Bowes railway is the only standard-gauge rope hauled railway in the world which is in preservation. The extensive site has workshops, blacksmiths, steam and diesel locomotives and a huge collection of wagons and artefacts from the history of the Durham Coalfield.
The Museum sits on the site of the first Cleveland Ironstone Mine from which industrial Teesside emerged.
Explore and discover this fully operational Victorian watermill on the banks of the beautiful river Till.
A visit to Killhope, is a unique experience. Killhope is a fully restored 19th century lead mine, where you experience for yourself the life and work of the lead mining families of the Pennine dales. Including an award wining guided mine tour.
Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon houses over 70 vehicles in its ‘Collection Building’, for which admission and parking are free. Learn about the fascinating history of the railways and so much more!
The Ryhope Engines Museum, based in the Ryhope Pumping Station is now regarded as one of the finest industrial monuments in the North East. Although the station no longer pumps water, the two huge beam engines are kept in working order and ‘steamed’ periodically for visitors.
Washington ‘F’ Pit’s magnificent Victorian steam engine, engine house and headgear are preserved to mark the town’s coalmining heritage which stretches back over 250 years.
A world away from a traditional mining museum, Woodhorn is well-known for its fun events programme, including family picnic days, car shows and cos-play extravaganza, ‘Invasion’ - it even featured on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
