Discovery Museum

16/10/2026

The battle-scarred Trafalgar Flag flown on Newcastle-born Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood's ship HMS Royal Sovereign is now on display for two weeks. It's then going into storage while we build a new permanent display for summer 2027. 🇬🇧

📅 From Saturday 17 October - Sunday 1 November
🆓 It's free, you don't have to book
🎫 We're open every day: weekdays 10am - 4pm weekends 11am - 4pm.

The Battle of Trafalgar was a pivotal naval battle led by Vice-Admiral Nelson where the British Royal Navy defeated Napoleon Bonaparte’s combined French and Spanish fleets, permanently halting his plans to invade Britain. When Vice-Admiral Nelson fell in battle, Vice-Admiral Collingwood took over leadership and led the British fleet to victory.

Crewed by mostly men of the North East dubbed the 'Tars of the Tyne', HMS Royal Sovereign led the battle charge - and this flag, that flew on the ship, was hand stitched on the way to battle by those very men.

28/09/2026

19/09/2026

Sign up to our mailing list before 20 September and you’ll get 20% off selected Christmas events 🎁
Find it at: https://shorturl.at/Y44bn

18/09/2026

Discovery Nights tickets are £10 - bargain! Book now and do something different with your Friday night. Find the full event line-up on our website.

📍 Discovery Museum
📅 Friday 25 September 6-9pm
🎟️ Book at the link in the comments below.

17/09/2026

We love it when you get to see the North East region on BBC national TV - even better when we get to shout about how amazing our regional heritage is.

The team from Antiques Road Trip featured Discovery Museum and Tyne & Wear Archives in their latest series 33 episode 3 - 'An Illuminating Excursion'. Tom who heads up our learning team shared the story of Joseph Swan and how Mosley Street in Newcastle was the first street in the world to be lit by electric light.

You can catch it on BBC iPlayer now.

Newcastle City Council North East Mayoral Strategic Authority Get Into Newcastle : Visit Newcastle City Centre, NE1 Newcastle City Guides

11/09/2026

It's another exciting weekend for our amazing region - we're cheering all participants who are taking part in the Great North Run weekend. 🏃

This image from the collection shows what runners received for the 25th run in 2005 - can't wait to see what this year's goody bags will bring.

Enjoy the weekend, wherever you are and however you take part.

09/09/2026

Fancy a night out just for adults at the museum after hours with a bar? And loads of interesting taster activities you can dip in and out of? *Discovery Nights* is a lovely night out with pals you've not seen for ages, siblings, partners, mums, dads, colleagues - everyone!

According to people at the last *Discovery Nights* event they loved it because

no kids
fantastic idea
wander solo
something different
brought out the child in me
doesn't involve pubs
talk all night
do something interesting

All activites: bar | food | lace making | Japanese calligraphy & origami | Victorian soutache | gelli printmaking | musical bingo | sustainable gift wrapping | archive showcase | live folk music

📅 Friday 25 September, 6-9pm
🎟️ £10 + booking fee - find the link in the comments or on our website
🔞Over 18s only

04/09/2026

Ever wondered what it is like behind the scenes in the mysterious and fascinating Tyne & Wear Archives, based in this museum?

Discover the latest acquisitions and get to explore the secrets of the archive store in this peek at unseen materials and a tour of the highlights.

Booking essential - link in comments. Tickets are £10. Places are very limited.

What's New in the Archives
📍 Discovery Museum/Tyne & Wear Archives
📅 10 September, 12 November, 14 January and 11 March 2027
🕥 10.30am - 12.30pm

The archives hold material from the areas Newcastle City Council Sunderland, UK North Tyneside Council Gateshead Council South Tyneside Council .

03/09/2026

You did it! Thank you. You donated (with match funding thanks to the Sir James Knott Trust) an incredible £24,948 - including Gift Aid - to go towards the new permanent display featuring the Union Flag flown at the Battle of Trafalgar, and a wider display about Lord Collingwood.

The remaining funding will be secured through grants.

📣 The Trafalgar Flag will go on a temporary display in the Turbinia Atrium from 17 October - 1 November, ensuring it's out for all to see on Trafalgar Day, 21 October.