Beloved North East museum opens new community health and well-being allotments
The allotments reflect traditional 1950s-style and will tell the story of rationing during the Second World War
New community allotments designed to boost health and well-being have been opened at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, The site, supported by funding from North East employer the Banks Group., will also deliver education programmes.
The open-air attraction as previously reported by the Chronicle last month announced the return of popular after hours Halloween evenings and magical Christmas nights for 2025. And now has welcomed a new allotment project to the mix.
The 12 allotment plots in the award-winning County Durham museum’s 1950s Town will give people the chance to get involved in gardening, including its physical and mental health benefits. Among those using will be people living with dementia or who have additional needs, carers, local community groups, staff and volunteers.
Beamish’s Health and Wellbeing, Learning, and Gardens and Woodland Teams will lead activities from the allotments, whilst schoolchildren will learn gardening skills as part of learning activities focusing on the environment.
The project has received £19,944 from the Banks Community Fund, which has been used towards levelling the area, dividing it into 12 plots, laying footpaths and erecting fencing.
Designed to reflect traditional 1950s-style, the allotments will help tell stories of the past. 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." Surplus produce will also be shared with local groups or community cafes.
Beamish, which is an independent charity, was recently named Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025. The museum, which welcomed nearly 839,000 people last year, is the North East’s most visited attraction and among the top 20 paid-for attractions nationally.
The Banks Group is a long-term supporter of Beamish, with a £10,000 grant from the Banks Community Fund supporting the museum’s recreation of the celebrated North East artist Norman Cornish’s Spennymoor home, and a £20,000 grant aiding the construction of a replica of Leasingthorne Colliery Welfare Hall and Community Centre. It was also the first business to sponsor a seat at Beamish’s recreation of Ryhope’s Grand cinema.
Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, adds: "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."
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.