Is entry to the Great North Museum Hancock really free?

Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne

Museum in Newcastle upon Tyne

CC BY-SA 1.0 / Chemical Engineer

Just a short walk from the heart of the city, the Great North Museum Hancock is one of the best places to visit in Newcastle upon Tyne if you love museums that effortlessly mix natural history, archaeology and hands-on learning. One minute you are peering at animals and birds from the North East, the next you are standing in front of Ancient Egyptian mummies or tracing the line of Hadrian's Wall across the landscape. It feels family-friendly and relaxed, but with enough depth to keep serious history fans happy too.

The museum is woven into everyday city life thanks to its location beside Newcastle University and close to green spaces like Exhibition Park, so you will see students, families and visitors all sharing the same galleries. It is often visited on walking tours of Newcastle upon Tyne, especially those that focus on Roman Britain and Hadrian's Wall, because its displays help you understand the frontier before you head out to see the real thing at forts and milecastles along the Tyne Valley.

History and Significance of the Great North Museum Hancock
Things to See and Do in the Great North Museum Hancock
How to Get to the Great North Museum Hancock
Practical Tips on Visiting the Great North Museum Hancock
Where to Stay close to the Great North Museum Hancock
Is the Great North Museum Hancock Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Great North Museum Hancock
Nearby Attractions to the Great North Museum Hancock

History and Significance of the Great North Museum Hancock

The Great North Museum Hancock has its roots in the late 19th century, when it was established in 1884 as a museum of natural history and world cultures. Over time, collections from earlier learned societies and institutions were brought together under one roof, creating an eclectic mix of geology, zoology, archaeology and ethnography. That slightly old-fashioned Victorian ambition to collect and classify the world is still visible in some of the displays, but today it is combined with modern interpretation and interactive elements.

As Newcastle upon Tyne grew through industry, trade and shipbuilding, the museum became an important civic space for learning and leisure. Generations of locals have childhood memories of school trips to see the stuffed animals, fossils and Roman artefacts, and that sense of continuity gives the building a special place in the region's cultural life. It is not just a visitor attraction but a resource for schools, researchers and community groups across Tyneside and beyond.

In recent years, major refurbishment and gallery updates have refreshed the experience, most notably in the Hadrian’s Wall gallery. Here you can explore models, interactive screens and a rich collection of artefacts such as wall stones, weapons, coins and everyday objects used by soldiers along the frontier. It is an excellent starting point if you plan to visit forts and museums along the actual Wall, helping you visualise how this World Heritage Site once functioned and why it remains so significant today.

Things to See and Do in the Great North Museum Hancock

One of the joys of the Great North Museum Hancock is the sheer variety of its galleries. You can move from showcases of North East wildlife and geology into rooms that explore world cultures, then on to spaces devoted to the archaeology of the region. The natural history collections are particularly appealing for families, with eye-catching taxidermy, skeletons and specimens that encourage kids to look closely and ask questions.

The headline attraction for many visitors is the Hadrian’s Wall gallery, which does a brilliant job of explaining why, where and how the Wall was built. Models, maps and multimedia displays bring the frontier to life, and you can follow the route of the Wall to discover the forts, milecastles and museums you can still visit today. It is a great way to get your bearings before heading out to places like Wallsend, Chester’s or Housesteads, and it makes the museum feel like a gateway to the wider landscape of Roman Britain in the North.

Do not miss the Ancient Egypt displays, where the museum’s two mummies and associated artefacts give a vivid glimpse into beliefs about life, death and the afterlife. Elsewhere, changing exhibitions might focus on anything from climate and biodiversity to art inspired by science, so it is worth checking what is on during your visit. Throughout the building there are plenty of hands-on elements and kid-friendly activities, making it easy to keep younger visitors engaged while you take in more detailed information panels.

How to Get to the Great North Museum Hancock

If you are arriving from further afield, the nearest major gateway is Newcastle International Airport, which has regular flights from other UK cities and parts of Europe and is linked to the city by the Tyne and Wear Metro in around 25 minutes. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Newcastle upon Tyne on Booking.com. From the airport, you can ride the Metro straight to city-centre stations such as Haymarket or Monument, both of which are within an easy walk of the museum.

By rail, Newcastle Central Station is the main hub on the East Coast Main Line, with direct services from London, Edinburgh, York, Leeds and beyond.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. From the station you can either walk uphill through the city centre to Barras Bridge in about 15-20 minutes, or hop on the Metro for a short ride to Haymarket before walking across the university campus to the museum. Long-distance coaches and regional buses also serve stops within walking distance, making it straightforward to visit without a car.

If you do choose to drive, follow signs into Newcastle city centre and look for public car parks near Barras Bridge, Haymarket or the university quarter, then walk the last few minutes to the museum on foot. Bear in mind that central streets can be busy at peak times and parking charges apply, so it is often more relaxing to park once and explore the area on foot for the rest of the day.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Great North Museum Hancock

