Beamish Museum opens new 1950s Town community allotments

The allotments, which are set in the award-winning museum's 1950s Town, will give people the chance to experience the mental and physical health benefits of gardening.

Among those using the allotments will be people living with dementia or who have additional needs, carers, schoolchildren, local community groups, staff and volunteers.

The allotments at the museum, which was recently named Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, will be used by community groups and for activities led by Beamish’s Health and Wellbeing, Learning, and Gardens and Woodland Teams.

Local schools will incorporate gardening skills into their environmental learning activities.

Surplus produce grown from the allotments will also be shared with local groups and community cafés.

The project, which received a grant of nearly £20,000 from the Banks Community Fund, has been designed to reflect traditional 1950s-style allotments.

They have also been designed to tell the story of how rationing during the Second World War led to people turning their outside spaces into areas to grow fruit and vegetables.

The 1950s Town is part of the Remaking Beamish project, the biggest development in Beamish’s history, which also includes 1950s Spain’s Field Farm and an expansion of the Georgian landscape, including a tavern, pottery and overnight accommodation. 

The Remaking Beamish project was supported by an £11.8million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Helen Barker, Beamish’s Director – Collections and Programmes, said: “We are delighted that Banks Group has kindly given funding towards the 1950s allotments at the museum. 

“The allotments enable us to tell the story of the importance of people growing their own produce during the Second World War.

“In today’s fast-paced world, the positive benefits of gardening for mental health and wellbeing are widely recognised and we know that our community groups will benefit greatly from having access to these allotments.”

Beamish is the North East's most visited attraction, having welcomed nearly 839,000 people last year.

Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group who helped fund the project, added: “Beamish sets the standard for bringing history to life and showcasing the North East’s unique industrial history and heritage. 

“The allotments will add a valuable new dimension to the museum’s overall visitor offering and we’re very pleased to be extending our support for its excellent work.”