North East Land, Sea and Air Museums

About the museum

The museum grew out of the North East Vintage and Veteran Aircraft Association, which began meeting at Sunderland Airport in 1974. Over the following years the group collected aircraft and displayed them under changing names, including the Northumbrian Aeronautical Collection and the North East Aircraft Museum. It operates from a small site on the domestic side of the former RAF Usworth airfield, near Washington and Sunderland.

The present name was adopted around 2012, when a collection of military vehicles moved from Newcastle into a new hut on the site. The North East Electric Traction Trust brought trams and buses to a tram shed there in 2013, widening the museum to cover land, sea and air transport. The trust no longer exists, and its trams now belong to the museum.

The collection is described by the museum as covering a century of transport history. It includes more than thirty aircraft, among them an Avro Vulcan B2 bomber that landed at the airport to become the first Vulcan in a private collection. Displays also include aero engines, military vehicles, a navy collection, a display about No. 607 Squadron, which was based at RAF Usworth, and a reconstructed Second World War street scene.

The museum is a registered charity run largely by volunteers and is a member of Aviation Heritage UK.

Highlights

• Cold War Avro Vulcan B2 bomber
• More than thirty historic aircraft in several hangars
• Military vehicles and navy collection
• Trams, including the Royal Metro
• 607 Squadron display and Second World War street scene

Permanent exhibitions

• Main aircraft hangars – Historic airframes from military and civil aviation, including the Avro Vulcan B2 and many smaller types.
• 607 Squadron display and WWII street scene – A tribute to the squadron that flew from RAF Usworth, plus a reconstructed wartime British street.
• Military vehicles and trams – Vehicles in the Romney huts and the tram shed.

Founded

1974

Operated by

North East Land, Sea and Air Museums (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

Card payments preferred; cash accepted. Car-free offer under the Good Journey scheme: £1 off entry with a valid bus ticket or when arriving by bike or on foot, and under 5s free. Group visits can be arranged in advance.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Most of the outdoor area is grass, with concrete or gravel paths to each hangar. Wheelchair access to the inside of the aircraft is not possible. Disabled parking is near the visitor entrance. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome, as are other well-behaved dogs on leads.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Playground / play area

A fenced play area with swings and a slide is available for younger children, who must be supervised by an adult. Child and family tickets are offered.

Getting there & parking

By car, leave the A19 at the junction signed for the Nissan offices and the aircraft museum and follow the brown signs.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The shop sells books, models and souvenirs and offers light refreshments such as tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Toilets are in the main hangar near the entrance.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit