The Great North Museum
Attraction Information
The Great North Museum is a museum located in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is a popular visitor attraction and is known for its diverse collection of artifacts and exhibits that span thousands of years of history, science, and culture.
The museum is located in a building that was formerly the Hancock Museum, which was established in 1884. In 2009, the museum underwent a major refurbishment and expansion, and it was reopened as the Great North Museum. The museum’s collection includes artifacts and exhibits on a wide range of topics, including archaeology, natural history, ethnography, geology, and art.
Some of the highlights of the museum’s collection include a full-size T-Rex skeleton, a rare Egyptian mummy, and a planetarium that offers shows on astronomy and space science. The museum also has extensive collections of Roman artifacts and fossils, as well as exhibits on the history and culture of the North East region of England.
Accessibility Information
Does not have general public parking
The nearest public car parking is approximately 300m away on Claremont Road
This car park has dedicated disabled parking.
There are 4 disabled parking spaces.
should these spaces be full call 0191 208 6765 and a staff member will guide you to parking.
The external platform lift on the right side of the building is out of order. Please use the accessible ramp on the left side of the building.
Inside the museum, you’ll find lifts and stairs providing access to all floors. All lifts have voice announcers and Braille indicators.
You’ll find the Great North Museum: Hancock Library on the 2nd floor in the rear part of the building. This also has lift access.
Stairs have raised tactile indicators on the underside of the handrails. Stairs also have contrasting nosings.
Large print orientations maps for the museum are available on request at the Reception Desk.
Large print orientations maps for the museum are available on request at the Reception Desk.
Video in the museum which has spoken narrative is subtitled and has accompanying BSL. Audio points in the Hadrian’s Wall gallery have text versions on the panels.
The Planetarium has wheelchair-user spaces, a hearing loop and we can support neurodiverse visitors by adjusting the environment to suit their needs (e.g doors to be open, raised lighting levels, lowered sound levels.)
You can find images of access around the museum in the Visual Story
This attraction offers a visual story to give you an idea of the attraction prior to your visit.
This attraction has the available items to borrow from the information desk:
- Ear Defenders (adult and child sizes)
- Magnifying Sheets
- Torches
- Coloured overlay reading rulers
- Wheelchair lap trays
- Sensory Bags
This attraction has 4 accessible toilets located in the following areas:
- Opposite Roman Empire Exhibit
- Hancock Cafe
- Welcome Point
- Gift Shop
These toilets feature the following:
- Handrails to the side of the wash basin and toilet
- Wash basin with lever-style tap
- Disposal Facilities
- Transfer space to the side of the toilet
- Emergency Alarm
This attraction has a changing place toilet located in the Clore Learning Suite.
This toilet features the following:
- Fixed height-changing bed
- Shower
- Handrails to the side of the shower, toilet, wash basin
- Shower Chair
- Disposal Facilities
- Privacy Curtain
- Emergency Alarm
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday 10:00AM – 17:00PM
Saturday 10:00AM – 16:00PM
Sunday 11:00AM – 16:00PM
Pricing
Free Entry
Location
Great North Museum
Hancock
Barras Bridge
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4PT