|
On the south side of Westgate Road, the Discovery Museum in Blandford Square (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm; free), attempts to put into context the city's history - a footnote to which is the museum's own massive GBP12 million redevelopment. Expect to find exhibits such as the "Newcastle Story", the interactive "Science Maze" and the Turbinia , the world's first steam-turbine-powered ship, built by local engineer, Charles Parsons. Heading back towards the Central Station along Westmorland Street, you can't miss the sleek modern lines of LIFE Interactive World (Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm; GBP6.95), which aims to convey the scientific secrets of life using the latest entertainment technology, including imaginative and humorous computer games. The emphasis is squarely on learning through having fun rather than the other way round, though you probably don't have to undergo the white-knuckle "Crazy Motion Ride", the world's longest motion simulator, to learn that "life is a rollercoaster" - or that you don't like rollercoasters. Newcastle's - indeed, the Northeast's - premier art collection is the Laing Gallery on New Bridge Street (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm; free), off John Dobson Street, behind the library. It's a splendidly organized museum, in which local pottery, glassware, costume and sculpture play their part, while on permanent display is a sweep through British art from Reynolds to John Hoyland, with a smattering of Pre-Raphaelites, so admired by English industrial barons. The real treat though is the lashings of John Martin (1789-1854), a self-taught Northumberland painter with a penchant for massive biblical and mythical scenes inspired by the dramatic northeastern scenery. The other must-see in the gallery is the Art on Tyneside exhibition, which romps through the history of art and applied art in the region since the seventeenth century with considerable gusto, highlighting the contribution of Thomas Bewick , England's greatest engraver (1735-1828), whose pastoral works were inspired by the surrounding countryside. Newcastle University, opposite Haymarket Metro, contains a knot of fine museums and galleries, located off King's Walk: the Museum of Antiquities (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; free) makes a good place to get to grips with the history of Hadrian's Wall, with a fascinating scale model of the whole length of the wall; the small Shefton Museum of Greek Art and Archeology (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm; free) contains a valuable collection of armour, sculpture and pottery; while the celebrated Hatton Gallery (Mon-Fri 10am-5.30pm, Sat 10am-4.30pm; free), attached to the Fine Art Department, features a collection of African sculpture, the only surviving example of Kurt Schwitters' Merzbau (a sort of architectural collage) and a wide variety of temporary exhibitions. Also attached to the university is the Hancock Museum on adjacent Claremont Road (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm; GBP4.50); based on an eighteenth-century natural history collection, it's grown to immense dimensions - with more than 150,000 insect specimens - and hosts widely touted temporary exhibitions such as the 2001 Star Trek "European Tour". Beyond the university stretches the Town Moor , 1200 acres of common land where freemen of the city, including former US president Jimmy Carter, are entitled to graze their cattle. It's the site of the annual "Hoppings" in the last week of June, a huge week-long fair of rides, stalls and other attractions which keeps the cows awake until well after dark.
Your Tip for Museums and galleries
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Museums and galleries - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Museums and galleries - visit the main Museums and galleries forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Museums and galleries webguide section below! Thanks.
|
