Discovery Museum

Visit Discovery Museum, Newcastle

Discovery Museum is one of those places that manages to be genuinely fascinating for adults while offering a wild child an entire day's worth of things to press, pull and investigate. Housed in the old Co-operative Wholesale Society building near Newcastle city centre, it tells the story of Tyneside's maritime, scientific and industrial past, with the magnificent Turbinia, once the fastest ship in the world, taking pride of place at the entrance. It's the region's most visited free museum, and it earns that title honestly.

The lowdown:

• Where: Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JA

• When: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 4pm. Closed 24th, 25th, 26th and 31st December and 1st January.

• Cost: Free entry, with donations always welcome

• Parking: Central, city centre location with several NCP car parks nearby; Central Station is a short walk away for those arriving by train

  
  

Why your wild child will love it: the Science Maze is packed with hands-on experiments, from shadow puppets to air hockey, while the Newcastle Story offers an interactive walk through the city's history from the Romans onward. Younger children in particular tend to gravitate towards the Play Tyne water play area, when open, though it's worth checking its current status before you visit.

Contact: Details at discoverymuseum.org.uk.