Heritage Open Days 2025 - Free/cheap Entry Days Out - North East
- Kelly
- Aug 21
- 3 min read
This post has been updated for 2025
Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE or very cheap to explore.
We tend to visit as many of these events as we can over these days and we plan to do the same again this year.
Whether it's free entry to some well known attractions, behind the scenes tours or discovering a hidden gem, there is something for everyone as part of England's biggest festival of history and culture.
There are hundreds of options to choose from, right here in the North East, but here is just a small selection of what we consider to be best for families.
Please note: Some events/activities require pre-booking and numbers are limited, and any of these events could be cancelled at short notice. We have not organised any of these events and are not responsible for them and have no control over visitor numbers. Please direct any queries to the venue/organiser. For more details including accessibility and any required booking details, please click the links below.
**Please note that some of these events may already be sold out and there may be a small charge so please double check before going**
To book any of the events please go HERE
All events run throughout September, make sure you double check opening times and booking info
Free Entry To Selected National Trust Properties....
Gibside, 12th-13th Near Gateshead
Free entry for all No booking required
Gibside Banqueting House - 12th - 13th
Free entry Booking preferred
Ormesby Hall, 19th,20th,21st Middlesbrough
Free entry for all No booking required
CherryBurn - 18th, 19th Northumberland
Free entry, No booking required
Wallington 12th, 13th, 14th Northumberland
Rothley Lakehouse - Booking is preferred
Wallington - 14th-15th Northumberland
Free Entry for all - No Booking required
Crook Hall - 19th & 21st Durham
Free entry for all - No Booking required
Cragside - 12th
Free entry for all - No Booking Required
Souter Lighthouse - 17th & 20th
Free entry for all - No booking required
Rievaulx Terrace - 13th-14th
Free entry for all , no booking required
Nunnington Hall 12th - 14th
Free entry for all No Booking required
Other Open Days
Washington FPit Museum 12th-21st
Free Entry for all - No Booking required
Birkheads Secret garden - 12th-14th & 18th-21st
No booking required
Jarrow Hall - 13th - 14th
Tours No booking required
The Bowes Museum 13th - 14th
Free entry for all , no booking required
Derwentcote Steel Furnace - 13th
Open Day - No Booking required
Nidderdale museum - 13th
Free entry no booking required
Phoenix Hall - Queen Street East - 13th & 20th
Open days no booking required
Ryhope Engine Museum 13th & 14th
No booking required
Heatherslaw Cornmill 13th & 14th
Free entry No Booking required
Watch House Museum Seaton Sleuice 12th,13th,19th-21st
Free entry No booking required
Newbiggin Maritime Centre 12th-14th
Free entry No Booking Required
Cragend Farm - Various dates from 13th
Booking required
Land of Iron - 13th & 20th
Free entry into some exhibits ( entry fees may apply)
Newcastle Castle 13th
Free entry for all - no pre booking required *not suitable for those with mobility needs
Durham Castle 13th
self led, free for all - no booking required
Ouseburn River - 14th
Three trails to choose from - no booking required
Victoria Tunnel 16th
free 20 minute taster tour - Booking is required
Sunderland Minster 17th - 20th
Free entry
Ushaw Historic House 16th-17th
Free entry, No booking required
Tees Barrage 30th anniversary - 19th
control room tour - booking required
Thorpe Light Railway 20th
public opening - Barnard Castle - no booking required
This is just a small selection of the hundreds of options available during the Heritage Open Days. For even more options, check out their website, https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/
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