The 1900s Town at Beamish Open Air Museum is probably the most popular attraction in the vast grounds. It was certainly crowded. The queue for the sweetshop spilled outside onto the pavement. (We did queue up though.)

This old car was in the 1900s Town Garage which is described as a Stables:-

In the same garage there was a very unusual delivery bike. I assume it’s called a Penny-four-farthings:-

The “town” had a small park at the top of which was a War Memorial in the form of a large artillery piece:-

The dedication on the plaque reads, “This gun was placed in Redman Park as a memorial to the men who died in the war to end all wars 1914-1918. Unveiled by Lt Col R R Humphrys. (Hoodge Day MCMLXXXVIII.)” Would that be Hooge Day?

We didn’t seem to take as many photos in the town as I’d have wished. So many of the exhibits were crammed with people.

This was the bakery. Lovely windows. We would have bought something from it but the queues again were huge – even bigger than for the sweetshop.

One of the exhibits at Beamish is an old colliery and a terrace of Miner’s cottages. This photograph of the colliery complex was taken from the ring road round the museum.

A line of old prams at the bottom of a large grassed area. They were waiting to take part in a procession. See below.

Beamish holds special events throughout the year. The day we were there they had a Miners’ Gala parade.

Miner’s Banner, Gala Parade, Beamish. Gypsy caravan behind. Banner reads, “National Union of Mineworkers, Durham Area, Leasington Lodge,” and below, “Health is Strength.”

Video of Miners’ Gala Procession:-

One of the most memory provoking stops we made at Beamish was at the 1940s farm.

Farm Terrace:-

Just along the way is this pillbox made from a boiler and which was actually used by the Home Guard near Durham:-

The Art Deco style “sunburst” gate on the terrace is mirrored at the back entrance:-

Across the road from the farmhouse there was a barn which had been converted into an eatery called British Kitchen. The menu had wartime “delicacies” such as Woolton Pie, which we passed on. I had a Black Market Bacon Stottie as I recall and the good lady a vegetarian pasty. See sample menu (not exactly the one we chose from) here.

Inside the farmhouse there was an Art Deco rug:-

The farmhouse’s interior reminded me of visiting older people’s houses when I was young.

A 1930s mirror:-

And chairs:-

Horse at 1940s Farm, complete with “land girl” (and modern visitors):-

Outhouse with “Do Your Bit” slogan on old machine inside it:-

Another outhouse, with chimney:-

Car with blackout headlamps – and haywain behind:-

A luxuriating pig (destined for the Black Market Bacon?):-

Puffing Billy and train:-

Puffing Billy, old steam locomotive at 1820s wagonway, Beamish:-

Puffing Billy and carriages video:-

Video of Puffing Billy on the move:-

The Steam elephant – in engine shed at 1820s wagonway:-

Thatched Cottage:-

Thatched Cottage and steam from Puffing Billy, Pockersley Hall in background:-

Wooden structure at end of wagonway. Old winding gear?

Church and Pockersley Hall from wagonway:-

Pockersley Hall from approach road:-

Pockersley Hall and garden:-

Weathercock at the tram/bus halt for 1820s wagonway and Pockersley Hall:-

On our trip to Northeast England last year we took the opportunity to visit Beamish Open Air Museum, a place I’d always wanted to see since first I heard about it. It didn’t disappoint. It’s a wonderful nostalgia fest for those of a certain age.

I liked the transport exhibits – which are functional. Beamish occupies a large area. You could walk round it but it would take you a while.

Trams and a bus:-

More trams:-

A Porto tram (not on duty that day):-

Tram/bus stop:-

The weathervane on the stop is tram shaped:-

Railway Locomotive and Carriages:-

Dipwood Halt, A small scale railway halt:-

Turntable at Dipwood Halt:-