Discovery Museum, Science museum in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
The Discovery Museum sits in Blandford House, a former Co-operative Wholesale Society building with four floors of exhibitions exploring science and local heritage. The galleries feature hands-on displays, historical equipment, and stories connected to the Newcastle region.
The institution opened in 1934 as the Municipal Museum of Science and Industry, becoming the first science museum outside London. This pioneering approach established a new model for regional science education and public engagement.
The museum's permanent gallery shares stories of people who made their home in the Newcastle region across many generations. The displays show how different communities shaped the way the city developed and how they are remembered today.
The entrance is easily accessible with designated parking and bike racks at the building. The location sits within walking distance of Central Station, making it straightforward to reach by public transport.
At the heart of the exhibitions stands Turbinia, a 34-meter vessel from 1894 that introduced the first steam turbine propulsion system for ships. The craft set multiple speed records on water and stands as a testament to the industrial innovation of that era.
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Inception: 1934
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Operator: TW Museums
Part of: North East Museums
Address: Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JA
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00-16:00; Saturday, Sunday 11:00-16:00
Phone: +441912326789
Website: https://discoverymuseum.org.uk
GPS coordinates: 54.96925,-1.62481
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04
Newcastle upon Tyne and its neighbor Gateshead form a lively urban area in the northeast of England, where industrial history meets contemporary creation. The city retains traces of its medieval past with Castle Keep, a 12th-century fortress, while Grey's Monument reflects 19th-century political reforms. The Victoria Tunnel showcases the period when Newcastle was a major coal industry hub. For culture enthusiasts, the Great North Museum houses archaeological and natural history collections, the Theatre Royal has offered various performances since 1837, and BALTIC provides a space for contemporary art in an old grain mill. The two banks of the Tyne River offer contrasting experiences. In Newcastle, St James' Park has hosted local football matches for over a century, and Fenwick department store continues a 140-year-old shopping tradition. across the river in Gateshead, the Sage Gateshead offers musical programming in a modern building from 2004, and the Angel of the North, a large steel sculpture visible from the highway, has become a recognizable landmark of the region. This destination combines industrial heritage, Georgian architecture, and recent cultural projects.
Turbinia
23 m
Centre for Life
334 m
St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne
308 m
Hadrian's Tower
286 m
Tyne Theatre and Opera House
283 m
Morden Tower
342 m
Tyne and Wear Archives Service
31 m
Former Co-operative Wholesale Society Printing Works
323 m
Blandford House
31 m
Alfred Wilson House
225 m
Grainger Memorial Fountain
232 m
Former Market Keeper's House
297 m
200 And 202, Westgate Road
228 m
11-33, Summerhill Street
326 m
26-36, Clayton Street West
304 m
The Coach House
104 m
Barclays Bank
283 m
1 Neville Street
336 m
190, Westgate Road
225 m
St Pauls Church Of England School (North Part)
282 m
Railings And Walls To South And East Of Hospital Of St Mary The Virgin Almshouses
297 m
1-10, Winchester Terrace
298 m
Hospital Of St Mary The Virgin Almshouses
338 m
236, Westgate Road
276 m
178, Westgate Road
231 m
Steps And Railings To Right Of Number 2
190 m
260, Westgate Road
335 m
St Anne's Convent And Walls Attached
213 mReviews
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