Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm Village and Bede, South Shields

Museum in South Shields

Jarrow
Jarrow
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Xaphire

Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum is one of those heritage sites that feels genuinely alive. Set beside the ruins of the Wearmouth-Jarrow monastery at St Paul’s in Jarrow, it combines a museum about the Venerable Bede with reconstructed Anglo-Saxon buildings, working-style gardens, and a farm that pulls you straight into the textures of early medieval Northumbria. If you’re looking for one of the things to do in Jarrow that goes beyond a standard gallery visit, this is the place.

What I love is how the experience moves between scholarship and everyday life. You can start with Bede’s world of manuscripts, learning, and monastic routine, then step outside into a recreated village and farmyard where history becomes sensory: smoke-darkened interiors, simple tools, and animals you can actually meet. It also slots neatly into a walking tour of Jarrow, especially if you pair it with St Paul’s Church and a riverside wander.

History and Significance of the Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum

The story begins with the monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, one of early medieval Europe’s most important centres of learning. This was the world of the Venerable Bede, the monk and scholar often called the “Father of English History,” whose writing shaped how later generations understood England’s early past. Jarrow’s monastery was famed for books, scholarship, and the steady rhythm of monastic life until Viking raids in the 9th century disrupted the community and changed the region’s trajectory.

Jarrow Hall’s museum builds on that legacy by placing Bede back into context: not as a distant name on a school syllabus, but as a working scholar in a living religious community. It’s a reminder that the north-east wasn’t a cultural backwater in this period-it was a powerhouse, connected to intellectual networks that stretched across the Christian world.

The reconstructed Anglo-Saxon farm and village add another dimension by widening the lens beyond monasteries. They show how people lived, built, cooked, stored food, and kept animals in the centuries before the Norman Conquest, so you leave with a more complete picture of Northumbria as a whole, not just its elites and saints.

Things to See and Do in the Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum

Start in the Bede Museum to ground your visit in the big story: who Bede was, why his work mattered, and how the monastery functioned as a centre of learning. Look out for archaeological finds linked to the site and the region, which help connect the narrative to real objects rather than just timelines.

Next, head to the reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village and farm buildings. The best way to enjoy this area is to slow down and notice details-how the light falls inside the structures, how spaces are divided, and how practical these buildings feel once you imagine them in daily use. It’s immersive without needing costumes or theatrics, because the setting itself does the work.

Finish on the living-history farm, which also functions as an animal sanctuary with rare domestic breeds. Even if you arrive for Bede, the farm often becomes the unexpected highlight, especially if you visit with kids or anyone who enjoys a more hands-on, outdoorsy museum day.

How to Get to the Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum

The nearest airport is Newcastle International Airport (NCL). For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to South Shields on Booking.com. Durham Tees Valley Airport (MME) can also work depending on routes, though it's typically less convenient for South Tyneside. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to South Shields on Booking.com.

By public transport, the easiest route is usually via the Tyne and Wear Metro to Jarrow station, then a walk or short local connection to the site. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. If you’re arriving by mainline rail, travel to Newcastle Central Station and connect onward by Metro toward Jarrow. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

Buses also run through Jarrow and South Tyneside, and it’s straightforward to plan a short final leg on foot once you’re in the town centre. If you’re driving, you can reach Jarrow easily via the A19 and local routes, and the site is set up with visitor parking for a simple arrival.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum

  • Entrance fee: Adult £9.50; Concession/Child £6.00; Children under 4 free; Carer free (tickets are an annual pass valid for 12 months).
  • Opening hours: Thursday – Sunday: 10:00–16:00.
    Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00–16:00; during school holidays.
  • Official website: https://www.jarrowhall.org.uk/
  • Best time to visit: Choose a weekend or school-holiday day if you want the busiest, most “living history” feel, or a quieter term-time opening day for a calmer, slower-paced visit.
  • How long to spend: Two to three hours gives you enough time for the museum plus the farm and village without rushing.
  • Accessibility: The museum areas are generally manageable, but the outdoor sections involve uneven ground and weather exposure, so plan for slower pacing if needed.
  • Facilities: Expect on-site basics like a café stop and places to pause, but dress for the north-east climate because the outdoor experience is a big part of the visit.

