Beamish in the frame for ‘world’s largest’ prize

A County Durham heritage attraction is celebrating national recognition after being shortlisted for the “world’s largest” museum prize.

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, is one of five UK finalists for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025. 

Famous for its immersive exhibits that bring the North East’s past to life, Beamish recently completed ‘Remaking Beamish,’ its biggest expansion to date, creating a 1950s town shaped by community memories and adding 31 new exhibits.

In the past year, Beamish has welcomed more than 838,000 visitors last year and won the 2024 national Visitor Welcome Award.

The museum now looks to make more history by winning the Art Fund Museum prize – the world’s largest prize given to a museum – with the winner receiving £120,000 and each finalist receiving £15,000.

Rhiannon Hiles, chief executive of Beamish, said: “It’s an absolute honour to be a finalist for this award. 

“We are overjoyed to be shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025 – this reflects the amazing people who make Beamish, our fantastic staff and volunteers, our communities, partners and supporters, including The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“We have been described as a ‘beating heart of the region’ – we’re proud to bring the North East’s history to life, while also being an active part of today’s communities, including through health and wellbeing, inclusion and learning.

“It feels particularly special as the museum celebrates its 55th anniversary year and the completion of the Remaking Beamish project, the biggest development in our history.”

Chris Loughran, chair of Beamish, added: “As an anchor cultural institution in the region, we are committed to continuing our innovative work alongside our partners, contributing to culture, wellbeing and the economy.”

The other museums shortlisted are Chapter, in Cardiff; Compton Verney, in Warwickshire; Golden Thread Gallery, in Belfast; and Perth Museum, in Perth.

The winning museum will be announced on June 26 at the Museum of Liverpool.

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