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.

The museum exhibits are mostly indoors, but your visit will involve being outdoors when travelling around the museum. We suggest that you monitor the weather forecast carefully before your visit, wrap up warm and wear suitable footwear (stilettos and flip-flops are not advised).

What happens in the event of extreme weather?

Very occasionally, extreme weather such as high winds or heavy snow may mean we have to close parts of the site or, in rare cases, close the museum completely to keep everyone safe.

In the unlikely event that the museum decides to close due to extreme weather, the museum will endeavour to rebook your event (if applicable and subject to availability) or we will issue you with a refund. Refunds for event tickets (evening events, cinema events and grotto visits) will be issued automatically. Beamish Museum reserves the right to close parts of/the whole museum at short notice if the weather conditions deteriorate and present a health and safety concern. The safety of our staff, volunteers and our visitors will always be our number one priority. Please note, Beamish Museum is not responsible for any additional costs incurred or associated with your booking.

Unless the museum decides to cancel an event or close the museum due to extreme weather conditions, all tickets will remain valid for the date they are purchased. Come rain, hail or shine, we promise to deliver our famous North Eastern welcome and will always do our best to make sure that your visit is enjoyable – whatever the weather may throw at us!

If you choose not to visit the museum due to the weather, no refunds will be issued, and tickets cannot be transferred to an alternative date. Please see our full terms and conditions for further information.

Wherever possible, Beamish Museum will email visitors who have booked specific events in advance to notify them of any closures and will update all visitors of any closures via our social media channels, website and through our e-newsletter.

Beamish Museum’s Management Team will record and assess the weather conditions and their decision is final and non-negotiable.

If you have any queries regarding our Extreme Weather Policy, please email visitorfeedback@beamish.org.uk Please note that during busy periods, there may be a delay in our response times.