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- 11th Sep 2026
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Free Heritage Open Days return this month: the North East venues to visit
Every September, Heritage Open Days lets you behind the doors of some of the North East’s most fascinating buildings, the ones you’ll usually only see from the pavement.
Merchants’ houses that have stood since the 1600s, hidden art galleries, archives and lighthouses tucked along the coast: for one weekend a year, they’re all free to explore.
We’ve rounded up what’s on across Newcastle and beyond, so you can plan your days out without missing the good stuff.
WHAT IS HERITAGE OPEN DAYS?
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest free festival of history and culture, running every September since 1994. Thousands of volunteers and organisations across the country throw open buildings, sites and archives that are either usually closed to the public or normally charge an entrance fee, alongside guided walks, talks and hands-on activities celebrating local heritage.
It’s run by the National Trust and supported by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, with a different theme each year to help shape the programme. For 2026, that theme is Everyday Histories, exploring the working lives of ordinary people through the ages, from factory floors and kitchens to shipyards, and the stories that don’t always make it into the history books.
All Saints Church
Akenside Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3UF
Date: Friday 11th September 2026
Newcastle’s own All Saints Church is unusual in its own right as it’s the only elliptical church in England. Built in the late 18th century by architect David Stephenson, the church lost its congregation in 1961 and has stood closed to regular worship ever since. Heritage Open Days allows us the chance to admire its grand arched windows, elliptical nave and abandoned organ up close.
Seaton Delaval Hall
The Avenue, Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay, Northumberland NE26 4QR
Date: Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September 2026
Sir John Vanbrugh’s theatrical Seaton Delaval Hall waives its usual entry fee for two days, giving visitors free rein to explore the world of the Gay Delavals, a family famed for mischief, playfulness and Georgian excess. Wander the West Wing to meet the family through their portrait collection, take in the late-summer gardens, or join a drop-in potted history talk or garden tour to hear more about the house and the people who lived there.
Woodhorn Museum
Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, Ashington, Northumberland NE63 9YF
Date: Saturday 12th September 2026
Woodhorn Museum throws open its doors for a free day celebrating Northumberland’s coal mining heritage, with plenty going on beyond the usual galleries. Watch the Northumbria Lacemakers demonstrate their craft, browse a wellbeing fair hosted by Northumberland Wildlife Trust, or join a pop-up tour of A Community of Coal, told through the objects and stories of the Woodhorn collection. There’s also a centenary exhibition marking 100 years of the High Spen Miners Dance, with fourth-generation custodian Ricky Forster on hand to share the family history behind it.
The Banqueting House
Gibside, Burnopfield, Newcastle upon Tyne NE16 6AA
Date: Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September 2026
A rare chance to see inside this Gothic folly, designed around 1750 by Daniel Garrett for wealthy coal magnate George Bowes. Rescued from dereliction by the Landmark Trust and now let out for holidays, its elegant sitting room offers a glimpse of how 18th-century ladies and gentlemen would have experienced it on their tour of the estate. Set within National Trust Gibside, park in the free car park and take a scenic walk to reach it.
The Bowes Museum
Newgate, Barnard Castle, County Durham DL12 8NP
Date: Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September 2026
Barnard Castle’s Bowes Museum celebrates Heritage Open Days with two full days of history, creativity and discovery, including guided tours of the museum and parkland, exclusive Vault Tours and three performances of the iconic Silver Swan. There’s plenty of hands-on fun too, from Artist Maker workshops to an Object Handling Table, plus Norman Cornish: A Life in Sketchbooks, celebrating one of County Durham’s best-loved artists.
Durham University, Museum of Archaeology
Palace Green, County Durham DH1 3RN
Date: Saturday 12th September 2026
Celebrating the reopening of its upstairs gallery, Durham University’s Museum of Archaeology hosts a free family day packed with hands-on activities, curator tours and special displays. An accessible way to get behind the scenes of the region’s archaeological collections, and a great one for curious kids.
Ryhope Engines Museum
The Waterworks, Ryhope, Sunderland SR2 0ND
Date: Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September 2026
Ryhope Pumping Station once provided water to Wearside for a century, and this is your chance to see its two giant 1868 Woolf Compound beam engines working under real steam power, exactly as they have done since Victorian times. Explore galleries of static engines, wooden water pipes and a working blacksmith’s shop, then round off your visit with a cuppa at the on-site Gatehouse tearooms.
Railway of the Year 2026: Tanfield Railway
Marley Hill, Burdon Plain A6076, Newcastle upon Tyne NE16 5ET
Date: Sunday 13th, Thursday 17th and Sunday 20th September 2026
The oldest operating railway in the world, dating back to 1725, was recently named Railway of the Year 2026 by the Heritage Railway Association. Visit and learn about its journey from horse-drawn wooden waggonways to the steam locomotives still running today, with volunteer-led tours and activities throughout. Note that train travel itself isn’t included as standard, though it’s available separately if you fancy extending the visit.
Roker Pier and Lighthouse
Marine Walk, Roker, Sunderland SR6 0PL
Date: Sunday 13th September 2026
Roker Pier and Lighthouse’s volunteers open up the glass entrance building to the tunnel under the pier, along with the ground floor of the Lighthouse itself, both normally off-limits except during pre-booked tours. Step into the dark, atmospheric tunnel, admire the inside of the Lighthouse, and chat to the volunteer guides.
