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!

Goodnight from the Museum and a tired curator....sleep tight with some Cyber Dreams....thank you Mark Dunne for this fab...
20/04/2026

Goodnight from the Museum and a tired curator....sleep tight with some Cyber Dreams....thank you Mark Dunne for this fabulous pic!!!

One of the smallest exhibits in the Museum! An original screen used Soylent Green Cracker from the notorious finale of D...
18/04/2026

One of the smallest exhibits in the Museum! An original screen used Soylent Green Cracker from the notorious finale of Director Richard Fleischer's prophetic 1973 dystopian scifi thriller 'Soylent Green' ....itself an adaptation of Harry Harrison's 1966 novel 'Make Room! Make Room'..... a dark classic which also features actor Edward G. Robinson's poignant final appearance. Delighted to have this tiny piece of true classic SF history in the museum- it will be on permanent display from next week! #

A huge thank you to Chris for holding the fort so Lisa, the kids and myself could have a much needed few days away! And ...
12/04/2026

A huge thank you to Chris for holding the fort so Lisa, the kids and myself could have a much needed few days away! And for cleaning the TARDIS and Daleks!!!!

11/04/2026

Hello all! I'm extremely grateful to the team and judges at Austin Indie Fest for voting Reeltime Pictures' The Monster Man' best film of the film festival! That an audience who had never seen the museum and my personal mission statement before (to personally restore, curate and man a permanent collection of classic DoctorWho and science-fiction history) liked our little documentary so much is humbling! A huge thank you to Keith Barnfather for having faith in what I do and Roger, Alex and Alistair for putting together the film! As Genesis once said- 'I can't dance!'....so apologies in advance ....that was Roger's idea....I just did as I was told!!!!🤣 # doctorwhoexhibition

Just finished the next illustration for 'It Belongs in a Museum Vol 2: The Third Doctor'! All hand drawn in BIC biro pen...
10/04/2026

Just finished the next illustration for 'It Belongs in a Museum Vol 2: The Third Doctor'! All hand drawn in BIC biro pen with added Faber Castell coloured pencils! The book is coming along nicely! As a 'Freind of the Museum' - Michael Avery will be receiving this original drawings as a thank you! #

I adore Agents of SHIELD!!! By season 4 of the show it achieves its status as a true Sci-Fi great with one of the best r...
05/04/2026

I adore Agents of SHIELD!!! By season 4 of the show it achieves its status as a true Sci-Fi great with one of the best representations of an AI ever to grace the screen! Thrilled to be able to have on permanent display three compplete significant character costumes from the series: SHIELD Agent May, ruthless Kree mercenary Sinara and Madame Hydra herself - Aida. Part of the Museum's dedicated MARVEL display! Open all year round in Northumberland UK! Do pop in for a nerdish chat!!!!🤣🥰

Hello everyone! Incredibly proud to be able announce the release of Reeltime Pictures ' latest two Myth Makers- Doctor W...
04/04/2026

Hello everyone! Incredibly proud to be able announce the release of Reeltime Pictures ' latest two Myth Makers- Doctor Who and movie costume and creature maker par excellence- Rob Allsopp- and some other bloke who's a bit eccentric really. So pleased I got the chance to interview Rob! Here's the details about the releases for anyone interested or collectors of the Myth Makers range.....from Producer Keith Barnfather....

MYTH MAKERS NEIL COLE and MYTH MAKERS ROB ALLSOPP now officially launched at CARLISLE COMIC CON!

MYTH MAKERS 188 ROB ALLSOPP Hosted by NEIL COLE

“Some really, clever, talented designers worked on the show in the 1970s ... I wanted to pay homage to the work they had done.”

Robert Allsopp trained in Theatre Design, prior to working as a freelance costume/prop-maker. He now runs his own business making specialist costumes and props for theatre, film and television. Just some of his clients include the Royal Opera House, Royal Ballet, the BBC, Ridley Scott and many overseas theatre companies.

Robert has worked on around 50 DOCTOR WHO stories. His work on the programme started in the Sylvester McCoy era and continued with the early episodes of 'new’ DOCTOR WHO, plus many stories in the Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi and Jody Whittaker eras of the show. Robert was responsible for creating updated versions of Cybermen, Sontarans and Sea Devils, as well as new villains such as Dregs, Sniper Bots and Postmen robots.

ROB is interviewed by NEIL COLE on stage at SCI-FI MONSTERS LIVE at The Queen’s Arts Centre, Hexham in 2025.

MYTH MAKERS 189 NEIL COLE Hosted by SOPHIE ALDRED

“I got planning permission to open a museum ... but that was about all I got ... and that was to come back to bite me a bit! Well, a lot!!!”

NEIL COLE is a multi-media artist and lifelong science-fiction fan. After studying Physics, Art and Music, NEIL spent three decades teaching and painting before conceiving, building and opening THE MUSEUM OF CLASSIC SCI-FI in Allendale, Northumberland.

NEIL’s art alternates between sculptural, painting an

Just a quick message- Extra Museum opening times for the Easter Holidays! As always open every Fri, Sat, Sun and Monday ...
04/04/2026

Just a quick message- Extra Museum opening times for the Easter Holidays! As always open every Fri, Sat, Sun and Monday in addition to the extra dates below!

03/04/2026

The Museum is opening slightly later at 12.00 noon today!!! Just completing a new display Ive been working through the night on! Just a few problems slowed me down....open at noon!!!! Apologies for any inconvenience! Working solo so doing everything!!!😂🥰

Busy Weekend #2! Just a slightly belated thank you to everyone who came and said hello at Carlisle Comic Con last Satu...
01/04/2026

Busy Weekend #2! Just a slightly belated thank you to everyone who came and said hello at Carlisle Comic Con last Saturday! Also....a huge thank you to the event team who made us all feel so welcome! Amazing to see 'The Monster Man' recieve another screening! So good to see David Howe and Sam....and meet up with Roger and Tom! That Barnfather bloke was around too....Im reliably informed....🥰

31/03/2026

Nightshift at the Museum!!! Standby for new exhibits!

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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Please note: the museum will reopen on October 24th! This page is to document the creation of a new permanent science-fiction museum in the north-east of England. I hope to open in about a year, (although I suspect it will be about a year and a half, as I’m the creative designer, builder and everything else in between!). The museum will be 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-fiction. 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 see the museum (and its inhabitants!) begin to develop over the next year or so…the countdown has begun… Neil Cole: Artist & Curator- 2015