Where to Stay Close to the Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself in central Newcastle for the widest choice of museums, restaurants, and easy Metro connections; if your focus is local heritage in South Tyneside with minimal transit, staying around Jarrow or nearby South Shields keeps travel time short.

A practical, well-connected base in Newcastle is Motel One Newcastle, which makes it easy to hop on the Metro and return to a lively city centre in the evening. For a comfortable, straightforward stay near Newcastle’s main transport hub, Crowne Plaza Newcastle - Stephenson Quarter is ideal if you want quick rail access and simple onward connections. If you’d rather stay closer to South Tyneside’s coastline while still being within easy reach of Jarrow, Little Haven Hotel is a good option for sea views and an easy day-trip rhythm.

Is the Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially because it delivers both ideas and atmosphere. You get the intellectual story of Bede and the monastery, but you also get the grounded, practical world of early medieval life through the reconstructed village and farm, which makes the history stick.

It’s also a strong choice if you want a North East heritage stop that feels different from castles and Roman sites. Jarrow Hall is quieter, more personal, and surprisingly immersive, without demanding a full-day commitment.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This is a strong family visit because it breaks up “reading and looking” with outdoor exploring and animals. Plan your day so kids can move between the museum and the farm regularly, rather than doing everything in one go, and it stays fun for longer.

Bring layers and lean into simple goals-spot a favourite animal, step inside a house, find the monastic ruins-so the experience feels like discovery rather than an educational chore.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the appeal is in the calm, story-rich atmosphere and the feeling of stepping into a different era without crowds. It’s a relaxed kind of cultural day where you can wander, talk, and take your time, especially in the reconstructed village.

Pair it with a riverside walk or a cosy meal back in Newcastle or South Shields afterward, and it becomes an easy, well-balanced day that mixes heritage with local ambience.

Budget Travelers

Jarrow Hall works well on a budget because it’s a half-day experience that feels substantial, and it pairs easily with free nearby walking routes and church visits. If you plan your transport around the Metro and local walking, you can keep costs predictable and low.

Treat it as a “one ticket, big value” day by taking your time: the more you slow down in the village and farm areas, the more it feels like you’ve travelled without leaving South Tyneside.

History Buffs

This is a rewarding site for anyone interested in early medieval England because it’s anchored in a specific person and place rather than vague “Anglo-Saxon” imagery. Bede’s story gives you a clear narrative thread, and the monastic setting adds real historical weight.

The reconstructed buildings are also valuable because they help you think through how spaces functioned-heat, storage, work areas, and daily routine-so you leave with a more practical understanding of the period.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (701)

Jarrow Hall: Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village, and Bede Museum at Church Bank, Jarrow NE32 3DY is a family-friendly museum complex focused on the Anglo-Saxon monastery associated with the scholar Bede, featuring a herb garden, working farm with animals and outdoor space, a replica Saxon hall and play park; visitors praise friendly staff, interactive activities for children, a café and picnic areas, and an annual pass option, while some note occasional shabby areas, limited access to parts of the site, basic toilet facilities, and that the farm can be muddy in wet weather and some museum displays feel dark or could be more interpretive.

Julie
a month ago
"What a little Gem Jarrow Hall is. Great day out with family, interacting with the animals, feeding them and exploring the history of Bede. We’ve beenseveral times now. Don’t just stick to the path to the village, go explore beyond. We can spend a full day there and still have more to see on our next visit. Not expensive, like some ! The pass allows you to enjoy visiting throughout the year at no extra cost. Does have a cafe @Hive but if it’s busy and you do want to sit inside book a table. The church has heaps of history and if you’re lucky you may well see a wedding there. Go and support Jarrow Hall and have a great time creating memories with your family...."
Cliff McMahon-Docherty
a month ago
"Probably not the place to visit on a grey November day, the day after a monumental downpour, but I went and had the place more or less to myself,which is due to close for the winter till February. The Bede museum is very interesting though I would've have liked to see something more interactive or interpretive - or both. I felt I learned a lot about someone I've often heard about but didn't really know except by reputation. That says a lot, that a lay person knows something about so done who lived a thousand years ago, and that his teaching continues to inform us. The museum lacks something to elevate it. It wad also very dark with the lights off. I felt like I'd snuck in after closing and it didn't feel as welcoming as it might. That said, the reception staff were absolutely lovely. The saxon farm obviously wad a quagmire after all the rain but I liked that. It made me feel closer to what saxon life was really like. I'd have liked to have seen a guide or two to tell me more about the buildings. The saxon replica hall was interesting to see but I didn't feel I learned much about it, which is a pity because I felt every piece there had a story to tell. It would also have been interesting to learn about the Old English language used at the time. Would I recommend, absolutely, but check the weather forecast!..."
Lauren Grant
4 months ago
"Great place for kids, there's animals and plenty of outdoor space. Cafe on sight and loads of room for picnics. Play park on sight for kids aswell.You pay once and get an a ual ticket, not expensive at all...."