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art: Building History and Behind the Scenes Tour
South Shore Road, Gateshead NE8 3BA
Date: Sunday 13th and Sunday 20th September 2026
Led by a member of BALTIC’s crew, this tour takes you into areas of the building normally off-limits to visitors, uncovering its story from working flour mill to one of the region’s most-loved contemporary art galleries. Suitable for all ages, with content adapted depending on who’s in the group.
Stage And Story: A Promenade through Time
109-119 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4AG
Date: Tuesday 15th September 2026
Step behind the curtain of Tyne Theatre and Opera House with expert guides, discovering parts of the building you didn’t know existed. Along the way, dramatic encounters bring to life the stories of historic staff, including Miss Hart, the Victorian Box Office manager, and William Guthrie, the Front of House intendant. You’ll also see the one-of-a-kind Victorian stage machinery in action, with live demonstrations from the volunteer team, before finishing with refreshments or lunch at the 1867 Café.
A Sweet Tooth: William Cowe and the Berwick Cockle
The Straw Yard, Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1DF
Date: Tuesday 15th September 2026
For over 200 years, Berwick Cockles, a traditional peppermint sweet, were made in a tiny room behind Bridge Street. A charming slice of local history, these sweets were a must-have souvenir of any Berwick visit and even caught the attention of royalty.
High Bridge Works Heritage Display & Tour
39 High Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1EW
Date: Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th September 2026
A hub for makers, creators and thinkers, High Bridge Works has been home to pioneers since 1767. Join a free tour to learn about the Grade II listed building’s varied histories, from Watson’s Works to Ward’s Printers, before it reinvented itself as the creative hub it is today, home to Newcastle Contemporary Art and studios for painters, filmmakers, designers and architects.
Newcastle Castle Self-Guided Tour
The Black Gate, Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1RQ
Date: Thursday 17th September 2026
For one day only, Newcastle Castle waives the usual entry fee to both the Castle Keep and the Black Gate, two of the city’s most iconic medieval structures. Wind your way up ancient staircases and through centuries-old chambers, uncovering exhibitions on the site’s Roman roots and medieval past, before the reward at the top: sweeping views across the Tyne and the city skyline. The Black Gate is fully accessible, though the Keep’s uneven, ancient floors make it less suitable for limited mobility.
Alderman Fenwick’s House
98-100 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6SQ
Date: Friday 18th September 2026
A surviving example of an original 17th-century merchant’s house, Alderman Fenwick’s House offers an exclusive guided tour for Heritage Open Days. Visitors are welcomed into the grand entrance hall before taking in the Grade I-listed Great Room and heading up to the rooftop platform for panoramic views across the city.
Trinity House Guided Tour
Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3DQ
Date: Saturday 19th September 2026
A true hidden gem, Trinity House is a Grade I-listed building that’s been on its present site since 1505, home to a historic maritime organisation. Explore stunning spaces including its chapel and banqueting hall, alongside a collection of maritime paintings and artefacts.
The Chantry: A Glimpse of the Heritage of Morpeth
Bridge Street, Morpeth NE61 1PD
Date: Saturday 19th September 2026
Poets in role and full costume bring Morpeth’s history to life, exploring the town’s well-known people and buildings through performance rather than a standard tour. A nice change of pace if you’ve had your fill of guided walks and museum visits.
Alnwick Mechanics’ Institute
5 Percy Street, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1AE
Date: Saturday 19th September 2026
Two centuries ago, Alnwick was at the forefront of a movement that laid the foundations for further education across Britain. This is your opportunity to see behind the famous green door and learn the story of a remarkable institution.
Alnwick Playhouse
Bondgate Without, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1PQ
Date: Saturday 19th September 2026
Explore behind the scenes of this much-loved theatre, with backstage tours and demonstrations offering a look at how the Playhouse actually runs. A good one for anyone who’s ever wondered what happens beyond the curtain.
Bailiffgate Museum and Gallery
14 Bailiffgate, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1LX
Date: Saturday 19th September 2026
Bailiffgate tells the story of 10,000 years of Alnwick’s history, housed in a Grade II listed former church. Two floors take you through the area’s past via artefacts, documents, photographs and audio-visual displays, while the top floor gallery hosts a changing exhibition, currently featuring local artist Kev Oldham’s atmospheric seascapes and sunlit buildings.
Lake Tree Walk in Saltwell Park’s 150th Year
Saltwell View, Gateshead NE9 5AX
Date: Saturday 19th September 2026
This year, Saltwell Park celebrates 150 years as “The People’s Park”, and this walk takes in 16 trees of note across the Grade II listed Victorian park, designed by Edward Kemp in 1876. Starting at the entrance opposite the Little Theatre, you’ll learn about the park’s history alongside its boating lake and Gothic Saltwell Towers mansion. Pre-booking required, with numbers limited to 12.
Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre
Spa Well Road, Winlaton Mill, Blaydon-on-Tyne NE21 6RU
Date: Sunday 20th September 2026
Bring along your own family history, photographs, diaries, journals, letters and heirlooms to spark conversations with the Land of Oak & Iron Trust about the area’s industrial past. A lovely, community-led way to close out the festival.
Molly Ferry
CONTENT ASSISTANT
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