Green light for £17m Beamish expansion

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Beamish, the living museum of the north, brings history to life, with the unforgettable sights, sounds, and delicious tastes of the past. GARETH EVANS
Beamish, the living museum of the north, brings history to life, with the unforgettable sights, sounds, and delicious tastes of the past. GARETH EVANS

A County Durham tourist attraction which is a popular draw for coaches has announced its plans to expand have been give the go-ahead. Beamish Museum’s plans to build a 1950s Town, Georgian coaching inn and a replica of a Weardale Farm have been approved by Durham County Council’s (DCC) Planning Committee. It is hoped the £17m expansion will draw in an extra 100,000 visitors to the region and will see the the 350-acre open air museum offer overnight stays.

The 1950s Town plans include a cinema, houses, a café and aged miners’ homes, which will provide a centre for people living with dementia, their families and carers.

The new development will demonstrate a time of huge change for the people of the North East and will ensure Beamish tells the story of a period still in living memory – just as was the case when the living museum was first founded back in the 1970s.

The 1820s expansion will feature a coaching inn, where Beamish’s nationally-significant Georgian collections will be displayed, a windmill that was shipped from Sweden to Blyth and a replica of the home of Joe the Quilter.

Richard Evans, Beamish Museum Director, enthused: “We aim to start construction work at the end of this year – and we hope people will enjoy seeing all the new additions as they are being built. We’ve received initial support for the project with a £10.75m Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

“The decision by DCC was unanimous – and it’s great to see the important economic and social value of Beamish being recognised and supported so clearly.”

For details, call Beamish on 0191 370 4000 or visit www.beamish.org.uk .