Three Northumberland museums join North East Museums

Three popular Northumberland museums are joining the North East Museums partnership on 1 April 2025 bringing the number of museums and galleries managed by the organisation to twelve. 

Woodhorn Museum, Hexham Old Gaol and Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum will be managed by North East Museums on behalf of Northumberland County Council. 

They join venues managed on behalf of Gateshead Council, Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council, South Tyneside Council and Newcastle University including: Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort, Discovery Museum, Great North Museum: Hancock, Hatton Gallery, the Laing Art Gallery, Segedunum Roman Fort, Shipley Art Gallery, South Shields Museum and Stephenson Steam Railway. 

Keith Merrin, Director of North East Museums, said: “We’ve been working closely with the team at the Northumberland museums and with Northumberland County Council over the last six months on the transition of management arrangements and we’re looking forward to putting it all into action today. 

“Visitors should be assured that they can continue to use their annual passes and should expect the same high-quality experience they’ve always received.” 

Simon Neilson, Executive Director of Place and Regeneration at Northumberland County Council, added: "Our county is steeped in heritage and culture and full of key attractions for both residents and visitors.

“We're delighted to be joining the North East Museums partnership and are confident it will provide an even better offer to our residents, the north east region and our visitors from around the world."

North East Museums attracts almost 800,000 visits a year to its venues, engages over 100,000 children and young people in learning programmes and cares for 1.1million collection items.