'Heritage Open Days' is back for 2024, with dozens of buildings across Newcastle and Gateshead not normally accessible to the public, set to open their doors. In addition to these exclusive not to be missed cultural experiences, some of the city's most popular landmarks and attractions are offering the chance to experience their enriching historic and cultural offerings for free.
What is 'Heritage Open Days'?
'Heritage Open Days' is England's largest festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life.
When do they take place?
This year, they are taking place from 6-15 September 2024 with a host of exciting events and experiences happening every day. We recommend checking the date and times of your chosen event with the attraction or museum before setting off.
Which attractions are taking part in NewcastleGateshead?
Some of NewcastleGateshead's biggest and best attractions are taking part during Heritage Open Days, including Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Grainger Market, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and Newcastle Cathedral to name a few, along with the likes of the historic Newcastle Guild Hall opening its doors for the festival of history and culture. You can discover the full list of events and attractions taking part closest to you here.
With so many interesting events taking place across Heritage Open Days, we've created a list of 10 not to be missed events in NewcastleGateshead to get you inspired.
1. Tyne Theatre and Opera House
Head to Tyne Theatre and Opera House to visit one of the very few surviving examples of Victorian wooden modular stage machinery - re-restored through a recent heritage project. Listen carefully as you hear a demonstration of the Thunder Run (the clue's in the name!) from the auditorium and watch a short video of the stage machinery in action, filmed earlier this year. This hour long tour also lets you search on their new production database for your theatre ancestors, favourite Victorian actors or simply find out about 'submarine dramas'! If that wasn;t enough, you can also hear about the recent development work including the plans for the historic 'Grand Saloon'.
Timings & Tours
Friday 06 September: tours at 09:30, 11:30, 14:00, 15:30
Book your place here.
2. Grainger Market
The Grainger Market was designed by John Dobson and built in the 1835 as part of an ambitious plan to improve Newcastle’s cityscape. The market has been at the heart of Newcastle ever since and you can find the same trades today that were available when it opened – butchers, opticians, fruit, sweets, boots and dairy products. The Evening Chronicle, described it at its launch as “the most beautiful (covered market) in the world”. Its opening was celebrated with a huge dinner on 22 October 1835 attended by over 2,000 guests. Book up and find out some of the fascinating history of the market.
When is it taking place?
Friday 06 September: 13:00
Saturday 07 September: 13:00
Monday 09 September: 13:00
Tuesday 10 September: 13:00
Wednesday 11 September: 13:00
Thursday 12 September: 13:00
Friday 13 September: 13:00
Saturday 14 September: 13:00
Please email denise.tymon@newcastle.gov.uk to book your tour.
3. Heritage Tour of Tyneside Cinema
Tyneside Cinema is a unique and historic building that’s well worth seeing first-hand. Take a tour around the beautiful Art Deco venue with one of their expert tour guides. The Heritage Tours are a wonderful opportunity to explore the rich history of the building. Have a look at the restored Art Deco features of this beautiful cinema in all its glory, take a peek behind the scenes of the Cinema, see the permanent exhibition which brings the building’s past and newsreel history to life and look around the original Classic screen from 1937 where you can also watch an original archive newsreel.
Timings and Tours
Saturday 07 September:11:00
Sunday 08 September:11:00
Monday 09 September:11:00
Tuesday 10 September:11:00
Wednesday 11 September:11:
Thursday 12 September:11:00
Friday 13 September:11:00
Saturday 14 September:11:00
4. Tour of Blackfriars 13th Century Former-Dominican Friary's Heritage
Enjoy a 45 minute tour of Blackfriars unique 13th century former-Dominican friary's heritage with a walk through it's medieval spaces and an explanation of its past to present.
Explore the long and turbulent history of Blackfriars, a 13th-century former Dominican friary from its medieval origins, right up to the present day. Dating back to 1239, Blackfriars lays claim to being the oldest dining room in the UK, the jewel in Newcastle’s medieval past, and a stalwart of the local dining scene. To enhance the visitor experience, Blackfriars are also launching a digital 3D model of the precinct of Blackfriars former 13th-century friary to be used by an augmented-reality (AR) ‘trail’ app which will provide online content for people visiting the site both online and physically through a self-guided historical tour of the precinct. Enjoy a 45-minute tour of a this Grade I Scheduled Ancient Monument.
When is it taking place?
