History coming to life

Discover the past this summer with our pick of the best open-air museums

- ZOE WEST

When the sun is shining, spending a day browsing exhibits in a hushed indoor setting might not be your first choice for a day out. But outdoor museums can be a unique and immersive experience, guaranteed to transport you to another time and place. Whether it's buildings that have been painstakingly rebuilt stone by stone and filled with artefacts from a bygone era, or actors regaling visitors with long-ago stories, these attractions offer an exciting window into the past. Here are our picks, from traditional Highlands thatched cottages to a 1950s town in Durham and Tudor re-enactments in the Chilterns.

Beamish

COUNTY DURHAM

This exceptional museum, which opened in 1972, was the most-visited attraction in the North East in 2022. Set in 300 acres of beautiful countryside, the site recreates a North-East England town from the early 19th century to the mid-20th century. Authentic streets are lined with shops and houses, and there's even a working farm. Jump aboard a vintage tram or bus and ride around the town, or hop on a steam engine and interact with costumed folk for the full immersive experience.

The Pit Village offers a real insight into the challenging lives of miners and their families, and if you're curious for an even closer look, you can descend into a mine.

* Find out more at beamish.org.uk