FAQs for Visiting Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum

Getting There

It’s in Jarrow on Church Bank, beside St Paul’s Church and the historic monastic site. The setting feels surprisingly green and tucked away once you arrive.
Walk out toward the town centre and follow signs toward St Paul’s and Church Bank, keeping an eye out for the riverside and heritage landmarks. It’s an easy walk, but allow a little extra time if you like stopping for photos.
Yes, it’s a straightforward trip using the Metro and a short walk at the Jarrow end. It’s one of the easiest heritage day trips in the region without needing a car.

Tickets & Entry

Your admission covers the museum, reconstructed village areas, and the farm, so it’s designed as a full-site experience rather than separate add-ons. Some special events may be ticketed separately, so it’s worth checking what’s on before you go.
You can often buy on arrival, but booking ahead can be helpful on event days or during school holidays when the site is busier. If you want a specific activity session, advance booking is the safer bet.

Visiting Experience

If you’re rushed, you can do a focused 90-minute visit by prioritising the Bede Museum and a quick loop through the reconstructed village. If you have more time, the farm and outdoor spaces are what turn it into a fuller experience.
Yes, but plan for a more museum-led visit with shorter outdoor loops between showers. Waterproofs make a big difference, because the village and farm are central to the experience.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

It often forms the main heritage anchor for the town because of its link to the monastery and Bede. Even a simple self-guided route naturally circles around St Paul’s and the museum site.
Independent visiting works very well because the site is easy to explore at your own pace. A guided element is most worthwhile if you want deeper context about monastic life, Bede’s scholarship, and the archaeology of the area.

Photography

Yes, especially in the reconstructed village where textures, thatch, and timber details photograph beautifully. The best shots often come when you capture the contrast between the quiet historic setting and the modern town beyond.
Most sites like this allow casual photography, but some indoor displays may have limits or request no flash. If you’re unsure, check signs in the museum galleries before you start shooting.

Accessibility & Facilities

The indoor museum areas are typically the easiest, while outdoor sections can involve uneven surfaces. If mobility is a concern, plan your route so you can enjoy the museum thoroughly and take the outdoor parts at a comfortable pace.
Yes, you can build in pauses between the museum and outdoor areas, and the café stop is useful for resetting mid-visit. It’s a good site for pacing yourself rather than trying to do everything in one continuous loop.

Nearby Attractions to the Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum

  • St Paul’s Church, Jarrow: A historic church on the monastic site, perfect for adding extra context to Bede and early medieval Northumbria.
  • Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend: A well-presented Roman fort museum that complements Jarrow’s early medieval story with an earlier chapter of the region.
  • Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum, South Shields: A partially reconstructed fort that shows the Tyne's strategic importance long before Jarrow's monastic golden age.
  • The Customs House, South Shields: A friendly arts venue with exhibitions and events, ideal if you want an indoor cultural stop nearby.
  • Sandhaven Beach, South Shields: A wide, dune-backed beach for fresh air and a classic North East seaside walk after a museum day.

The Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm Village and Bede appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting South Shields!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

Thursday - Sunday: 10:00-16:00.

Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00-16:00; during school holidays.

Price:

Adult £9.50; Concession/Child £6.00; Children under 4 free; Carer free (tickets are an annual pass valid for 12 months).

Address: Church Bank, Jarrow, South Tyneside, NE32 3DY
South Shields: 4 km
Official Website

Nearby Attractions

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