Exploring Heritage Open Days this September in the North East and North Yorkshire
- Kelly
- 14 minutes ago
- 5 min read
If you have tweens or teens at home, you already know the golden rule of family days out: Anything that feels like a babyish activity or a dry history lecture gets an immediate eye roll.
That's what makes heritage open days so fantastic. Running every September across England, it opens up the secret doors you normally walk straight past, underground wartime tunnels, creepy prison cells, Victorian theatre trapdoors and roaring live steam engines. Best of all most of the events are completely free!
What Are Heritage Open Days?
Heritage Open Days are an annual event across England that allows free access to places of historical interest. In the North East and North Yorkshire, this means visitors can explore castles, churches, museums, and industrial heritage sites that tell the story of the region’s development over centuries. The event usually takes place over several days in September, with a wide variety of activities including guided tours, talks, workshops, and exhibitions.
Here is some standout events taking place that I think would be fantastic for those with older kids (or without)
Click on the HERE to find your event and more info
Newcastle & Gateshead
Victoria Tunnel WWII Taster Tours
Where: Ouse Street, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle
When: Tuesday 15th September 12pm-3pm
Drop in with no pre booking required
Ballast Hills burial grounds Beneath this ground
Where: Between Albion Row & Ford Street Newcastle
When: 19th September
Drop in
(Expect Poetry, Live music and stories)
Tyne Theatre & Opera House: Secret stage machinery tour
Where: Westgate road, Newcastle
When: Tuesday 15th September from 10am-3pm
Pre booking is required via the theatre box office
The common Room / wood memorial hall
Where: Westgate Road Newcastle
When: Selected dates from mid September
No booking required, just drop in.
(Expect massive hogwarts library vibes, interactive STEM exhibits and more)
Newcastle Cathedral Church yard Mysteries tour
Where: St Nicholas Square
When: Selected dates across the festival
Pre booking is preferred
Segedunum Roman Fort Free Entry
Where: Segedunum Fort
When: Multiple dates
Drop In
Dunston Staithes
Where: Staithes, south bank, Dunston
When: weekend open days
Drop in with no pre booking needed
Gibside - Crypt tours & historic ruins
Where: Near Rowlands Gill
When: Throughout the festival
Free Entry with no pre booking required
South & North Tyneside
Souter Lighthouse - Foghorn engines room
Where: coast road, Whitburn
When: Festival weekends
Free Entry
Tynemouth volunteer life brigade watch house
Where: Spanish Battery, Tynemouth
When:Selected festival dates
Drop in, no booking required
Jarrow Hall & Anglo Saxon Village
Where: Church Bank, Jarrow
When: Saturday 19th -Sunday 20th September
Free Entry, Drop in
Old Low light Heritage Centre
Where: Cliffords Fort
When: Weekend dates
Drop In
St Hildas Pit Head
Where: South Shields
When: 11th September
Pre Booking is preferred
Sunderland & County Durham
Meet The Royal Metro - North East Land, Sea & Air Museum
Where: Washington Road Sunderland
When: 12th-13th September
Book on the Day (No word on if it's free entry, so please contact the museum for more info)
Ryhope Engines Museum
Where: Waterworks road, Ryhope
When:12th-13th September
Free admission, Drop in
Crook Hall - Free Entry
Where: Durham
When: Multiple dates
Drop in
Roker Pier & Subterranean tunnel
Where: Marine Walk, Roker
When:13th September 10am-4pm
Drop in access to the tunnel entrance & lighthouse ground floor
Washington old hall
Where:The Avenue, Washington village
When: selected dates
Free admission, drop in
Tanfield Railway: Marley Hill enginesheds & footplates
Where: Marley Hill
When selected dates throughout
Free entry to the sheds and site
Bowes Railway
Where: Springwell village
When: Thursday - Sundays during festival dates
Drop In
Aycliffe Bus Museum
Where: Newton Aycliffe
When: 12th-13th September
Drop in
The Story - Archive Store vaults
Where: South Road, Durham
When: 13th Spetember
Pre booking & photo ID is required
The Mighty Wurlitzer - Theatre Pipe organ
Where: Crook
When:19th September
Drop In
Durham Town Hall & Hidden magistrate cells
Where: Market Place, Durham
When: Selected dates
Drop In
Northumberland
Hexham old Gaol House of correction tours
Where:Hailgate/St Andrews Cemetary
When:12th September
Pre booking is essential
Cherryburn - Free Entry
Where: Station Bank, Cherryburn
When: Selected dates
Drop In
Wallington - Free Entry
Where: Wallington, Northumberland
When: Selected dates
Drop in
(also tours of the lake house on selected dates)
Blyth Battery wartime coastal fort
Where:South Beach
When:Weekends
Free entry, drop in
Bailifgate museum & detective trail
Where: 14 Bailifgate, Alnwick
When: 19th September
Drop in
Berwick Town Hall gaol & 18th century graffiti
Where:Marygate Berwick
When: festival weekend dates
Book In (its guided tours)
Tees Valley
The Heugh Battery Museum
Where: Moor Terrace
When: selected dates
Free entry/drop in
Tees cottage pumping station
Where: Coniscliffe road
When: Weekend steaming dates
Drop in
Preston Park Museum & Victorian Street
Where: Yarm Road
When: selected dates
Drop In
Ormesby Hall - National Trust Free Entry
Where: Ormesby Hall - Ladgate Lane, Ormesby
When: Selected dates
No pre booking required
North Yorkshire
Clifton Castle Tour
Where: Ripon
When: 11th September
Pre booking is required
Ritz Cinema Behind the scenes
Where: Thirsk
When: 12th September
Drop In
NYMR Grosmont Station Tour
Where: Grosmont Station
When: Multiple dates
Drop in
(other events also available here)
How to Make the Most of Heritage Open Days
Planning ahead can help you enjoy the Festival fully. Here are some tips:
Book the tours early
While most sites are free entry and drop in, anything that you need to prebook can fill up pretty fast
Check the Official Program
The Heritage Open Days website and local tourism offices publish detailed schedules. Some sites require advance booking due to limited space.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Many sites involve walking or outdoor exploration. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.
Join Guided Tours
Guides provide valuable insights and stories that bring the sites to life.
Combine Visits
Plan routes that allow you to visit several nearby sites in one day to maximize your experience.
Bring a Camera
Many locations offer stunning views and unique architectural details worth capturing.
Why Heritage Open Days Matter
These events do more than just open doors. They help preserve local history by raising awareness and encouraging community involvement. They also support local economies by attracting visitors to towns and villages. For residents, it’s a chance to rediscover familiar places with fresh eyes and learn about their heritage in depth. Its also a fantastic opportunity for anyone who might not have the spare funds to visit these places the rest of year.
Family-Friendly Activities
Heritage Open Days often include activities designed for children and families. These can include:
Treasure hunts in historic buildings
Hands-on craft workshops
Storytelling sessions about local legends and history
Interactive exhibits at museums
These activities make history accessible and fun for younger visitors, encouraging a lifelong interest in heritage.
Heritage Open Days in the North East and North Yorkshire offer a rare chance to explore the region’s history in depth. From medieval castles to industrial museums, these events reveal stories that shape local identity. Whether you are a local or a visitor, taking part in Heritage Open Days can enrich your understanding of the past and inspire appreciation for the places around you.
Plan your visit, explore with curiosity, and enjoy the journey through time that these special days provide.
