We spoke to Julie Wilson, from Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, which is shortlisted in the ‘Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Award’ category this year. She gave us a fantastic insight into the attraction and tells us about the impact of being shortlisted for the North East England Tourism Awards 2017.
What does it mean to a business like Beamish to be shortlisted for the awards this year?
We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for the North East England Tourism Awards 2017 and to be part of this fantastic celebration of tourism in the region. It really is an honour to be a finalist alongside so many outstanding tourism attractions and businesses from across the North East. The awards showcase what an incredible region this is.
What impact has making the shortlist had on Beamish so far, if any?
Being shortlisted in such high profile awards is great. We’ve had a brilliant response from everyone to the news and it’s great recognition for all of our amazing staff and volunteers.
If you had to describe Beamish in one tweet to a tourist to the North East region, what would you say?
Beamish is an amazing living museum, where visitors can travel back in time to experience North East life in the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s.
What are the USPs of Beamish which make it stand out in an incredible category of nominees in this year’s awards?
Beamish is an attraction like no other, where visitors of all ages can experience the unforgettable sights, sounds, smells and delicious tastes of the region’s past. Beamish is hands-on history – visitors can ride on a tram or steam train, taste traditional food fresh from a coal-fired range, take part in a Home Guard drill or Suffragette march, write on a slate in the schoolroom, go underground in a mine, and be photographed in splendid Edwardian costume. Visitors pay once and can return free for 12 months, including a year-round programme of extraordinary events. Our friendly costumed staff and volunteers are always on hand to give the warmest of welcomes and ensure every visitor enjoys a day to remember.
At Beamish, we always put the visitor first – our friendly costumed staff and volunteers bring history to life, which is demonstrated by a picture from our 1820s Pockerley Waggonway.
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North is shortlisted for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, alongside Kielder Water & Forest Park (KWFP) and Alnwick Garden.
Written by Kieran Stewart from Newcastle College