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!

It's nearly upon us!!!! The dramatic story of a small Doctor Who/scifi exhibition in the North of England....and the cel...
23/07/2026

It's nearly upon us!!!! The dramatic story of a small Doctor Who/scifi exhibition in the North of England....and the celebration of 40 years of Reeltime Pictures!!!! Featuring footage of the myriad of restorations I had to complete, setting up of the exhibition itself and the incredible open day when Reeltime filmed Myth Makers Live 4!!!! Stand by!!!! #

Good morning all! This morning.... off to a coffee shop to complete a spread for the upcoming Guide Book....dashing to c...
23/07/2026

Good morning all! This morning.... off to a coffee shop to complete a spread for the upcoming Guide Book....dashing to complete it now....and an article for Who's Views!!! In the meantime here's a lovely little item on display in the Museum- created by the charming and talented Steve Broster for the original DVD release of 'The Green Death' - this is the faux UNIT folder used in the 'Global Conspiracy' mocumentary that featured Mark Gatiss. The folder was then used again to frame legendary author Terence Dicks for the UNIT documentary that appeared on the 'Inferno' DVD release. The documentary has all been hand typed by Steve....and the fictional map needs to be read to be believed.....!!!!🤣 #

Just working through the new Museum Guide Book to the Doctor Who collection....and the final item in the books is..... A...
22/07/2026

Just working through the new Museum Guide Book to the Doctor Who collection....and the final item in the books is..... Andrew Skilleter's compositional rough for submission to the BBC prior to painting his gorgeous VHS artwork for Logopolis. As followers of the Museum will more than know, I adore Andrew's work and had the pleasure of spending a day with him, interviewing him for Reeltime Pictures. The VHS cover era is so special to me personally.....I was struggling at the time with little money and my Father starting showing the first signs of the motor neurone disease that ultimately took his life a few years later. The Doctor Who VHS releases....we're simply small shafts of light in the dark....I would save across each month to buy them. To have a piece of Andrew's art from their production is very precious. Anyway! Enough of that! Off to do something productive!!!! # #

The biggest thank you to Dr. Andrew Ireland for his donation of several costumes from the 2019 UCLan reconstruction of t...
21/07/2026

The biggest thank you to Dr. Andrew Ireland for his donation of several costumes from the 2019 UCLan reconstruction of the classic missing 1965 Doctor Who episode 'Mission to the Unknown' - here is one of the Alien Delegates - Gearon. In much the same manner as Daphne Dare - way back in 1965 - the dedicated team of professionals and students worked on a shoestring budget and equally tight time pressure to create the production. The Alien Delegates were one of the elements meticulously recreated for the recreation which was ultimately broadcast on the BBC'S YouTube channel. A new display featuring the costumes will be appearing at the Museum soon! #

Fantasy flashback!!! Just reflecting on the work that has gone into the museum over the last 10 years! One of the first ...
20/07/2026

Fantasy flashback!!! Just reflecting on the work that has gone into the museum over the last 10 years! One of the first exhibits I prepared for display was this hero prosthetic set made for Michael Chiklis as 'The Thing'! To prevent the foam rubber from becoming stressed over time, I sculpted extra nose details so I didn't have to stretch and pull the nose up to the brow! I also had to add some big blue eyes and eyelids - as the Chiklis life cast had its eyes closed! On permanently display in the Marvel section of the Museum alongside a large set of Thing champers!!! -Fi

Hello all! With the Summer Holidays well and truly underway....if you fancy a little cool down....why not visit the Muse...
19/07/2026

Hello all! With the Summer Holidays well and truly underway....if you fancy a little cool down....why not visit the Museum's restored Haemavore! Just one of many original, screen used Doctor Who monsters on permanent display! And....throughout the Summer hols we are also open Wednesdays too! Look forward to seeing you! #

Good morning!!! It really is the little things!!! The Museum shop stickers have arrived!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Love them!!!!
18/07/2026

Good morning!!! It really is the little things!!! The Museum shop stickers have arrived!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Love them!!!!

14/07/2026

Good afternoon from the Museum! A little time to do some writing and drawing today for both the new (extremely close to completion!) First Four Doctors Guide Book and 'It Belongs in a Museum vol 2: The Third Doctor'.....taking my expansive art equipment outside this afternoon to scribble for a bit!

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! #

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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