Railways, Maritime & Industrial Heritage

Beamish Museum

Step into the past at Beamish Museum to discover life in North East England in Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian times. Ride on a replica Georgian steam train at Pockerley Waggonway, explore the Edwardian railway station, complete with goods yard and signal box, go underground at a real drift mine and see the magnificent steam winding engine in action.  


Hartlepool Maritime Experience - HMS Trincomalee

Set a course for Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience and voyage back in time to the sights and sounds of an 18^th century seaport, to the times of Nelson and Napoleon. 

Centre stage is the remarkable HMS Trincomalee which was built in India in 1817 and lovingly restored in Hartlepool. She is one of the most important historic ships in the world today and is poart of the Core Collection of the National Register of Historic Vessels in the UK. She's also great fun to explore...just mind your head on the low beams!

Explore the quayside with its realistic period shops and house displays. Visit the Admiral, the Gunsmith, the Swordsmith and the Chandlers which was the supermarket of its day where you could buy just about anything.

A must is our Fighting Ships audio-visual tour of a warship. Allow the young powder monkey Jim Henshaw to guide you between decks where you will learn all about how hard life was for men and boys on board. Witness the surgeon at work, a flogging of a sailor who dared step out of line and finally an explosive battle at sea. Will our ship be the victor or succumb to the cannons of the enemy? Come and 'sea' for yourself!

Theres much more to Hartlepool's Maritime Museum. Visit our website for more information. However long you stay in Hartlepool, one hour or all day, we can suggest an itinerary for your group. Don't just learn history, LIVE IT!

Locomotion NRM, Shildon

Locomotion displays over 70 vehicles from the National Collection and explores the history of railways and Shildon, as one of the world's first railway towns. Locomotion offers passenger steam rides event days and over 40 events each year. Casfe, picnic area and toilet facilities are avilable. Free admission and free coach parking!