Neil Cole's Adventures in Science Fiction: Museum of Sci-fi

Neil Cole's Adventures in Science Fiction: Museum of Sci-fi The UK's permanent science-fiction museum, detailing the history of the classic sci-fi genre and cla Neil Cole: Artist & Museum Creator/Curator
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This page documents the creation of the Uk's permanent science-fiction museum in the north-east of England. The museum is situated in Allendale Town- an extremely picturesque village in the North Pennines. Visitors to the museum will be able to find lovely coffee shops and amenities on hand, as well as stunning walks. The idea for the museum stemmed from my lifelong fascination with science-fictio

n. It tells the story of a young boy who dreamt of travelling to other planets- but didn’t quite make it. Instead, he had a lot of fun watching, reading, collecting, drawing, making and dreaming. From a handful of action figures and comics and staying up very late to catch old B&W movies with his Dad, this interest never waned. The museum sets out to tell a brief history of science-fiction from H.G.Wells to the current day through my experience of the genre. It will of course be biased to those movies, comics and ideas that have most affected me personally. The story will be told with many original, screen-used props and costumes, production items, animation cels and published artwork. This journey highlights the landmark worlds of Wells, ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Star Wars’, whilst also exploring key genre themes, such as robotics and dystopia. I will also be producing original, unique artwork for the museum. Keep checking back to the page to follow the ever changing museum!

A special post today....celebrating the recovery of my dear friend Keith Barnfather - who has been a bit poorly....but o...
12/07/2026

A special post today....celebrating the recovery of my dear friend Keith Barnfather - who has been a bit poorly....but on the mend! For over 40 years, Keith has opened up the worlds of classic Doctor Who and created an unrivalled archive of interviews with many of the show's creators and cast. Beyond his legendary Myth Makers series Keith was also fundamental in the introduction of independent Doctor Who based drama and in the production of many other documentaries. I cannot recommend enough Reeltime's 'Doctor on Display' series looking at the history of the sublime classic Doctor Who Exhibitions. Keith has been incredibly supportive of the Museum and my work within it- and over the last few years donated some lovely items to the Museum collection. Here are a few that often get overlooked....the original film reel featuring Kevin Davies wonderful animation for the original Myth Makers title sequence....and some small props from 2017's 'The White Witch of Devil's End' featuring Damaris Hayman reprising her role as Miss Hawthorne! #

Good morning all! The Museum's first proper Guide Book dedicated to the Museum's classic Doctor Who collection is nearin...
09/07/2026

Good morning all! The Museum's first proper Guide Book dedicated to the Museum's classic Doctor Who collection is nearing completion! Whilst Friends of the Museum will be getting a free copy, I'll be doing a pre-order for anyone else interested in obtaining a copy via mail order! With the book now running at 40 pages, the print cost will be quite high - so pre-orders will really help me get this into print! I WILL ANNOUNCE THE PRE-ORDER TOWARD THE END OF JULY! The guide focuses on the first four Doctors - on the objects in the Museum collection. Hopefully this will prove a perfect souvenir for visitors to the Museum and interesting to those who are unable to! Whilst I've been a bit quiet on social media- its only because I've been working away behind the scenes writing and designing the guide book and the second volume of 'It Belongs in a Museum!' As so many of you will be aware - I work two jobs to help keep the Museum up and running- I'm (sadly!🤣) not a millionaire collector- all the work I do goes back into keep the Museum doors open - and a permanent classic Doctor Who Exhibition open- all year round! Your support helps make this happen- and for nearing 9 years now together we've made this happen - full stop! # #