Suggested tips: Plan your visit for later in the afternoon on weekdays if you prefer a quieter atmosphere, as mornings in term time can be busy with school groups, and build in time for a break in nearby Exhibition Park afterwards.
Best time to visit: The museum is excellent year-round, but it is especially handy on cooler or rainy days when you want an indoor attraction that still connects you with the wider landscapes and history of the North East.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10:00–17:00, Saturday 10:00–16:00 and Sunday 11:00–16:00;
Official website: https://greatnorthmuseum.org.uk/
How long to spend: Allow 1.5-3 hours depending on how thoroughly you like to read displays, longer if you have children who want to try every interactive and activity station.
Accessibility: The museum offers step-free access and lifts to most areas, but some older sections may have minor limitations; check the access information in advance if you have specific needs.
Facilities: Expect toilets, baby-changing facilities, a café and a shop with books, toys and gifts linked to the collections, making it easy to turn your visit into a relaxed half-day outing.
Photography tip: Look for contrasts between the grand entrance hall and detailed close-ups of exhibits, and if you are heading to Hadrian’s Wall afterwards, grab a few shots of the Wall model to compare with the real thing later.
Guided tours: Keep an eye out for special talks, events or themed activities, which can add extra context to the galleries and are especially good if you are visiting with curious kids or Roman-history enthusiasts.
Nearby food options: There is a café on site, but you are also just a short walk from independent cafés, pubs and eateries around the university, Haymarket and city centre, so it is easy to find a post-museum coffee or meal.

Where to Stay close to the Great North Museum Hancock

Staying near the Great North Museum Hancock puts you in a handy spot between the university quarter and the city centre, with easy access to both the museum and the rest of Newcastle's highlights. A comfortable option within walking distance is Holiday Inn Newcastle Jesmond, which offers modern rooms, on-site parking and good transport links while keeping you close to the museum and Jesmond’s bars and restaurants. Budget-conscious travellers might like Kabannas Newcastle, a friendly hostel-style stay in the city centre that still leaves you within a reasonable stroll of the museum. For something a little more classic and close to the rail station, Royal Station Hotel gives you a traditional, grand hotel experience and straightforward access to Metros and buses up towards Barras Bridge.

Is the Great North Museum Hancock Worth Visiting?

If you are spending time in Newcastle and have any interest in Roman Britain, natural history or simply a well-put-together free museum, the answer is a definite yes. The Great North Museum Hancock manages to be educational without feeling stuffy, with plenty of interactive elements and varied galleries that appeal to adults and children alike. It also works brilliantly as a springboard for exploring Hadrian's Wall and the wider North East, giving you context and inspiration before you head out to forts, milecastles and coastal sites. As a bonus, its central location makes it easy to combine with other city sights, so it slots neatly into almost any Newcastle itinerary.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (4,312)

Great North Museum: Hancock on Barras Bridge is a refurbished Victorian museum with natural history, Hadrian's Wall displays and a planetarium; visitors praise life-sized dinosaurs, an Ancient Egypt section with mummies, hands-on interactive exhibits for families, friendly staff and easy accessibility, note the Hadrian's Wall displays are well laid out but some information panels sit low and lighting can make them hard to read, and allow around 90 minutes to see the Roman and Anglo‑Saxon galleries.

Robert Lipske

2 months ago

"Review:nThis review is specifically about the Hadrian’s Wall section of the museum. It was exactly what I had hoped for before begi ing myexploratory journey through the Hadrian’s Wall area. The displays offer superb descriptions and are very well laid out. There were only a few visitors in that part of the hall; I was able to take my time and really enjoy the exhibits. One small note: many of the information panels are positioned very low, near the base of the displays, and the lighting in that area isn’t always ideal for reading them, so you often have to crouch or kneel to see the text clearly—something that can be a bit challenging after a while. To be thorough, it takes approximately 90 minutes to go through the Roman and Anglo-Saxon areas of the museum. One plus is that, by seeing where along Hadrian’s Wall the items I was most interested in were discovered, I was able to add several more locations to visit on my trip here. Still, it was everything I’d hoped for. Having visited the area some 30 years ago, I’m simply happy to be back again and to see it presented with such care and detail...."

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Mohammed Adil

5 months ago

"I absolutely loved my visit to the Great North Museum in Newcastle! 🦖 From life-sized dinosaurs to fascinating mummies and ancient history exhibits,there’s so much to explore. 🌟 The best part is that it’s free and perfect for a fun, interactive family day out. My kids had a great time with all the hands-on activities and interactive screens. Highly recommended if you’re looking for something exciting and educational to do...."

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Nicola Smith

3 months ago

"This is one of Newcastle's free museums. It was a quiet weekday when I visited. Not been since childhood some 40 years ago, so it was good to goback. Spent a few hours looking at the different aspects of the museum. The Ancient Egypt section was my favourite. Well worth a visit to the Planetarium if you have an interest in the planets, stars and the universe. We watched from Earth to the Universe. Can recommend it...."

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FAQs for Visiting Great North Museum Hancock

Yes, entry is free for everyone, although voluntary donations are encouraged to help support the museum’s exhibitions and education programmes.

Nearby Attractions to the Great North Museum Hancock

Newcastle University campus: Wander through the historic and modern university buildings surrounding the museum, with atmospheric courtyards and public art.
Exhibition Park: Relax in this nearby green space with a lake, play areas and walking paths, perfect for a breather after exploring the galleries.
Newcastle Castle: Step into the city's medieval fortress for panoramic views over the Tyne and a deep dive into Newcastle's early history.
Laing Art Gallery: Visit this city-centre gallery to see an impressive collection of British paintings, decorative arts and changing exhibitions.
Newcastle Quayside and Tyne Bridges: Head downhill to the riverfront for iconic views of the bridges, waterside bars and restaurants, and lively evening atmosphere.

The Great North Museum: Hancock appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Newcastle upon Tyne!

Moira & Andy

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