This is an advert for June 2022. Any edits/shares beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. Please always check with venues direct for the most up-to-date information when making plans and before setting off.
- Bees, Bees, Hark to Your Bees at Woodhorn Museum
- Work, Rest and Play at Woodhorn Museum
- Thou shalt have a fishie, When the boat comes in at Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum
- Over Familiars at Hexham Old Gaol
- Of the Sea and Of the Sky at Berwick Museum & Art Gallery
What is 'A Northumberland Menagerie'?
A Northumberland Menagerie is a series of exhibitions taking place across Museums Northumberland in 2022 (ends 30 October) by artist Bethan Maddocks.
The exhibitions are based around Northumberland's animals - past, present, real and imagined. From Magical Hares and Northumberland Pit Ponies to local Bees, Birds and Fish.
A diverse range of subjects are covered and I have found the exhibitions to be super interesting and they have allowed me to learn more about our region's history from a different point of view.
11 Reasons to Visit 'A Northumberland Menagerie' in 2022
1 - Learn about the Seaton Sluice Witch
Part of the exhibition at Hexham Old Gaol shares the story of the Seaton Sluice Witch. I won't share the whole story here as you should go and read it for yourself but in a nutshell, Lord Delaval captured a woman who was acting suspiciously, she was put to trial and then something unexpected happened.
You can read the whole story at Hexham Old Gaol as well as a similar tale of the Acklington Hare and then view the art installation based on the tales afterwards. These spinning plates will all make sense once you've read the story.
2 - Admire the Beautiful Papercuts
A Northumberland Menagerie features a lot of intricate papercuts. They are simply stunning. My favourite was from 'Thou shalt have a fishy, When the boat comes in' at Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum.
I'm sure I won't be alone in this but I have strong memories of my grandma singing this song to us when we were younger and it was so lovely to have this memory brought to life.
The lyrics and fish from the traditional folk tale cover the room and this part of the exhibition focuses on Northumberland's fishing traditions and how they are linked to music.
I asked my own children if they knew this song and sadly, they didn't. This made me sad to think that traditional songs like this may be dying out and I'm going to make more of a conscious effort to sing them more around the house which I'm sure will delight my family.
I'd also like to mention the papercuts as part of the exhibition at Hexham Old Gaol. You take a glass lift down to the dungeon and are surrounded by them and their shadows. The animals will make sense once you read the folk tales in the exhibition itself.
3 - Bring the Dog
Pet dogs on leads are welcome in some of the exhibitions. They're allowed inside at Berwick Museum and Art Gallery and Hexham Old Gaol and in the grounds and outdoor seating area of the lovely cafe at Woodhorn. Pet dogs are not permitted inside Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum.
If you're looking for dog-friendly days out, I highly recommend a Museums Northumberland annual pass. There aren't many attractions in the North East where dogs are welcome inside and I love that Fozzy has been able to join us at some of these exhibitions.
I have to give a special shout out to the staff/volunteers at Woodhorn. We have visited quite a lot with dogs over the past few years for a walk around the grounds/trip to the cafe while the kids play in the park and have always found the staff to be so welcoming whenever we've visited with them.
If you're looking for dog-friendly days out, I highly recommend a Museums Northumberland annual pass. There aren't many attractions in the North East where dogs are welcome inside and I love that Fozzy has been able to join us at some of these exhibitions.
I have to give a special shout out to the staff/volunteers at Woodhorn. We have visited quite a lot with dogs over the past few years for a walk around the grounds/trip to the cafe while the kids play in the park and have always found the staff to be so welcoming whenever we've visited with them.
4 - Under 16s Go Free
Personally, I do think A Northumberland Menagerie is best suited to adults and families with children aged 7+ and teens who can read. However that's not to say you shouldn't visit with younger kids.
Two of our writers have visited parts of the exhibition with children as young as one and although they may not have fully grasped the concepts, they still enjoyed a toddle around the museum.
Two of our writers have visited parts of the exhibition with children as young as one and although they may not have fully grasped the concepts, they still enjoyed a toddle around the museum.
Many parts of A Northumberland Menagerie are sensory experiences with bright colours, sounds and scents which younger children will have fun with.
Beyond the exhibitions, Museums Northumberland are fantastic for children of all ages. They have engaging and hands on/ interactive permanent exhibitions and each museum has it's own Museum Trolley packed with toys and activities relating to the museum for little ones.
Kids won't want to miss the Dragon Tunnel and silly mirrors at Berwick, the Pit Yard playground at Woodhorn and the interactive crime and the dress up area and interactive crime and punishment quiz at Hexham Old Gaol.
5 - Discover Somewhere New
Despite being a self-proclaimed expert in North East attractions, shockingly, I had not visited Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum or Hexham Old Gaol until this exhibition.
They had been on my list of places to visit for ages but I'd just never got around to it. A Northumberland Menagerie is a good reason to finally make a plan and visit these places. I promise, you'll leave wishing you'd visited sooner.
Similarly, we only visited Berwick Museum & Art Gallery for the first time in 2021 and it's such a brilliant place. Whenever I share photos or info from the museum (like the dragon tunnel above), I always receive comments from people who just didn't realise it was there. 2022 is the year you must make a plan to visit!
They had been on my list of places to visit for ages but I'd just never got around to it. A Northumberland Menagerie is a good reason to finally make a plan and visit these places. I promise, you'll leave wishing you'd visited sooner.
Similarly, we only visited Berwick Museum & Art Gallery for the first time in 2021 and it's such a brilliant place. Whenever I share photos or info from the museum (like the dragon tunnel above), I always receive comments from people who just didn't realise it was there. 2022 is the year you must make a plan to visit!