Friday 06 September:11am
Friday 13 September:11am
Pre-booking preferred
Booking conditions:Places are limited to 12 guests on each event - pre-booking highly recommended.
Booking contact name:Laura race / Reservations team
Booking telephone number:+441912615945
Booking email:info@blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk
5. Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art: Building History and Behind the Scenes Tour
Join BALTIC for an exclusive behind the scenes tour. You'll learn about the history of the building and the regeneration of the Quayside area. Led by a member of Baltic Crew, you’ll explore areas of the building which are normally out of bounds, and hear stories from its past as a flour mill to its present as an art gallery.
Timings and tours
Saturday 07 September:11:00-12:00
Sunday 08 September:11:00-12:00
Saturday 14 September:11:00-12:00
Sunday 15 September:11:00-12:00
6. Tyne and Wear Archives: Travel through the archives!
Join archivists at Discovery Museum for a special event highlighting their shipping, railway and other transport collections. Through maps, plans, drawings, and documents, come and explore the history of transport and travel in the region. This will be followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the archive stores.
Pre-booking essential, booking closes 24 hours before the start of the event.
Timings and Tours
Thursday 12 September:11:00 - 13:00]
7. Farrell Centre's Cultural Campus
Explore the hidden heritage of Newcastle University’s Cultural Corner. Take a guided route through Newcastle University's architectural and historic gems; from The Farrell Centre to the Schools of Architecture and Fine Art. A member of the Farrell Centre team will tour you through these iconic buildings, offering insights into their history and unique access to the historic studios not usually open to the public! Return to the Farrell Centre for refreshments and an opportunity to create a badge inspired by our collection of Tyneside maps.
Timings and Tours
Friday 06 September:1300-1400
Friday 13 September:1300-1400
8. Dunston Staiths
Enjoy panoramic river views from this iconic, Grade ll listed, scheduled monument on the River Tyne at Dunston, Gateshead. Refreshments available from nearby Staiths Café. Discover a Grade II scheduled monument on the River Tyne at Dunston, Gateshead, this Heritage Open Days.
Please Note: Exposed location - poor weather conditions (rain or high winds) may require closure.
Wooden decking - wear strong shoes
Timings and tours
Saturday 14 September:1000-1500
Pre-booking not required
9. A Heritage Stroll Around Saltwell Park led by Ian Daley
A one-hour stroll around Saltwell Park, exploring its fascinating history, hosted by Ian Daley. This year's walk will also focus on local artist Charlie Rogers who lived very close to Saltwell Park and regularly painted scenes inside it. Take a stroll through the finest Victorian park in the North East and learn about the stained-glass manufacturer William Wailes who designed his own mansion in a landscaped garden that became Saltwell Park. The walk led by local historian and Chair of the Friends of Saltwell Park Ian Daley, will include many of the 12 Listed buildings and structures in Saltwell Park and the changes that have occurred since it was opened in 1876. The walk will also focus on local artist Charlie Rogers who lived very close to Saltwell Park for most of his life and painted innumerable sketches of the park, its key locations, and park users.
Timings and Tours
Saturday 07 September:1100-1230
You can pre-book a place via the email orchard@friendsofsaltwellpark.co.uk to Stewart.
Alternatively, you can turn up on the day, on the 7th of September at/before 11 am at the North-East gates to Saltwell Park, opposite the Little Theatre. Both of these are subjects of Charlie Rogers's paintings in the photos on this page. The walk/talk is free.
10. The Lost History of Bensham Grove Settlement
Bensham Grove is a villa with Arts and Crafts features in the heart of Gateshead, which has had many famous visitors over its 200 year history, including two prime ministers! It is a well-loved, busy and renowned multicultural Arts Community Learning Centre with a unique and welcoming atmosphere. Over the years, many art projects have been added to the interior of the house, giving it a tangible place in the hearts of learners passing through; informed guides will be available during the open day to answer questions about this wonderful building and the people who lived here. A Heritage Lottery grant funded the restoration of the ground floor in 2012, and the first floor was restored in 2022. Volunteers are now working on a new funding application to restore the attic spaces to new and wider audiences as they work together to research and gather information about the lost history of the settlers. There is a lovely garden, and they will have light refreshments on sale for visitors.
Timings and Tours
Saturday 14 September:1000-15:30
Pre-booking not required
Don't miss your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences in NewcastleGateshead – and don't forget, it’s all FREE. You can discover the full list of Heritage Open Days events taking place in NewcastleGateshead here.
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