Museum Beamish scoops top national award

A North East visitor attraction has secured a national accolade.

Beamish has been crowned Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025.

The County Durham tourist hotspot beat four rival attractions to the award and a £120,000 top prize.

Judges were impressed by the site’s Remaking Beamish project, which included the recreation of a 1950s town and the opening of aged miners’ homes.

Rhiannon Hiles, chief executive at the open air museum – which is based near Chester-le-Street, and uses exhibits and costumed staff to highlight the North East’s Georgian, Edwardian, 1940s and 1950s past – said: “To receive such an award is a real honour.

“It is credit to the amazing people who make Beamish such a special place.

“Thank you to our fantastic staff and volunteers, and to our communities, visitors, supporters and partners.”

Beamish’s fellow award finalists were Cardiff’s Chapter; Compton Verney, in Warwickshire; Golden Thread Gallery, in Belfast; and Perth Museum.

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