Quaint UK town hiding ‘Disney for history buffs' attraction that's loved by Countryfile star

The Sun

4 hours ago

AN unusual attraction that is a "Disney for history lovers" has been raved about by a Countryfile star.
Matt Baker, currently appearing in Matt Baker's British Isles, has confessed that he's a huge fan of the 'living museum of the North'.
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When Sun Travel asked Matt Baker where he'd recommend anyone to visit on a trip to Durham, he simply answered "Beamish".
He continued: "It's the best open air museum in the world, without question.
"Basically what they do is take down buildings in the North East and put them back up at Beamish, and go around on all old trams, there's old villages, farms - you can even stay there now and have a historic stay over at Beamish.
"It's amazing, it's basically the North East through the ages and you can spend days there."
Beamish is a world famous open air museum in the town of Stanely and the first of its kind to open in the region.
It brings the history of North East England to life. You can have a Georgian experience at Pockerly Old Hall or see how families lived and worked in the years leading up to the First World War in the 1900s.
One of the recent installations was Spain's Field Farm which stood for centuries in Eastgate near Weardale in Durham.
It was then dismantled and transported to the museum, where it was been carefully rebuilt to show 1950s life on the region's upland farms.
In 2024 Beamish opened a new 1950s town, which includes a toy shop, welfare hall and a cinema that had been taken from Ryhope in Sunderland and rebuilt.
There's also a pub, a school, a dentist among its businesses and you can ride on the trams and buses, and explore the railway station too.
Matt Baker Explores the British Isles
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Matt added: "There's loads of exhibitions and shops, you can have coal-fired fish and chips, it's the most brilliant day out."
"It's like Disney World for history buffs - that's the only way I can describe it. You get transported back in time, it's a proper immersive experience."
You can even see Matt on a trip to the living museum if you catch up on one of his previous shows.
He told us: "I did a series called 'Travels with Mum & Dad' and we went all over the North East, so if you are fascinated and want to find out more watch that because we went to Beamish."
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Tickets to the open air museum are unlimited passes so once you've been once, you can visit for the whole year including daytime events.
Adult tickets cost £33, senior and student tickets cost £25, children between 5-16 are £20.
As for other places to explore around his stomping ground, Matt recommended Durham Cathedral and the High Force waterfall in Teesdale.
He also suggested taking a walk in the Durham Dales and strolling along the coastline.
Currently the Countryfile star is on an adventure through the British Isles showing off what the UK has to offer.
He's found beautiful beaches on the Northern Irish coastline and discovered tasty sparkling wine at a Champagne-worthy vineyard in Kent.
Watch the final episode Matt Baker's British Isles on Tuesday 24, at 9pm on More4.
Catch up on all previous episodes on Channel4.com.
This European city has the world's oldest living museum and £2 local beers.
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