Visiting with Dogs

Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas of the museum, but there are restrictions on the indoor spaces they can access.

Entry for dogs is free, but please respect the following rules for the safety and enjoyment of all our visitors:

  • Please keep your dog on a short lead, accompanied and under control at all times.
  • Please do not leave your dog unattended.
  • Please do not tether your dog to any building, exhibit or fence.
  • Please pick up after your dog. Dog bags are available from the entrance building if needed.
  • Please respect the access restrictions for dogs.

The museum reserves the right to ask dog owners to leave if these guidelines are not followed, or if staff or volunteers feel that dogs are behaving in a dangerous or threatening manner.

Please note, other animals are not permitted.

Assistance dogs are allowed into all buildings, exhibits and catering areas.

No animals, including dogs, are allowed at evening events, except for assistance dogs.

For the protection of our historic collections, dogs are only permitted in the following indoor exhibit spaces:

 

Dog-friendly indoor exhibit spaces:

Transport

Dogs are usually allowed on transport (lower deck, not on seats, at conductor’s discretion).

1820s Waggonway and great shed

1900s Colliery Yard including engine shed and lamp cabin (excluding drift mine)

Rowley Station

Sun Inn pub

Entrance building

Dog-friendly catering areas:

Selection of biscuits.

Entrance Coffee Shop

Sun Inn pub

Mini gold signage outside brick building bowling pavilion.

1950s bowling pavilion (grab and go only)

Wooden cabin with sign saying 'Sinkers' Bait Cabin'.

Sinkers’ Bait Cabin (grab and go only)

Two figures in Georgian costume.

Drovers Tavern

Water bowls

are provided for dogs around the museum – please let our team know if a refill is needed.

Pick up a treat for your furry four-legged friends at our 1900s Town Stalls or Entrance Gift Shop.

Beamish Handmade Dog Biscuits (Beamish bangers)

Subject to availability. Our new, healthy dog treats are slow baked in small batches to sustain their nutritional goodness and flavour, and have been tested and approved by our own 1940s Farm sheep dogs.

Dog Biscuits

Subject to availability

Dog ice-cream

Subject to availability

Explore more

Things to see

Explore everything Beamish has to offer, from bustling historic towns and working farms to heritage transport, live demonstrations, and hands-on activities.

100 Things to Do at Beamish

Can you complete our list of 101 exciting things to do at Beamish? Experience good old-fashioned family fun, from playing traditional games and spotting items from our collections to sampling tasty treats and taking a ride on our vintage transport.

Beamish Unlimited Pass

Our Beamish Unlimited Pass allows you to visit again and again after paying just once. So if you’re worried that you won’t be able to fit everything into one day, now you can come back as many times as you like for a whole year!

Plan Visit

Find everything you need to know to plan your visit to Beamish Museum, from practical information to exciting inspiration for your trip.

What’s on

Discover what events we have coming soon!

Food & Drink

Beamish offers a range of food and drink options in each time period of the museum.

Access

Beamish is a large open air museum with many historic buildings, some of which are not always completely accessible to visitors.

Dogs

Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas of the museum, but there are restrictions on the indoor spaces they can access.
Costumed staff in front of Georgian accommodation.

Places to Stay

There are numerous places to stay near Beamish, with options that cater to every preference, from charming and cosy retreats to more luxurious getaways.
Three staff members on 1900s Town street

Donate

Beamish is a charity and we rely on income from our ticket sales, catering and retail outlets, Friends and supporters. Your support means so much to us during this difficult time and any donations are gratefully received.

Extreme Weather Policy

Beamish Museum is an open air museum spanning over 350 acres. We aim to be open rain or shine but, as we are an open air museum, that does mean the weather can play a big part in your visit.

Festival of Transport 2026

23rd May – 31st May
Costumed staff member smiling.

About Beamish

Beamish is a world famous open air museum which brings the history of North East England to life at its 1820s Pockerley, 1900s Town, 1900s Pit Village, 1940s Farm, 1950s Town and 1950s Spain’s Field Farm exhibit areas.

Mothering Sunday 2026

15th Mar

Horses in Harness 2026

25th Apr – 26th Apr

Pay once and visit for a whole year FREE of charge, including daytime events so if you’re worried that you won’t be able to fit everything into one day, now you can come back as many times as you like for a whole year!

Buy your Unlimited Pass