6 - Relax in the Shadows at Berwick Museum
This section of A Northumberland Menagerie at Berwick Museum was our writer Bethanie's favourite. They describe it as a sensory treat in a darkened room where the birds and animals move around you.
There is seating and beanbags where you can sit and relax/lose yourself in the shadows and little ones will enjoy chasing and trying to catch them.
There is seating and beanbags where you can sit and relax/lose yourself in the shadows and little ones will enjoy chasing and trying to catch them.
'Bees, Bees, Hark Your Bees' is part of A Northumberland Menagerie at Woodhorn. This part of the exhibition draws parallels between worker bees and the miners who worked in the pits here.
Visitors are invited to join in with the old tradition of telling bees important news so that they'll continue to produce honey. You can read some of the other stories too and they're actually pretty moving.
I definitely recommend taking some time out to immerse yourself in the good news of others and love that this exhibition encourages us to do this.
8 - See Northumberland's History from a Different Perspective
This series of exhibitions really shines a light on Northumberland's history but from a different perspective. I really enjoyed reading the folk tale of the Acklington Hare (I was actually rooting for them too) and thinking about the links between women, witchcraft and their place in society.
There are plenty of thought provoking points and A Northumberland Menagerie will get you thinking about everything from migration in our region and our local pit ponies to the decline of our fishing industry (and folk music??) and how humans have impacted the natural environment and ecology of our region.
There are plenty of thought provoking points and A Northumberland Menagerie will get you thinking about everything from migration in our region and our local pit ponies to the decline of our fishing industry (and folk music??) and how humans have impacted the natural environment and ecology of our region.
'Work, Rest & Play' at Woodhorn celebrates the life of Pit Ponies (including the last pony to work at Woodhorn - Flax). It gives an insight into the different aspects of a pony's life and is really interesting.
10 - Join in with the Fish Hunt at Berwick Museum
Various trails run throughout Berwick Museum and on the day of our visit, this was themed around a fish hunt which linked in nicely to the exhibition. Several fish have escaped from their basket and it's your job to find them around the museum.
11- Take and Make
I always feel like Museums Northumberland go the extra mile and one way they do this is with their themed 'Take & Make' craft packs. There are four to collect around the museums and they contain all the materials you need to create a simple craft at home.
These crafts are based on the exhibition and a brilliant way to extend your learning once you're at home. I love that they're free too.
You will find the free craft packs on a stand in the museum. If you don't spot them, simply ask a member of staff and they'll point you in the right direction.
These crafts are based on the exhibition and a brilliant way to extend your learning once you're at home. I love that they're free too.
You will find the free craft packs on a stand in the museum. If you don't spot them, simply ask a member of staff and they'll point you in the right direction.
I absolutely loved visiting these exhibitions and it is a low-cost activity I'd definitely recommend to others this year, especially if you're looking for an alternative date day, something to do that's dog friendly, somewhere to save for a rainy day or somewhere to take kids who love animals / have an interest in local history.
Visiting Museums Northumberland Sites
- You can purchase a site-wide annual pass which covers unlimited visits to Berwick Museum & Art Gallery, Woodhorn Museum and Hexham Old Gaol for £16 per adult (U16s go free) for one year from your first visit. You can purchase & check t&cs online here.
- You do not need to book a visit to any Museums Northumberland sites in advance - simply turn up. If you don't already have an annual pass, you can purchase one on arrival.
- Woodhorn Museum offers free on-site parking and is a 15 minute walk from Ashington Bus Station. There is a lovely cafe, changing places toilet, the outdoor areas and outbuildings are dog friendly, a fantastic museum focusing on our mining heritage and a Pit themed playground with sensory areas.
If you'd just like to visit Woodhorn and don't wish to purchase a site wide annual pass, entry is £6-£7 per adult for unlimited visits across the year (a few exclusions apply). This includes admission to the exhibition. Under 16s go free.
Check opening hours and accessibility information for Woodhorn Museum here. - Berwick Museum & Art Gallery is 0.5 miles from Berwick Train Station and 'The Parade' car park is a 2 minute walk away. There is a fun and interactive museum to explore, accessible toilet and dogs are welcome in all areas of the museum.
If you'd just like to visit Berwick Museum & Art Gallery and don't wish to purchase a site wide annual pass, entry is £4-£5 per adult for unlimited visits across the year (a few exclusions apply). This includes admission to the exhibition. Under 16s go free. If you wish to make a day of it, you can find more things to do with kids in Berwick here.
Check opening hours and accessibility information for Berwick Museum & Art Gallery here. - Hexham Old Gaol is located in Hexham Town Centre and within 0.5 miles of Hexham Train and Bus Stations. Parking is available at Wentworth Car Park. There are limited facilities at Hexham Old Gaol including no toilets (staff will be able to direct you to a nearby public toilet). Dogs are welcome in all areas of the museum.
If you'd just like to visit Hexham Old Gaol and don't wish to purchase a site wide annual pass, entry is £4-£5 per adult for unlimited visits across the year (a few exclusions apply). This includes admission to the exhibition. Under 16s go free. If you wish to make a day of it, you can find more things to do with kids in Hexham here.
Check opening hours and accessibility information for Hexham Old Gaol here. - Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum is located in Morpeth Town Centre within 0.5 miles of Morpeth Train and Bus Stations. Parking is available in the town. Pet dogs are not permitted in the museum.
Entry is to Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum is free. You can find more ideas for things to do in Morpeth Town here if you wish to make a day of it.
Check opening hours and accessibility information for Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum here.
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