Tyne and Wear Visitor Attractions

Along with the attractions listed on this page you may also find places of interest on the Tyne and Wear Properties and Gardens and Nature pages. We suggest that you also visit the pages for the neighbouring counties to see what else there is in the area.

We support ‘Accessible Countryside for Everyone’ in providing a brief guide as to the access / facilities for the sites listed, where we have them.

 

Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum - full-scale reconstructed Roman buildings, including the West Gates and Commanding Officer's house and a soldier's barrack block, witness live excavations and see one of the finest collections of finds from Roman Britain all found in and around Arbeia - disabled toilet, some access but please see their website
arbeiaromanfort.org.uk

 

BALTIC - Centre for Contemporary Art - Gateshead - "Housed in a landmark industrial building on the south bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art is a major international centre for contemporary art" with exhibitions across 4 diverse gallery spaces - exhibitions by established ‘big name’ and emerging artists - Accessible toilets on all floors except level 5, baby changing facilities, adult changing facilities (available on request), Hearing loops are located at the Information Desk, BALTIC Shop, Quay Desk and BALTIC Kitchen - For information in Braille, large print or on audiotape, or to arrange a touch tour or sign language interpreted tour please call prior to visit
www.balticmill.com

 

BALTIC 39 - Newcastle Upon Tyne - publicly accessible venue for contemporary art - no accessibility info found -
www.baltic39.com

 

The Biscuit Factory - The largest independent contemporary commercial art gallery in the UK, with two floors of contemporary arts, crafts and design - café, restaurant, workshops, exhibitions, work for sale, and artists work to commission - All four floors are accessible for wheelchair users via the lift, baby changing -
www.thebiscuitfactory.com

 

Discovery Museum - housed in Blandford House, an old Co-operative Wholesale Society building, permanent displays and temporary exhibitions over three floors focusing on the area's martime, scientific and technological importance, from the Roman times to the early millennium - All lifts have voice announcers and Braille indicators. Induction points, accessible toilets including a "Changing Places" toilet baby changing
discoverymuseum.org.uk

 

Gateshead Millennium Bridge - Gateshead Quays - the world's first pedestrian and cyclist tilting, bridge spanning the River Tyne
www.gateshead.gov.uk/Leisure/...

 

The Glasshouse - International centre for music - St Mary's Square, Gateshead Quays - Home to the Royal Northern Sinfonia and a place for a broad spectrum of music and performance. Its café and bars are open to anyone, anytime but the Brasserie Restaurant is by booking and requires a performance ticket - The Box Office, toilets, performance spaces, cafe, Brasserie and bars are accessible to all. Unisex baby changing facilities are available on every level of the building and there is a Changing Place toilet facility
theglasshouseicm.org

 

The Great North Museum: Hancock a museum of natural history and ancient civilisations, Living Planet gallery, Fossil Stories, Hadrian’s Wall gallery, The Mouse House is especially for Under 5s, Ancient Egyptians, collections of Greek and Etruscan art and archaeology, Natural Northumbria, World Cultures, planetarium shows, Cafe - lifts and stairs providing access to all floors, lifts have voice announcers and Braille indicators, Induction points are fitted throughout the Museum, accessible and family toilets, baby changing
greatnorthmuseum.org.uk

 

Hatton Gallery - contemporary and classical art, from the 14th century to the present day, temporary exhibitions, permanent display of Kurt Schwitters' Merzbarn - Access via a lift or stairs, level access to all public areas of the Gallery, unisex accessible toilet
hattongallery.org.uk

 

Laing Art Gallery - Newcastle upon Tyne - exceptional art collection focuses on British oil paintings, watercolours, ceramics, silver and glassware, cafe, shop - accessible toilets and baby changing facilities, induction loops at the reception desk in the shop area the gallery has a number of tactile artworks, Braille and tactile (touch) maps of the gallery floors
laingartgallery.org.uk

 

Life Science Centre - science activities for all ages from pre-school to adults, hands-on exhibitions including the Experiment Zone, Curiosity Zone, Young Explorers' Zone especially for under 7s, planetarium, films and live events - a fully accessible venue providing access friendly facilities for all visitors, pushchair and wheelchair friendly cafés, Disabled toilet facilities on all floors
www.life.org.uk

 

National Glass Centre - Liberty Way, Sunderland - See glass being made, exhibitions, interactive heritage of glass making exhibition, create your own glass artwork, Brasserie - National Glass Centre is a fully accessible building in all areas, wheelchair hire, standard accessible toilet and "Changing Place" toilet facility and a lift to the lower levels
www.nationalglasscentre.com

