Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, has been crowned Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, receiving the world’s largest museum prize of £120,000. The award was presented to Rhiannon Hiles, Chief Executive of Beamish, during a ceremony held on June 26, 2025, at the Museum of Liverpool. The event was hosted by comedian and Art Fund judge Phil Wang, who praised the museum for its exceptional commitment and immersive experience.
Located in Stanley, County Durham, Beamish is an open-air museum that vividly brings to life the history of North East England from the Georgian era through to the 1950s. Visitors can explore meticulously recreated towns, villages, farms, and a colliery, all staffed by costumed volunteers who share stories of everyday life from the past. This year marks the museum’s 55th anniversary, a milestone celebrated alongside its continued dedication to preserving and showcasing the region’s cultural heritage.
Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund and chair of the judging panel, described Beamish as “a joyous, immersive and unique place shaped by the stories and experiences of its community.” She highlighted the museum’s remarkable attention to detail across its sprawling 350-acre site and praised the passion of its staff and volunteers. Waldman also noted that “three-quarters of adults in the North East of England say museums make them proud of where they live,” positioning Beamish as a shining example of how museums can enrich and unite local communities.
The past year has been particularly significant for Beamish, as it completed the ambitious Remaking Beamish project — the largest development in its history. This initiative saw the recreation of a 1950s town inspired by real stories and memories contributed by over 32,000 community members and 14,338 schoolchildren. The project added 31 new exhibits, including a milk bar, a pub, a photographer’s studio, and shops such as a confectioner’s, alongside vintage transport like trams and old cars. The museum also opened a series of aged miners’ homes, which tell the story of pioneering welfare support for retired miners in County Durham, further deepening its connection to regional history and social change.
Beamish’s commitment to education is equally impressive. The museum welcomes around 40,000 schoolchildren annually, offering hands-on learning experiences that span local history, science, and engineering. These programs complement the museum’s immersive exhibits, helping to inspire younger generations through interactive and engaging educational content.
In 2024, Beamish attracted over 838,630 visitors, making it the most visited attraction in the North East and surpassing pre-pandemic attendance levels. Its outstanding visitor experience has been recognized with several awards, including the Travellers’ Choice Award and the national Visitor Welcome Award at the 2024 Museums + Heritage Awards.
Comedian Phil Wang, who served as both a judge and presenter at the award ceremony, enthusiastically praised Beamish, saying: “Our visit was one of the most fun days I’ve had in years. An unbelievable level of commitment from staff, and a jaw-dropping amount of detail ran through everything. They had to drag me kicking and screaming out of there!” His remarks reflect the genuine delight visitors experience when exploring the museum’s detailed recreations and engaging storytelling.
Chris Loughran, Chair of Beamish, emphasized the museum’s role as a community anchor, stating, “Communities sit at the heart of Beamish. They always have and they always will. We’re proud to be a place, a space and an anchor for all. Beamish is the North East’s leading visitor attraction but it also is the beating heart of our region’s identity and values.” He further outlined the museum’s future ambitions, noting that the next strategic plan aims to extend Beamish’s impact on supporting the region’s communities and economy through to 2035.
The UK government’s Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, also congratulated Beamish on its achievement, highlighting the museum’s “extraordinary contribution that Beamish has made to celebrate the heritage of the North East and to showcase this to the world through thousands of visitors every year.” She acknowledged the dedication of museum staff and volunteers nationwide who help tell the country’s national story through their work.
Beamish was selected from a strong field of finalists, including Chapter in Cardiff, Compton Verney in Warwickshire, Golden Thread Gallery in Belfast, and Perth Museum in Perth & Kinross. Each finalist received £15,000, bringing the total prize fund for the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025 to £180,000. Previous winners of the prestigious award include the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate St Ives, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Among those who have long admired Beamish is Terry Deary, author of the Horrible Histories series. He recounted his experiences in the 1980s when he would take schoolchildren to the museum and perform educational theatre to teach them about war, vividly portraying the stories of bewildered soldiers returning home and deserters. His endorsement underscores Beamish’s enduring role in education and cultural engagement.
As Beamish celebrates over half a century of bringing history to life, its latest accolade affirms its status as a beloved institution that not only preserves the past but actively connects with communities, inspires learning, and enriches the cultural fabric of the North East. With its deep roots and ambitious future plans, Beamish stands ready to continue delighting and educating visitors for many years to come.
