Great North Museum: Hancock

Great North Museum: Hancock Newcastle University's award-winning museum of natural history, archaeology and world cultures. It is free admission for everyone. Free entry.
(1359)

The Great North Museum: Hancock opened in May 2009 and incorporates collections from the Hancock Museum, Newcastle University’s Museum of Antiquities and the Shefton Museum. Highlights of the museum include mummies from Ancient Egypt, a planetarium, a life-size replica T. rex dinosaur skeleton, a large-scale, interactive model of Hadrian's Wall, major new displays showing the wonder and diversity

of the animal and plant kingdoms, spectacular objects from the Ancient Greeks and much more! The Museum also holds temporary exhibitions and a range of free events, from children's activities to lectures and evening events.

02/09/2026
20/08/2026
18/08/2026

Are you ready to meet a playful baby elephant, a curious orangutan and a mighty brown bear? 🦧🐻🐘The Wild 2 Life Show is coming to the Great North Museum: Hancock 25–28 August.

This 30-minute interactive performance is inspired by the natural world and perfect for young explorers. Join us after the show for a meet and greet and a photo opportunity with the animals!

£12 per person. Recommended ages 2-10. Performed live by costumed actors.

Ticket link in the comments.

PS. It looks like it's due to rain next week. So, you’ll be very pleased to hear that the show takes place indoors!

14/08/2026

Heard 'I'm bored' too many times? Here's the Great North Museum: Hancock's final weeks of summer programme roundup. 📍Save this post.

FREE – LEGO® Build the Change: Drop-in Mass Build ✅
14, 17 & 18 August, 10.30am - 3pm. Drop in. Ages 6+.

FREE – LEGO® Build the Change: Drop-in Mass Build (relaxed session) ✅
17 August, 3–4pm. Free (booking required). Ages 6+.

FREE – Treasure Tuesdays ✅
18 & 25 August, 10am – 3pm. Drop in.

FREE – Peter Rabbit™: Tales on the Tyne ✅
Daily throughout the summer. Drop in.

FREE – Travelling Through Time: Digital Scavenger Trail ✅
Made by teens for teens. Daily. Drop in. QR code at the entrance.

FREE – Digital Stottie Trail ✅
14–16 August. Drop in. QR code at the T.rex.

TICKETED – Wild 2 Life Show. ✅
A live 30-minute interactive performance, inspired by the natural world. 25–28 August. £12 per person. Ages 2–10.

Check the website for more details (link in comments).

Travel Tip: Up to three children aged 11 and under travel for free on Tyne and Wear Metro with a fare-paying adult!

✍️ It's World Calligraphy Day so we're sharing four ancient texts on display at the Great North Museum: Hancock. Have yo...
12/08/2026

✍️ It's World Calligraphy Day so we're sharing four ancient texts on display at the Great North Museum: Hancock. Have you walked right past them?

1. Egyptian ostracon (inscribed pottery shard) containing an appeal from a workman called Nekhemmut over a number of thefts. 1185–1070 BCE (Ancient Egypt gallery).

2. Replica wooden writing tablet with an invitation to a birthday party from Claudia Severa to Sulpicia Lepidina. 97–103 CE (Treasure exhibition, on loan from Vindolanda).

3. Building inscription from Milecastle 38, confirming the Wall was built on Hadrian's orders (Hadrian's Wall gallery).

4. Replica Rosetta Stone, featuring the same piece of text in three different languages, which helped crack the code on hieroglyphs (Ancient Egypt gallery).

07/08/2026
05/08/2026

The countdown's on! Only 3 weeks until the Wild 2 Life show arrives at the Great North Museum: Hancock 🐻🐘🦧

Meet a playful baby elephant, a curious orangutan and a mighty brown bear this August in a 30-minute interactive performance inspired by the natural world and perfect for young explorers.

Join us after the show for a meet and greet and a photo opportunity.

Performed live by costumed actors.

25–28 August | Booking required | £12 per person | Recommended ages 2-10.

Book via our website (link in the comments).

This looks like so much fun! 🦖🚂
04/08/2026

This looks like so much fun! 🦖🚂

Calling all young explorers and dinosaur fans 📢 Climb aboard a heritage train ride and be entertained by a group of adorable dinky dinos 🦖

🎟️ Tickets from £8, https://shorturl.at/WQZFs
🗓️ Monday 31 August

03/08/2026

NEW to the 2026 summer programme at the Great North Museum: Hancock!

🐘 For families: Wild 2 Life Show. A live 30-minute interactive performance, inspired by the natural world. 25–28 August | 5 shows per day | £12 per person | Ages 2–10.

📱 For teens: A brand-new digital scavenger trail by Podego, designed by teens, for teens. Daily | Free | Ages 11–15.

🏺 For adults and older teens: Experimental Archaeology evening. Hands-on history from 6–8pm. Friday 7 August | £4 plus booking fee | Ages 16+.

Check the website for more details (link in comments).

Address

Barras Bridge
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE24PT

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+441912086765

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Great North Museum: Hancock posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Great North Museum: Hancock:

Shortcuts

Share