures can be experienced; and objects, surfaces and textiles handled making for a multi-sensory experience. To create an authentic feel, there are a variety of ground surfaces, some of which are uneven by nature. There are steep slopes in places, and some buildings and exhibits have stepped access.

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: http://www.beamish.org.uk/accessibility/

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: http://www.beamish.org.uk/accessibility/

Awards List

Beamish is delighted to have been honoured with many awards. Recent honours include: TOURISM SUPERSTAR – EMILY HOPE VISITENGLAND 2019 TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY AWARD NORTH EAST BUSINESS AWARDS 2018 & 2019 LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR - SILVER AWARD WINNER NORTH EAST ENGLAND TOURISM AWARDS 2018 LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR - GOLD AWARD WINNER NORTH EAST ENGLAND TOURISM AWARDS 2017, 2016, 2015 & 2014 FAMILY FRIENDLY ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR – FINALIST VISITENGLAND AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2017 LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR - BRONZE AWARD WINNER VISITENGLAND AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2016 BEST TOLD STORY ACCOLADE VISITENGLAND 2017, 2016 & 2015 TOURISM SUPERSTAR – MATTHEW HENDERSON VISITENGLAND 2015 LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM QUALITY BADGE 2015 GOLD ACCOLADE VISIT ENGLAND 2014 NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR NORTH EAST BUSINESS AWARDS 2014 LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR – GOLD AWARD WINNER VISITENGLAND AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2012 SANDFORD AWARD FOR HERITAGE EDUCATION 2011 COACH FRIENDLY STATUS ACCOLADE THE CONFEDERATION OF PASSENGER TRANSPORT UK Other major awards include: DESIGNATED AS AN OUTSTANDING MUSEUM IN 1997 BY THE MUSEUMS & GALLERIES COMMISSION COMMENDATION 1997 CIVIC TRUST AWARDS POCKERLEY MANOR DEVELOPMENT EUROPEAN MUSEUM OF THE YEAR 1987 BRITISH MUSEUM OF THE YEAR 1986

Toilets

There are accessible toilets and baby changing facilities within the following areas: The Entrance Building – Unisex accessible toilets, baby and adult changing facilities 1900s Pit Village - Accessible toilet in Davy's Fried Fish Shop. Accessible toilet and baby changing facilities in the band hall 1900s Colliery Yard - Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities in the lamp cabin 1940s Farm - Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities Fairground - Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities 1900s Town - Unisex accessible toilets in the Masonic Hall. Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities in tram shelter. Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities in the Tea Rooms Pockerley Old Hall - Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities 1820s Pockerley Waggonway - Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities Open Stores - Accessible toilets available 1950s welfare hall - Accessible toilets, baby changing and baby feeding facilities available. Changing Places The 1950s welfare hall features Changing Places facilities. Facilities include: - A wash and dry toilet - Overhead room coverage hoist system - Height adjustable changing bench - Height adjustable basin - Shower - Privacy screen The Changing Places facilities at Beamish have been introduced to go alongside standard accessible toilets, not in place of.

Staff

Around 200 of our staff are Dementia Friends and the museum has signed up to the Autism Charter. During induction, new members of staff are given training on accessibility awareness, this is reinforced at regular intervals. Our volunteer Access Panel, made up from people with a variety of disabilities, meets on a regular basis to advise us on access issues, in both in existing and new exhibits. This panel is lead by our Accessibility Co-ordinator. Our staff undertake disability equality training and seek to provide honest, helpful advice. Some of our staff and volunteers have completed an introduction to Makaton signing

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the museum. If you’re a dog owner visiting Beamish with your four-legged friend: - Please keep your dog on a lead and accompany them at all times. - Dogs are welcome around our open-air museum’s large grounds. Dogs are usually allowed on transport (lower deck, not on seats, at conductor’s discretion) and in the following buildings and areas (however, there may need to be exceptions during particularly busy times): 1820s Waggonway and Great Shed, The 1900s Colliery Yard, including engine shed and lamp cabin (excluding drift mine), Rowley Station, The Sun Inn pub, Entrance building. - Only assistance dogs are allowed into all other buildings, exhibits and catering areas. Please don’t leave your dog unattended at any time. We’d also advise against leaving your dog in your car for even a short period of time. Water bowls for dogs are provided around the museum – please let our staff or volunteers know if a refill is needed. Please pick up after your dog. Dog waste bags are available from our Entrance building, if needed. Dogs aren’t allowed at evening events, eg. Christmas Evenings, Halloween Evenings.

Other assistance dog facilities

Water bowls for dogs are placed in all main areas of the museum. Dog toileting area is available at the picnic area 300 yards from the museum entrance gates. Dog waste bags are available from our Entrance building, if needed.