Everything You Need to Know About: Heritage Open Days in Newcastle
Make the most of Heritage Open Days in Newcastle with our handy guide
Heritage Open Days, England’s biggest community-led festival of history and culture, returns from 12th-21st September.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore your local area like never before and Newcastle – a city rich in both history and culture – embraces the festival wholeheartedly, with dozens of venues and organisations offering all kinds of interesting activities.
To help you make the most of Heritage Open Days in Newcastle, we’ve put together a handy guide – from which city centre venues are taking part to what kinds of events and activities are happening.
What is Heritage Open Days?
Established in 1994, Heritage Open Days is a free festival that sees thousands of volunteers and organisations across England host events, activities and tours that highlight their local community’s heritage, history and culture.
Each year, the festival is centred around a different theme and this year’s is Architecture – an exploration of the ways we've designed and built the world around us.
When is Heritage Open Days taking place?
This year, Heritage Open Days takes place from Friday 12th September to Sunday 21th September – that’s 10 whole days to soak up the city’s rich history and vibrant culture!
Where is it happening?
Heritage Open Days is an England-wide event and there’s lots happening in the North East, plus plenty to enjoy in Newcastle city centre.
What events and activities are happening?
There are so many interesting things to do during Heritage Open Days in Newcastle that you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Many legendary local venues are throwing open their doors to the public and hosting exclusive guided tours. You could explore the Victorian stage machinery at Tyne Theatre & Opera House, discover what’s behind the door of the High Bridge Works, or learn about Blackfriars’ rich history as a former Dominican friary.
Plenty of walking tours are taking place too if you fancy stretching your legs a bit during Heritage Open Days. Explore locations like Leazes Park and Grainger Town or take tours focusing on specific aspects of our city’s makeup and history including its regeneration over the past 60 years and the historical contributions of its African population.
But wait, that’s not all! If you’ve ever wanted to take a deep dive into the collections of some of the city’s most iconic venues and museums, now is your chance. The Farrell Centre, for example, is hosting two handling sessions - one exploring a collection of objects from its namesake and acclaimed architect Sir Terry Farrell and the other exploring objects from its recent Concrete Dreams exhibition - while the Discovery Museum is inviting visitors to join its archivists and learn more about the iconic bridges that connect the North East region.
See? We weren’t lying when we said you’ll be spoilt for choice!
How much does it cost?
One of the best things about Heritage Open Days is that all events and activities are completely free. However, some do require booking so it’s best to check individual event listings on the Heritage Open Days website for any booking details.
We’re lucky to live in a city with such rich history and culture, and Heritage Open Days is the perfect excuse to soak it all up. For more information about events happening in Newcastle city centre, visit the Heritage Open Days website.
Main image: Newcastle Castle, Photo by Hans Peter Schaefer via Wikimedia Commons / GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
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