
Quaint UK town hiding ‘Disney for history buffs' attraction that's loved by Countryfile star
AN unusual attraction that is a "Disney for history lovers" has been raved about by a Countryfile star.
Matt Baker, currently appearing in
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Beamish is a living museum in the North of England
Credit: Alamy
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There are old-fashioned shops in the recreated town
Credit: Alamy
When Sun Travel asked
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
"It's amazing, it's basically the North East through the ages and you can spend days there."
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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.
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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
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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And there are old-school buses too
Credit: Alamy
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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Matt Baker reveals the place in Durham everyone should visit
Credit: Channel 4
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
He also suggested taking a walk in the Durham Dales and strolling along the coastline.
Currently the Countryfile star is on an adventure
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
This
And this
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There are trams and tractors that you can hop on and off
Credit: Alamy
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