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!

We are very lucky in the Museum to have original artworks from some of the medium's luminaries - who have been so wonder...
19/08/2026

We are very lucky in the Museum to have original artworks from some of the medium's luminaries - who have been so wonderful supporting my vision for the Museum. Here we have Colin Howard's beautifully rendered 2nd Doctor Console from the animated Macra Terror alongside a classic Andrew Skilleter painting from his book- Monsters! I'm incredibly grateful to both artists- who have also inspired my own arts practice significantly- for helping!!!

One of the first handful of props I managed to save for....the Varos golf buggy badge!!!! Part of the Museum's 'Varos Ex...
18/08/2026

One of the first handful of props I managed to save for....the Varos golf buggy badge!!!! Part of the Museum's 'Varos Experience' display!!!!🤣

17/08/2026

Something a little different this evening.... Star Trek!!! One for George the Klingon....as the Museum has acquired a ..... Klingon!!!! Well two lovely screen used masks at least! A lot of the Museum followers are dedicated Doctor Who die-hards.... but it is worth remembering on your visit to the Museum, that there is also a substantial, broader science-fiction history always on permanent display too! I'm delighted to make some additions to the Star Trek display - here is the Klingon Leader mask from the opening 2-part premier to Star Trek Discovery..... a simply sublime realisation by Neville Page....whose creature design is truly breathtaking! Going to take a good bit of work to get this display ready.....as I need to create a bespoke head form - over which to secure this incredibly heavy, silicone mask!

One if the first little displays I made for the Museum .....12 years ago now! But I'm still extremely fond of! Surviving...
17/08/2026

One if the first little displays I made for the Museum .....12 years ago now! But I'm still extremely fond of! Surviving te****le sections from the stunning 'lead' Axon monster costume! It's time to clean and remount this little ensemble...thankfully my preservation work has held over a decade.....they still look the same as I first encountered them! Phew! #

A little sneak peek at the work in progress for Volume 2 of 'It Belongs in a Museum: The Third Doctor'! In addition to t...
16/08/2026

A little sneak peek at the work in progress for Volume 2 of 'It Belongs in a Museum: The Third Doctor'! In addition to the plethora of original production pieces I've managed to acquire so far- for the book's 'Virtual Museum' - the book will also feature a host of brand new hand drawn artworks to help illustrate each of Pertwee's classic stories. Each has been commissioned by my wonderful Museum friends and supporters! It's shaping up to be a truly special addition to any Who fan's book shelf! Looking at finalising for publication in Spring- I'm writing, researching, designing and illustrating the book myself ( to get it just right!!!🤣) so I've still got a good few months of drawing and writing to go!!!! Stay tuned for updates- and a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who has continued to follow me on this journey! ❤️❤️❤️

Good morning! Phew! Just finished a dust of the Red Terileptil that I restored between 2014-2017! I was teaching full ti...
15/08/2026

Good morning! Phew! Just finished a dust of the Red Terileptil that I restored between 2014-2017! I was teaching full time and also repairing the considerable amount of stonework in the Museum cellar at the same time....so I worked on the Terileptil as and when! What you forget when you see the creature in person is all the detailing that went into its frills .....that you only see in profile! I had to sculpt each and every one to recapture the originals which had been lost in the Longleat fire....and....are essential in joining the body to the front face of this wonderful alien! So pleased I did....but its work that you rarely actually see.....unless I'm dusting!!!🤣 #

Good morning all! Just a little flashback to the very involved restoration of the dear old Skarasen! I forgot just how c...
13/08/2026

Good morning all! Just a little flashback to the very involved restoration of the dear old Skarasen! I forgot just how complex repairing this dear old puppet was!!!! Very pleased how it turned out though....and the biggest thank you to Mike Tucker for entrusting me with it! # #

08/08/2026

LAST ORDERS for limited signed pre-orders!!! The painstakingly produced, Classic Doctor Who (1st 4 Doctors) Museum Collection Guidebook! 48, A4, full colour, highest quality paper stock pages! The sort of independent publication you will NOT be getting from larger publishers - a MUST for classic fans! Simply e-mail [email protected] for details and ordering (£15 UK - posted to your door)! All monies from pre-orders contributing to the print-run!

Following months of research, writing and design work I’m finally taking PRE-ORDERS for the new Museum Guidebook - hand ...
04/08/2026

Following months of research, writing and design work I’m finally taking PRE-ORDERS for the new Museum Guidebook - hand signed and posted for £15.00 - this includes p&p! (within the UK)
This is a real treat for classic Doctor Who fans being the first collected guide to all the exhibits from the eras of the first FOUR Doctors! 48 glorious A4 full colour, highest quality paper pages and card cover! Your pre-order will help support the Museum - primarily by helping cover the printing costs…..which at 48 pages is quite a bit!

IMPORTANT STUFF: To get your copy….
simply e-mail: [email protected]
In your email please include: your name and address CLEARLY! I will then send you a reply with payment options.

Please include any signing details (dedications etc, if wanted!)
Once I receive payment I will add your name to the mailing list…..as soon as I receive the copies of the Guide Book I will mail them out to you, personally signed!

IMPORTANT! I will be sending the completed digital file of the book toward the end of the week, so please expect about two weeks from payment to receiving your copy. This is a small limited print run - as such - I am doing everything myself (bar the actual printing!) - there is only one of me, and I’m still running the Museum at the same time and being a Dad etc! I promise you that you will receive your signed copy of the Guide Book as quickly as possible!

If you are a FRIEND OF THE MUSEUM - you will either receive a FREE PDF or PRINTED copy depending on your subscription tier! If you are a £1.50 or £3.50 Friend and would like a printed copy, then please email and I will be giving you a discounted price of £10.

OVERSEAS: I’m very happy to post overseas - but cannot accurately predict the precise postage costs (with new tariffs etc) until I receive the printed book. To place a pre-order, if you could pay the initial £15 GBP and then, once the books arrive, I will charge the extra postage on an individual basis. I will endeavor to keep prices down as much as possible!

I’m very proud of the guide book - I really hope you enjoy it! Volume 2- Doctors 5-7…..will appear in the near future….and after, I will be creating a broader sci-fi Guide Book for the Museum’s broader SF collection!

Well....he's probably the star of the Museum....on residency courtesy of Mike Tucker - whom alongside colleague Colin Ma...
02/08/2026

Well....he's probably the star of the Museum....on residency courtesy of Mike Tucker - whom alongside colleague Colin Mapson- faithfully restored this wonderful, costume for the Doctor Who Experience in 2011. Ambitious beyond its time....yet Acheson, Friedlander and Mapson made it happen waaay back in 1975! The Warlord of the Zygons is on display at the Museum..... do drop by and wave a te****le!!!!

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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