Play Tyne

Play Tyne has now re-opened after a two-month refurbishment, sponsored by Northumbrian Water. Themed around the River Tyne, visitors aged under seven years old can explore the many different ways water is used through the use of imaginative hands-on interactives and activities. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Play Tyne opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 11am – 4pm Sunday: 2 – 4pm

Working Lives

Real stories, dramatic reconstructions and a variety of objects bring to life the experiences of working on Tyneside over the last three hundred years.

Fashion Works

A gallery exploring changes in the fashion industry using reconstructed scenes through the ages. From hats to shoes, the gallery takes visitors along a trendy trail.

Newcastle Story

The history of Newcastle from Roman times to the present day is revealed in a walk-through reconstruction of the streets, homes and communities of the past. The journey includes: Roman Newcastle; the Norman castle that gave the city its name; its Victorian past; two world wars; the depression of the 30s; the arrival of the welfare state in the 40s; the swinging 60s and affluent 80s.

Presented by kind arrangment with the John George Joicey Bequest.

Tyneside Challenge

The region's rich history of scientific invention and industrial activity is explored in a display featuring some of the most interesting products made on Tyneside. These include a model of one of Stephenson's famous locomotives and the revolutionary Armstrong No.1 Gun.

Story of the Tyne

Impressive displays explore how the Tyne became one of the nation's most successful trading rivers and the powerhouse of the British Empire. A unique display of ship models showcases 150 years of shipbuilding, alongside full size boats and stories about how the ecology of the river has changed.

Science Maze

A favourite with children, this exciting gallery features a variety of interactive displays bringing to life a wide range of scientific and engineering artefacts. Among the many exhibits are a telephone exchange, working engines and some of Joseph Swan's historic lightbulbs.

A Soldier's Life

A Soldier's Life explores 200 years of life in the army and includes the regimental collections of the 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars and The Northumberland Hussars. Get your marching orders from a Sargent Major and meet a lifesize horse.

Turbinia

Once the fastest ship in the world, Turbina is one of Discovery Museum's most popular and impressive exhibits. Situated at the heart of the museum she immediately grabs the attention of visitors. Interactive displays and an impressive multi-media wall showing footage relating to this great ship can also be enjoyed.

Turbinia was built in 1894 by Charles Parsons and changed the face of maritime history. It was the first ship to be powered by a steam turbine and, in 1897, was the fastest ship in the world.

The Gallery

The Gallery is a space for the people of Tyneside to create exhibitions about their own experiences of living in the area. The gallery has an ever-changing display of works of art including paintings, photographs, and sculptures created by different community groups.

BFI Mediatheque

The BFI Mediatheque is a digital jukebox of film and TV featuring many of the best, the rarest and the most extraordinary titles from the BFI National Archive.

Choose from over 2000 complete films and TV programmes and watch them free at one of our viewing stations. You can see the full list of titles available here.

BFI Mediatheque is open seven days a week and is free. Visitors can drop in, or book a time slot in person or by calling (0191) 277 2248. Visitors can watch as many titles as they like and around 85% of the content of the BFI Mediatheque is unavailable on DVD or online.