Beamish Open Air Museum

1128 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

5/5

Review type

Things to do

Location

Date of travel

August, 2018

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

On your own

Reasons for trip

The Home Farm dates back to the C18th, when it was part of the estate of Beamish Hall. In the C19th it was rebuilt as a model farm incorporating a horse mill and a steam-powered threshing mill. The farm is laid out on either side of a public road with the farm house and farm buildings on one side. On the other are a pair of cottages with an outside two seater earth closet (netty), the bull field, duck pond and large shed.

Until recently, the Home Farm depicted farming in Victorian Times. In 2015, it was ‘modernised’ and brought into the 1940s, presumably as a move to cash in on the school curriculum and WW2. The only real difference seems to be electricity and an Aga which supplemented the coal fired range. It now depicts life on the Home Front during the Second World War. Petrol was rationed, so a horse drawn trap was used rather than a car. Horses were still used around the farm, although tractors were beginning to appear.

The home farm is surrounded by typical farm buildings (reviewed separately). Two of the original farm worker’s cottages (separate review) have been converted to billet Land Army workers and a family of evacuees.

The Home Farm is a long low building, typical of so many farms seen around the Durham Dales. It has an attached stable and a dove cote on the wall. Only the ground floor is open as the first floor is private and lived in by the tenant farmer.

Inside, a large kitchen living room stretches nearly the length of the farm house. At one end is the coal fired range left over from the Victorian Farm. Horse brasses hang on either side and above is a display shelf It is surrounded by a tall, high backed wood settle, rocking horse and comfortable arm chairs. The stone slab floor is covered with linoleum for added warmth. The rest of the room contains a long table with bench seating, where the family and workers would have their meals.

This half of the room has a piano, sewing machine, radio and on one of the walls is a Welsh dresser dispalying china.

There are just two small light bulbs giving light. With the door open, there was a cooling breeze and the room was pleasantly cool, even with the fire burning and outside temperatures in the mid 20˚s.

Next to the kitchen was a small office used by the farmer but which also functioned as the local Home Guard office.

At the far side of this was the pantry, with rabbits hanging from the ceiling and jars of preserves on the shelves. A screen on the door made it difficult to make out details.

Off the kitchen is a doorway (locked) with steps leading down to the cellar. At the back of the house is the scullery with a two door aga and drying rack above.

Outside the back door is a massive stone cheese press, typical of those used in Tynedale.

The back of the house has been extended at some point. There is a small paved drying yard. House leeks grow on the stone slab roof.

This is one of a series of “reviews”:https://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/travel-product/attraction/141741-beamish-open-air-museum I have written about Beamish

A full account with all my pictures can be read “here.”:http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/presocialhistory/socialhistory/social/folkmuseums/beamish/index.html

ESW

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.