Tyne & Wear

Properties and events in Tyne & Wear

Before heading out for your Heritage Open Days visit, please check entries for last-minute changes.

Print selected events below

'Churchyard Mysteries' - All-Age Guided Tour

Newcastle Cathedral, St Nicholas Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 1PF
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Enjoy a fascinating tour through the Cathedral churchyard. Was Queen Victoria truly unamused by her visits to Newcastle? Why does a ‘Vampire Rabbit’ overlook the Cathedral? Meet us in St Nicholas Square and join us in exploring the Cathedral grounds!

1825 George Stephenson's Stockton to Darlington Railway, talk by Amanda Hepburn

Newcastle City Library, Charles Avison Building, 33 New Bridge Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 8AX
In person
Pre-booking required

In 2025 we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, join Amanda to find out about George Stephenson's fascinating achievements.

A Heritage Stroll Around Saltwell Park led by Ian Daley

Saltwell Park, East Park Road, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE9 5AX
In person
Pre-booking required

A one-hour stroll around Saltwell Park, exploring its fascinating history, hosted by Ian Daley.

A Library for the Future : Children's Vision for Jesmond Library

Jesmond Library, St. Georges Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE2 2DL
In person
Pre-booking not required

Exhibition and informal talk celebrating the creativity of Year 5 students from Newcastle Preparatory School as part of the RIBA Architecture Ambassador Programme.

A Musical Party at Bessie Surtees House

Bessie Surtees House, 41-44 Sandhill, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 3JF
In person
Pre-booking not required

A display and discussion on musical instruments in a seventeenth century domestic household at Bessie Surtees House

A Tour and talk, from Roman Milecastle to Arts Centre

Newcastle Arts Centre, 67-69 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 1SG
In person
Pre-booking required

The history of the Arts Centre site goes back to the building of Hadrian’s Wall and a Milecastle Courtyard that is still in use. The fascinating story of this political, mercantile and cultural powerhouse is told on a guided tour.

A Walk in the Park

Leazes Park, Richardson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE2 4BJ
In person
Pre-booking not required

A Heritage Walk in the Park covering the history of the first People's Park in Newcastle, its setting in the Leazes Conservation Area and some of its flora & fauna

African Footsteps

Royal Station Hotel, Neville Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 5DH
In person
Pre-booking not required

Follow in the footsteps of Paul Robeson, Frederick Douglass, and 18th–20th century African and Caribbean residents and students. This heritage walk celebrates the people and places that shaped history in Newcastle.

All Saints Church, Newcastle upon Tyne

All Saints Presbyterian Church, Akenside Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 3UF
In person
Pre-booking not required

Visitors can enjoy the grandeur and beauty of the only elliptical church in England, whilst being guided through its history.

An Architectural Tour of Old Sunderland

Holy Trinity Church, Church Street East, Skelton on Ure, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR1 2BB
In person
Pre-booking required

Join Peter and Hillary Turton on a short walk around the East End of Sunderland and see the architectural gems still remaining in the area. These include the first purpose-built masonic lodge in the world, the original Trafalgar Square and buildings

Arbeia Roman Fort

Arbeia Roman Fort & Museum, Baring Street, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 2BB
In person
Pre-booking required

Free tour of Arbeia Roman Fort.

Architecture by Industrial Railway Engineers - Five Centuries with the World's Oldest Railway at Tanfield

Tanfield Railway, Marley Hill, Burdon Plain A6076, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE16 5ET
In person
Pre-booking not required

Our section of Tanfield Railway celebrates its 300th anniversary this year, making it the oldest operating railway in the world, but the whole route spans five centuries. Visit to learn more about our development historically and now.

Ballast Hills Burial Ground Poetry and Music Performance: Beneath This Ground

Albion Row, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE6 1LL
In person
Pre-booking not required

Join us at Ballast Hills Burial Ground for Beneath This Ground, a moving performance of poetry and fiddle music inspired by the lives of 40,000 people buried here, bringing their stories to life in this historic and atmospheric setting.

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art: Building History and Behind the Scenes Tour

Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art, South Shore Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE8 3BA
In person
Pre-booking required

Join us for an exclusive behind the scenes look at Baltic. You'll learn about the history of the building and the regeneration of the Quayside area.

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art: Quayside Tour

South Shore Road, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE8 3BA
In person
Pre-booking required

Explore the NewcastleGateshead Quayside and local history as Baltic Crew take you on this relaxed tour.

Behind the Books Tours

23 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 1SE
In person
Pre-booking required

Join one of our expert guides to find out about the fascinating history of one of Newcastle's hidden gems.

Behind the Scenes with Progressive Players @ Little Theatre Gateshead

2-4 Saltwell View, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE8 4JS
In person
Pre-booking not required

Have a tour of the only theatre to be built and to open during WW2. The Little Theatre Gateshead was built as a permanent home for the Progressive Players by the influential Dodds Sisters.

Bensham Grove Community Centre/ The newly discovered history of Bensham Grove Settlement 1919-1950

Sidney Grove, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE8 2XD
In person
Pre-booking not required

Come and hear about Babies, Art and J.B.Priestly. The first Nursery in the North-East, the Unemployed Men's Club, Music, Dancing, and Strong Women. All at Bensham Grove Community Centre, Bensham, Gateshead.

Birkheads Secret Garden

5 Birkheads Cottages, Near Sunniside, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE165EL
In person
Pre-booking not required

Visit Birkheads Secret Gardens to see the transformation of a former opencast mining site. The completed restoration is now a rural haven for wildlife, locals & international tourist attraction. Sept. 12-14th and Sept.18th-21st 1100-1500.

Blackfriars Restaurant

Blackfriars, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 4XN
In person
Pre-booking required

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.