Explore the Discovery Museum in Newcastle. My 2026 guide includes ticket prices, opening hours, and exhibit details.
When I first walked into Newcastle’s Discovery Museum, what stopped me in my tracks was Turbinia — a 34-metre steamship dominating the entrance hall. This isn’t a model. It’s the actual 1894 vessel that once held the world speed record for ships. The real surprise? Everything here is completely free. No advance booking, no time slots, no hidden charges. Just turn up.
Quick overview
The Discovery Museum is free to enter, with donations welcomed. The museum opens Monday to Friday 10am-4pm, and Saturday to Sunday 11am-4pm. Closed all bank holidays. The museum occupies a Grade II-listed former Co-operative building in central Newcastle. Budget 2-3 hours to see exhibitions covering Tyneside’s industrial heritage, Newcastle’s history from Roman times, and interactive science displays.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free (donations welcome) | Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm | Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JA | Everyone | Not specified |
How much does the Discovery Museum cost?
The museum is completely free. No ticket categories, no pricing tiers, no seasonal variations. Walk in, explore, leave.
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| All visitors | Free | Everyone |
Donations are welcomed. Occasional special exhibitions may charge admission — check the What’s On section. Some school holiday activities carry small fees.
Is the Discovery Museum free to enter?
Yes. Genuinely free with no catches. You don’t need to pre-book slots. Just arrive during opening hours and walk in. The museum is managed by North East Museums on behalf of Newcastle City Council, funded through public money.
What time does the Discovery Museum open?
Monday to Friday: 10am-4pm. Saturday to Sunday: 11am-4pm. Note the later weekend opening. The museum closes on all bank holidays. Turbinia Café: Monday-Friday 10am-3:30pm (last food orders 2:30pm), Saturday-Sunday 11am-3:30pm (last food orders 2:30pm).
Do I need to book Discovery Museum tickets in advance?
No. Walk-ins only — there’s no booking system because there’s no admission charge. The museum doesn’t operate timed entry except during special events. For school groups, contact the learning team ahead, but individual visitors need no advance arrangements.
History
The museum began in 1934 as the Municipal Museum of Science and Industry at Exhibition Park. In 1978, it relocated to Blandford House, the former Co-operative Wholesale Society headquarters completed in 1899. A £13 million redevelopment in 2004 modernised facilities, adding the glass atrium showcasing Turbinia. The ship was transported from Exhibition Park in 1994 to become the centrepiece. The museum attracts approximately 450,000 visitors annually.
What you’ll see inside
Turbinia dominates the entrance hall. Built on Tyneside by Charles Parsons, this steam turbine ship reached 34 knots in 1897. It famously gatecrashed Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Naval Review, outrunning naval destroyers.
Newcastle Story traces the city from Roman times through medieval to modern Newcastle using interactive displays and artefacts.
Made in Tyne & Wear celebrates shipbuilding, engineering, and mining. Models of Tyne-built vessels and Stephenson’s railway engines fill galleries. Joseph Swan’s first incandescent light bulb features prominently.
Science Maze offers hands-on experiments, though some exhibits show wear with broken components.
Destination Tyneside documents migrant communities.
Charge! explores Northern Cavalry history.
The fourth-floor Great Hall features Art Deco ceilings.
What’s included with your ticket?
Everything is free:
- All permanent exhibitions
- Turbinia viewing
- Newcastle Story and Science Maze
- Made in Tyne & Wear galleries
- Temporary exhibitions (usually free)
- Facilities and museum shop
Not included: parking (paid separately), Play Tyne area (£1), some special workshops, food and drinks.
Things to do near the Discovery Museum
Life Science Centre (400m northwest, 5 minutes’ walk) — Interactive science centre with planetarium, live shows, and motion simulators.
Great North Museum: Hancock (1.5km north, 20 minutes’ walk) — Natural history and archaeology with Egyptian collections and T-Rex replica.
Newcastle Castle (600m southeast, 8 minutes’ walk) — Medieval fortress with Castle Keep (1168-1178). Climb for city views at one of the more obvious reasons to visit Newcastle.
Quayside and Millennium Bridge (1km southeast, 12 minutes’ walk) — Riverside area with the iconic tilting bridge. BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art across river (free). Sunday market operates weekly.
St James’ Park Stadium Tour (1.2km northwest, 15 minutes’ walk) — Newcastle United home ground. Tours explore dressing rooms and pitch.
Practical tips
Location: Blandford Square, western edge of Newcastle city centre near St James’ Park stadium.
Getting there: Newcastle Central Station is 8 minutes’ walk. Multiple bus routes stop nearby. St James Metro station is 10 minutes’ walk. Up to three children aged 11 and under travel free on Metro with fare-paying adults. Four bike racks available.
Parking: Use Grainger Town multi-storey on Waterloo Street (3 minutes’ walk). Two Blue Badge spaces in Blandford Square car park. Avoid QR codes in car parks — they’re scams.
Time needed: Budget 2-3 hours. Families often spend 3-4 hours, particularly using Science Maze.
Crowds: Weekday mornings outside school holidays are quietest. School groups visit Tuesday-Thursday mornings during term time.
Photography: Allowed throughout. Turbinia photographs well from upper-floor balconies.
Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible with three lifts serving all floors. Voice announcers and Braille indicators. Standard accessible toilets on ground, second, fourth floors. Changing Places toilet on first floor.
With children: Excellent family destination. Science Maze engages children extensively. Some broken interactive exhibits disappoint children.
Food: Turbinia Café on second floor serves light bites and children’s lunchboxes. Valid bus tickets get 10% off (selected lines, from 19 July 2025).
Broken exhibits: Multiple visitors mention broken Science Maze components with missing parts. Museum appears slow to repair these.
FAQs
Is the museum really completely free?
Yes. No hidden charges for core exhibitions. Special temporary exhibitions occasionally charge — check the website.
Can I bring a pushchair?
Yes. Lifts serve all floors. Buggy park on ground floor (at your own risk, unsupervised).
Are dogs allowed?
No, except guide and assistance dogs.
How long does Turbinia take to see?
Viewing the ship takes 10-15 minutes. Reading all displays adds another 15-20 minutes.
Can I visit Tyne & Wear Archives?
Yes, but searchroom requires booking and operates limited hours (Wednesday 1:15-4pm, Thursday-Friday 10am-12pm and 1:15-4pm).
What’s the best time to visit?
Weekday mornings outside school holidays. Avoid Tuesday-Thursday mornings during term time when school groups dominate.
Is this suitable for teenagers?
Mixed. History enthusiasts appreciate collections. Those seeking modern interactive technology may find Science Maze dated.
More North-East England travel
Other North-East England travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A practical guide to visiting Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle.
- How to see High Force – England’s most powerful waterfall.
- Why visit the Low Force waterfall in Upper Teesdale?
- A practical guide to Corbridge Roman Town.
- What to expect when visiting Chesters Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall.
