The Great North Museum: Hancock opened on 23 May 2009 following a major £26 million redevelopment incorporating collections from the Hancock Museum, Newcastle University’s Museum of Antiquities and the Shefton Museum of Greek and Etruscan Art and Archaeology. The origins of the Hancock Museum's collections can be drawn back to about 1780 when Marmaduke Tunstall began collecting ethnographic and natural history material from all over the world.

The museum really is a treasure trove for people of all ages, the living plant gallery tells the story of wildlife and habitats while there is also a fascinating exhibition about Hadrian’s Wall, celebrating its 1900 year old history. The Mouse House is also located within this - a space for the youngest visitors and their families. Designed to excite curiosity and encourage young children to explore, the Mouse House gallery is full of surprises introducing the museum’s diverse collections. Choose an activity from the walls of the Mouse House to help you explore the rest of the museum, don’t forget up to three children aged 11 and under travel for free on Metro with a fare paying adult. 

Exhibitions on display at the Barras Road site include the ancient Egypt exhibition. Here you can marvel at enormous stone statues, tiny lucky charms, precious burial goods and entire coffins.

There is a huge range of other exhibits to see like the planetarium showcasing constellations of stars from across the universe with special showings for school children so they can learn more about the space and solar system around us. 

There is also lots more to explore, including the giant dinosaur that dominates the whole museum given his colossal size. There is also a huge library to explore within the building spanning three separate collections including the archives of the Natural History Society of Northumbria, the Library of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne and Newcastle University's Cowen Library.

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