Summer festival launches at Shildon’s Locomotion supported by Lumo

Families in the region can enjoy a fun, free day out at a new pop-up beach at Shildon’s Locomotion Museum, supported by the North East-based rail operator Lumo.

The impressive beach is part of Locomotion’s annual summer festival, which is returning for a third year, bigger and better than ever before. Families are invited to enjoy the sandy beach, take a train ride and get stuck into activities that celebrate the thrilling world of engineering.

As the school holidays officially begin, Lumo is the perfect way to visit the North East of England. The open access operator was recently ranked the UK’s top rail company for value for money, while also securing a place among the top three long-distance UK operators for overall customer satisfaction. Lumo’s sustainable fully-electric East Coast Main Line services connect Newcastle with destinations including Glasgow, Edinburgh and London.

Locomotion is perfect for families looking for an affordable day out, with the free-to-enter museum open seven days a week for people to explore the history behind the birthplace of the railways.

The museum’s summer festival has a range of family activities, including a stunning display of Lego models, the chance to see live railway engineering in action and a fantastic display of moving Meccano models. World famous steam engine Flying Scotsman will even be running rides and experiences from 2-31 August. 

Sarah Price, Head of Locomotion, said: “Locomotion’s summer festival gets bigger and better every year, and we’re delighted to be bringing it back for a third year. The pop-up beach is always one of the highlights of the festival, and it’s wonderful to see visitors of all ages coming together to enjoy it.

“The additional support from Lumo this year will make the offer even more exciting for families visiting Locomotion over the summer.”

Richard Salkeld, Director of Communications and Partnerships at Lumo, added: “Locomotion is a brilliant North East attraction which offers an amazing, fun and free day out for all the family. As a company committed to celebrating many of the region’s cultural attractions, we’re proud to support the beach at Locomotion. It’s another fantastic reason for people to explore the North East this summer.”

Locomotion is full to the brim with amazing engines that tell incredible stories. Plus, over the summer there is a special exhibition all about how engineers have shaped our world. Find out more here.