 

Newcastle Castle and Black Gate - royal fortress and border stronghold to grim dungeon and teeming slum - exhibits allow visitors to experience what life would have been like for inhabitants in two of North East England's most fascinating historic buildings - While the Black Gate is fully accessible and has an accessible toilet on its first floor, the Castle Keep has many steep stairs and uneven surfaces
www.newcastlecastle.co.uk

 

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art - City Library and Arts Centre, Fawcett Street, Sunderland - Exhibitions, The Drawing Room is a free activity space for family groups and young people - The gallery is fully wheelchair accessible, lift, disabled toilet on the top floor. Baby changing facilities on the Library Floor
www.ngca.co.uk

 

Ocean Beach Pleasure Park - South Shields - Thrill Rides, Kids Rides, Quasar, Laser Maze, Urban Wave, 40+ rides and attractions - Quote form website "Carers passes are issued to assist those people who are unable to sit unsupported on our rides"
www.oceanbeach.co.uk

 

Saltwell Park one of Gateshead’s hidden gems, ornamental and woodland gardens, a boating lake, bowling greens, play areas, a maze, educational centre and of course the stunning Saltwell Towers c1862 Gothic Mansion, tearoom, facilities, regular art exhibits - no accessibility info found
www.gateshead.gov.uk/Leisure/...

 

Shipley Art Gallery - the North East's leading gallery of craft and design, art collections, ceramics, five gallery spaces, showing a range of temporary exhibitions - disabled toilets, baby changing facilities, level access around the ground floor, lower ground floor is accessible via a staircase but can also be reached by wheelchairs around the side of the building
shipleyartgallery.org.uk

 

Seven Stories - The National Centre for Children’s Books - 30 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle Upon Tyne - a national charity, free entry visitor centre and museum in Newcastle upon Tyne that is dedicated to collecting, preserving and celebrating children’s books along with events and exhibitions, there is a Coffee Shop and Bookshop - There is a lift, accessible toilets are available on Levels 6, Baby-changing facilities are available on Levels 2, there is a Changing Place toilet facility
sevenstories.org.uk

 

Souter Lighthouse and The Leas - Whitburn, Sunderland - the first lighthouse in the world designed and built to be powered by electricity, To the north The Leas is a two and a half mile stretch of magnesian limestone cliffs home to nesting Kittiwakes, Fulmar, Cormorants, Shags and Guillemots South of the lighthouse is Whitburn Coastal Park and Nature Reserve - no accessibility info found
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/souter-lighthouse-and-the-leas

 

South Shields Museum and Art Gallery - two floors telling the story of the borough's social, industrial and maritime history from 4,000 years ago to the present day with displays, exhibitions and nationally significant works of art, cafe, shop - The lift has a voice announcer and Braille indicators. All floors have level access, induction points, both accessible toilets have baby changing facilities
southshieldsmuseum.org.uk

 

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens - Burdon Road, Sunderland - Discover the history of the city from its prehistoric past to the present day, displays, collections, hands-on exhibits, media interactive stations and video presentations. Art Gallery features paintings by L S Lowry, in the Winter Gardens, over 2,000 flowers and plants, Koi Carp , tropical plants and astonishing water features. Café, Shop -Disabled access, Baby changing facilities
www.sunderland.gov.uk

 

The Victoria Tunnel a preserved 19th century waggonway under the city from the Town Moor to the Tyne, to transport coal from Spital Tongues (Leazes Main) Colliery to the river and operated between 1842 and the 1860s. The Tunnel was converted in 1939 into an air raid shelter to protect thousands of Newcastle citizens during World War 2 - seven public two-hour Victoria Tunnel Tours each week throughout the year, booking is essential - Short Tunnel Tours last 60 minutes. These tours are partially wheelchair accessible, lighting is available if your group requires it, maximum limit of 3 wheelchairs per tour.
ouseburntrust.org.uk/victoria-tunnel

 

Washington Old Hall - Manor house associated with the family of George Washington, first president of the USA - ground floor presents a home in the 17th-century, on the first floor you will find No. 5 The Old Hall, a recreation of the home of the Bone family. gardens, events, workshops - Mobility toilet on ground floor, Access to lower garden via steps or new garden lift
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/washington-old-hall

 

Wet ‘n’ Wild - North Shields - the North East’s largest indoor water park, 10 exciting thrill rides, a great café, mini water park - we have no accessibility info for this site
www.wetnwild.co.uk