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-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 follow the ever changing museum!

The time is approaching.....the release of 'Tooth and Claw'!!!! The story of 'The Museum of Classic Sci-fi' s first big ...
23/11/2025

The time is approaching.....the release of 'Tooth and Claw'!!!! The story of 'The Museum of Classic Sci-fi' s first big exhibition beyond the walls of the museum itself and the celebration of Reeltime Pictures' 40th anniversary....a fabulous summer where we were joined by Sophie Aldred and Rob Allsopp alongside so many friends and supporters of both the Museum and Reeltime Pictures. The exhibition boasted the largest number of restored pieces I had done to date - in the shortest time! - 🤣 And I was aided and abetted with fabulous contributions from Bedwyr Gullidge , Keith Lawler and John Hogg in the prop and costume exhibition. I also managed to stage the largest exhibtion of my original book artwork from both my self-penned 'It Belongs in a Museum' and Sophies- 'Ace Jacket'. Working closely with dear friend Keith Barnfather....the DVD chronicles all aspect of the exhibition, interviews and special event day that featured master sculptors Philip Robinson, Ray Phillips and of course....Jonny Banes wonderful JonnyWho cast of monsters!!!!

Adding new lighting to murky areas and prepping for new exhibits today!
21/11/2025

Adding new lighting to murky areas and prepping for new exhibits today!

Ive been incredibly fortunate with the press over the last month or so....and today just the biggest thank you to Natali...
20/11/2025

Ive been incredibly fortunate with the press over the last month or so....and today just the biggest thank you to Natalie Finnigan at the Hexham Courant for this lovely article- amazing to think 10 years ago I first kicked off the museum project!!!!

Just a huge thank you to Keith Barnfather for all his involvement in the Museum. Spent a lovely weekend recording materi...
19/11/2025

Just a huge thank you to Keith Barnfather for all his involvement in the Museum. Spent a lovely weekend recording material for the upcoming documentary 'Tooth and Claw' - and I was even more thrilled to be able to film in our living room .....that I had just painted several shades of green!!!! Really lovely looking back on our previous releases 'Doctor on Display' and 'The Monster Man'!

Frosty Balls!!! The boys a bit chilly this mornkng!!! Obligatory photo from Necros/Hoth or Spiridon (delete as per prefe...
19/11/2025

Frosty Balls!!! The boys a bit chilly this mornkng!!! Obligatory photo from Necros/Hoth or Spiridon (delete as per preference).... Stay safe on the roads fellow time travellers!!!!

OK....to be VERY clear...this article (for which I am nevertheless very grateful!) states that the museum is THE largest...
18/11/2025

OK....to be VERY clear...this article (for which I am nevertheless very grateful!) states that the museum is THE largest collection of Doctor Who stuff....it simply is NOT!!!😂 How I describe the Museum collection is that it is a SIGNIFICANT collection of production items! This was a case if journalism getting a little over excited!!!! To be honest, I have no interest in being ' the biggest' or 'the best'....I just hope the Museum collection is genuinely interesting and worthwhile for fellow fans and the general passerby! Without doubt the museum now houses many unique and important historic pieces....but for me, it is quality not scale that counts!!!

....and on the desk this morning....for 'It Belongs in a Museum' vol 2.....
18/11/2025

....and on the desk this morning....for 'It Belongs in a Museum' vol 2.....

Recording of Reeltime Pictures 'Tooth and Claw' happening today at the Museum! Right now...a rare interview with my wond...
16/11/2025

Recording of Reeltime Pictures 'Tooth and Claw' happening today at the Museum! Right now...a rare interview with my wonderful and beautiful wife Lisa about putting up with a nutter trying to stage a Doctor Who exhibtion whilst simultaneously running an SF museum simultaneously!!!! # # #

The boys feeling a little damp this morning following a deluge courtesy of storm Claudia.... Robby getting ready to open...
15/11/2025

The boys feeling a little damp this morning following a deluge courtesy of storm Claudia.... Robby getting ready to open up and stick the heater on!!!!

Wow!!! Here's a little flashback to 6 years ago!!!! There's been quite a lot happened since....but fascinating to revisi...
13/11/2025

Wow!!! Here's a little flashback to 6 years ago!!!! There's been quite a lot happened since....but fascinating to revisit!!! One word....HAIR!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣

We go up north to meet Neil Cole. He is living every nerds dream of owning his own science fiction Museum!!He has amazing classic Doctor Who props that were ...

Lovely news yesterday that our little documentary.... 'The Monster Man' had received another award. Filmed in the Museum...
11/11/2025

Lovely news yesterday that our little documentary.... 'The Monster Man' had received another award. Filmed in the Museum in Allendale it basically documents my shenanigans trying to rescue old Doctor Who monsters!!! What's incredible about it all is thinking of all the cinemas and indie film festivals across the globe that have screened my madcap efforts!!! I've been most lucky that Keith Barnfather saw something in what I was trying to achieve and helped propel the museum project into places I could never have expected.... I am very grateful. It turns out that ' The Monster Man' has acquired several awards now...and here for the curious (and posterity!) is a list of them!!!! Also massive thanks to Roger Christopher Stevens and Alex Storer the other driving forces behind this little Film!!!
THE MONSTER MAN – LIST OF AWARDS

Best Documentary - Winner
Hollywood Blood Horror Festival

Galileo Award of 2024 – Best Documentary
Los Angeles Sci-Fi Film Festival

Best Unusual Interest Film – Winner
Geek Fest Universe

Oscar Season Europa Prize Best Documentary - Winner
Los Angeles Sci-Fi Film Festival

Best Documentary Short - Winner
The Outer Rim Film Festival

Oscar Season Best Documentary Short Film - Winner
United States Motion Picture Alliance

Best Short Documentary - Winner
Cult Movies International Film Festival

Best Medium Length Documentary - 2nd Place
First Monthly Film Festival

Best Documentary - Honourable Mention
Future of Film Awards

Best Documentary Short - Finalist
Independent Film Awards

Best Documentary Short - Finalist
Art Film Awards

Best Short Documentary – Official Selection
The New York Science Fiction and Horror Film Festival

Best Documentary Short – Official Selection
Beyond Earth Film Festival

Best Sound Design - Winner
First Monthly Film Festival

Best Sound Design - Winner
Future of Film Awards

Best Sound Design - Finalist
Art Film Awards

Best Poster - Winner
First Monthly Film Festival

Best Poster - Winner
Hollywood Blood Horror Festival

Best Poster - Winner
Future of Film Awards

Best Poster - Finalist
Art Film Awards

Blimey!!!!

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

Website

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Our Story

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