Great North Museum: Hancock

The Great North Museum incorporates collections from the Hancock Museum and Newcastle University’s Museum of Antiquities, the Shefton Museum and the Hatton Gallery.

Highlights of the £26million museum include a large-scale, interactive model of Hadrian's Wall, major new displays showing the wonder and diversity of the animal kingdom, spectacular objects from the Ancient Greeks and mummies from Ancient Egypt, a planetarium and a life-size T-Rex dinosaur replica skeleton.

The Living Planet display houses hundreds of creatures and by using a mixture of touch screen technology and hands-on investigations, visitors can investigate these animals and find out where they live and how they survive in such extreme places as the arctic and desert.

Live animal tanks and aquaria are integrated into this major display where visitors can see wolf fish, pythons and lizards to name a few. Star objects include a full size model of an elephant, a great white shark, a virtual aquarium, live animal displays, a polar bear, a giraffe and moa skeleton.

Exhibitions and events

World Cultures

Permanent exhibition

This gallery shows some of the most exciting objects in the museum’s collection from many world cultures – the Islands of the Pacific, the great land masses of Africa and Asia, the plains of North...

Roman Empire

Permanent exhibition

This display explores objects from the wider Roman Empire including a huge porphyry foot and one of the most famous coins in the world, a Roman silver denari of Anthony and Cleopatra. Suitable for...

Natural Northumbria

Permanent exhibition

Visitors can discover what makes the North East region special in terms of the animals and plants as well as paying a 'virtual' visit to a number of sites in the area. Investigation Hides provide...

Mouse House

Permanent exhibition

The Mouse House is especially for our youngest visitors and their families. Designed to excite curiosity and encourage young children to explore, the Mouse House gallery is full of surprises...

Living Planet

Permanent exhibition

The Bio Wall in Living Planet houses hundreds of creatures and by using a mixture of touch screen technology and hands-on investigations, visitors can investigate these animals and find out where...

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