The Town is the Museums centrepiece with lots to see.
All links on this page are
links.
The Co-oP
store originally came from
Annfield Plain, Stanley. There is a grocery department selling
foodstuffs, many of which were weighed and packed for the customers.
There is also a drapery store and hardware department with examples
of goods from the 1900s on display. There is also a very interesting
working example of a Lamson-Paragon Cash System that was used to
transfer money between the shop counters and the cashiers office -
ask for a demonstration!
Above the Co-op is the Dainty Dinah Tea Rooms where you can purchase a range of sandwiches and snacks.
Further along the street is the
Beamish Motor & Cycle Works,
which is a good example of an early town garage. In the main showroom
are examples of cars, motor cycles and also additional items such as
brass lamps and horns. A replica 1912 30/50 Armstrong Whitworth
limousine is often used for the transport of visitors between the
Town and the Colliery Village.
Across the road from the Co-op and garage you will find the
Sweet Shop - Jubilee Confectioners.
There is a sweet factory located behind the main shop where visitors
can watch traditional sweets being made - free samples are sometimes
available. Visitors can always however buy sweets in the main shop.
Next to the Sweet Shop is the Newspaper
Office and Printing Shop which would have been used to print
mainly stationery and posters, the newspapers being printed in the
large printing departments of the newspapers. The Newspaper Office
would have sold newspapers as well as stationery, posters etc.
Across a small lane leading to the Livery Yard and Tack
Room is the Sun Inn which was
originally sited at High Bondgate, Bishop Auckland. The pub has two
rooms - the traditional "Men Only" front bar (which now welcomes
women), and the "Select" rear room. Unfortunately the prices in the
pub are the current 2000's prices.
Alongside the Sun Inn is Ravensworth Terrace, originally
from Gateshead, which has a number of properties furnished in 1900s
style. There is a Music Teachers house, a
Dentist's House and Surgery
complete with all of the necessary tools of the trade and a
Solicitors with an excellent example of a 1900's office.
Also in the Town is the Park which has its own Bandstand - originally built in Saltwell Park, Gateshead. There are regular Brass Band Concerts throughout the Summer months.
The Bank, is an impressive period
branch of Barclay & Co.'s Bank opened in Easter 1999. In
the banking hall and strong room, customers can talk with a bank
clerk, find out about the days when gold ruled the world and see
typical turn-of-the-century banking methods. Children will be amazed
at the difference between decimal coinage and the old currency -
especially the weight of a modern £1 coin compared to a bag of
240 old pennies!
The Masonic Hall,was opened in 2006.
The building facade was originally built in Park Terrace, Sunderland
in 1868. Items inside include a set of thrones and examples of the
Masonic regalia appropriate to the turn of the century.The Temple has
been built in the Town area next to the Bank, it is full size, double
cube and is an excellent exhibit. It is intended to, as far as
possible, explain the work of the movement in the North East of
England , hopefully with the help of Freemasons themselves.