Calling all culture vultures and local history enthusiasts! Heritage Open Days returns this September – here’s a round up of what’s happening in and around Newcastle.
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, now in its 30th year.
Taking place from 6th to 15th September 2024, this is your chance to access a range of heritage events and cultural activities for free.
It’s run by the National Trust and supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, with organisations and volunteers delivering the jam-packed line-up locally.
So, if there’s a building in Newcastle you’ve always wanted to visit, you’re curious to learn more about the city’s rich past, or you’re simply looking for something interesting to do – there’s certain to be a Heritage Open Day event for you during this month’s 10-day festival!
What's on in 2024
More than 90 events are currently listed as taking place within 10 miles of Newcastle and over 180 within 25 miles (with more listings likely to be added in the coming days), so you have plenty of choice.
From parks and cemeteries to theatres and a lighthouse, there’s a real mix of local landmarks, visitor attractions and heritage sites taking part.
Even if you’ve been to a particular historic building before, you might be tempted back by the unique, one-off events they have lined up especially for this year’s festival.
Plus, some of these places aren’t usually open to the public, so this is an opportunity to go behind the scenes and gain unprecedented access!
Make sure you also check the events directory on the Heritage Open Days website in case you need to pre-book anything.
10 local highlights from this year's programme
- Tour the birthplace of world-famous railway engineer George Stephenson by visiting his cottage in Wylam
- Delve into the history of Newcastle’s West End with free film screenings at West End Customer Service Centre
- Join a one-hour stroll in Saltwell Park and learn about local artist Charlie Rogers
- Walk around Newcastle’s Town Wall and find out how it was built and protected the town from invaders
- Visit the Grade II listed Cullercoats Watch House, filled with artefacts and local history books
- Discover the fascinating story of 36 Lime Street in the Ouseburn, which dates back to the 1840s
- Explore Blackfriars’ turbulent past, a 13th-century former Dominican friary in Newcastle city centre
- Enjoy panoramic views from Dunston Staiths – Britain‘s largest wooden structure
- Visit Derwentcote Steel Furnace – the earliest steel-making furnace to have survived in Britain
- Hear stories about the people buried beneath Ballast Hills in a music and poetry performance
Hopefully, this pocket guide has piqued your interest! For more information about Heritage Open Days, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk.