04/07/2026

Something a little different this evening!!! Apologies that this post is unashamedly NOT sci-fi!!! ....but last night I had the honour of playing a small gig with two lovely people with whom we have formed a band.... now....I SWORE that I would never play in a band again over 20 years ago....and sold all my equipment to make sure of it!!!🤣 I had become extremely jaded in cover bands and genuinely lost any desire to make music. Instead I focus on my visual art and ultimately the Museum. However....with such gratitude to Andy and Ed - who were playing one evening in a shed next door to my in-laws.... my enthusiasm was reignited....playing entirely original material and finally- I offered (as a last resort) to sing to get the project moving forward. In the 20th century I used to play and sing....its blooming hard work and I'd also swore that I'd never do that again either!!! Anyway....we played our first three songs last night at Allendale Tap Room (the biggest thanks to Adrian for sorting this) and despite still trying to remember my words and with my fingers slower than they used to be we made our debut! Just a huge thank you to everyone who came to listen. So lovely to play something new and fresh! Anyway...like everything I do....this is just raw and how it was. Playing last night took me back to simpler times playing with my dear freinds - James, Keith and Susi- the freedom of writing music. Thanks for indulging me with this post- normal sci-fi shenanigans will restart tomorrow!!! I thought a few long term followers of the museum- many who are now good friends may find this amusing!

When you run a small museum, the details really count- and often smaller exhibits - that may become lost in a larger ven...
02/07/2026

When you run a small museum, the details really count- and often smaller exhibits - that may become lost in a larger venue - have a spotlight shone on them. One of the smallest items in the Museum....a tiny hand carved wooden spacecraft- one of Skagra's shuttle craft- made to show the ship at distance against a larger model- from 1979's 'lost' Doctor Who story - Shada. Working on the soon to be released Museum Doctor Who collection guide is helping me reflect on how the collection has developed over the last decade. # #

Flashback! Macra attack!!! One of my illustrations for the first volume of It Belongs in a Museum- The Second Doctor! Al...
01/07/2026

Flashback! Macra attack!!! One of my illustrations for the first volume of It Belongs in a Museum- The Second Doctor! All hand drawn on paper in biro- with zero computer assistance or embellishments!!! The book sold out....which came as a bit of a surprise and I'm still getting asked for copies now..... when vol 2 comes out I will be considering some form of reprint for vol 1..... THANK YOU to everyone who bought the book and ensured vol 2 was a viable project!!!!

A massive THANK YOU to the wonderfully enthusiastic Santosh and Ed for an equally wonderful screening of ALIENS last nig...
28/06/2026

A massive THANK YOU to the wonderfully enthusiastic Santosh and Ed for an equally wonderful screening of ALIENS last night - my daughter Matilda had an absolute blast!!!! I have no idea how many times I have watched that movie....and yet, last night....on the big screen I was once again totally hooked!!!! It is a masterpiece. Anyway....also thank you everyone for politely listening to my few anecdotes at the start!!!! Here I am in full flight(!🤣) with a few pieces from the franchise- including the rare surviving pyro-stunt xeno head from ALIENS....that has had a fascinating life....repaired and repainted for its appearance post production at the Trocedero ALIEN WAR exhibtion! A huge thank you to the kindness of the late John Bullock❤️ All these pieces are now back in the museum for visitors this morning!

Excited!!!
27/06/2026

Excited!!!

One of the pieces I'm taking to the ALIENS screening tonight.... the dog buster full size head that was worn on an actua...
27/06/2026

One of the pieces I'm taking to the ALIENS screening tonight.... the dog buster full size head that was worn on an actual whippet....I'll explain all later!!!!

Good morning from The Museum of Classic Sci-Fi! The Daleks are trying a spot of Cloudbusting this morning for some rain ...
27/06/2026

Good morning from The Museum of Classic Sci-Fi! The Daleks are trying a spot of Cloudbusting this morning for some rain to wash their war torn shells!!!!

Good evening everyone- soon to be going on permanent display in the Museum- Fenner's costume from The Power of Kroll- as...
26/06/2026

Good evening everyone- soon to be going on permanent display in the Museum- Fenner's costume from The Power of Kroll- as worn by the indomitible Philip Madoc. A huge thank you to my freind Kate for helping ensure this goes on exhibition and reside in the Museum's cool and fabric-freindly atmosphere! The costume is complete minus its badge and piping - which are so frequently removed before storage. I'll be making adjustments to the Key to Time display to ensure this is on display for the summer holiday proper! #

Address

Osborne House
Hexham
NE479BJ

Opening Hours

Monday 10:30am - 3pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 3pm
Friday 10:30am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10:30am - 4pm

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