Beamish Museum tips please! Co.Durham.

[MotherSpider]

Always wanted to visit Beamish Open Air Museum in Co.Durham.
It's a long way from home so will involve staying away the night before and night after, if not longer. I want to get my long-awaited visit right, so asking here for tips from people who know it - what to see, where to eat, how long it will take to get round etc Also any suggestions of where to stay nearby and anything else we shouldn't miss in the area? Live in London and have never been to the NE.

It is a full day visit. Lots to do and plenty to see - it is possible you won't see it all on one visit, so look at the maps and see what takes your fancy most.

We like to take a picnic if its sunny/warm - there is a big green inside the place where it is nice to sit and eat. There is a tea room at the 'town' and a cafe at the entrance too. The tea rooms can get busy.

Thank you Aragog

I second that - it is a whole day, so make sure you get there early.

However, I think you get unlimited entry for a whole year on a one day ticket (it was when we went about 5 years ago) - so you could go on more than 1 day.

Not too far away is the railway museum at Shildon near Bishop Auckland, which is part of the National Railway Museum and is free entry.