Heritage Open Days 2022 - Free Entry Days Out - North East
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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 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, running from 9 - 18 September.
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.
Gibside, Near Gateshead
Free entry for all on 17 & 18 September. No booking required.
Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend
Free entry for all on 17 & 18 September. No booking required.
Land of Oak & Iron, Gateshead
Various guided heritage and nature walks Pre-booking required
Berwick Barracks, Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Free entry for all 17 & 18 September No booking required
North East Land, Sea and Air Museum, Sunderland
Free entry for all 10 & 11 September No booking required
Cragside house & Gardens, Near Rothbury
Free entry for all 9 September No booking required
Tanfield Railway, Near Stanley
Guided walks from East Tanfield station to Causey Arch 10, 11, 14, 17 & 18 September
Pre-booking preferred
Locomotion, Shildon
Locomotion Lates: Makers' Skills.
Various activities after normal opening hours. 17 September Pre-booking required
Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough
Free entry for all 16 & 17 September No booking required.
Aln Valley Railway, Alnwick
Behind the scenes tours 17 September Pre-booking preferred
Souter Lighthouse & The Leas, Whitburn
Free entry for all 17 & 18 September No booking required
Stephenson Railway, North Shields
Workshop tours 10th September Pre-booking required
Free train rides 11th September No booking required
The Old Rectory, Houghton Le Spring
Various free activities 10 September No booking required
Seaton Delaval Hall, Whitley Bay
Free entry for all 16 & 17 September No booking required
Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle
Guided tours 13, 14 & 15 September Pre-booking required
Free entry for all 9 & 10 September Booking preferred
St. Marys Lighthouse, Whitley Bay
Free entry for all 15 - 18 September No booking required
Wallington, Near Morpeth
Free entry for all 11 & 12 September No booking required
Guided tours 17 September Pre-booking required
Derwentcote Steel Furnace, Rowlands Gill
Open Days 17 & 18 September No booking required
Victoria Tunnel, Newcastle
Taster tours 15 September No booking required
Wharton Park, Durham
Family crafts: Wharton's wonders of transportation 10 - 19 September No booking required
Brancepeth Castle, Durham
Guided tours 9, 10 & 11 September Pre-booking required
Nunnington Hall, Near York
Free entry for all and platinum jubilee tours 18 & 18 September No booking required
North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Pickering
Various FREE tours and demonstrations 9 - 18 September Pre-booking required
South Cliff Gardens, Scarborough
Victorian Play Day, Various free activities 10 September No booking required
Central Tramway Company, Scarborough
Guided tours and free rides 13, 14, 16 & 17 September Pre-booking required
Dorman Museum, Middlesbrough
Teesside Archives Open Day 10 September No booking required
Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island
Free entry for all 11 & 12 September Pre-booking preferred
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/
Check out these other posts
Review | Our Recent Visit to North East Land, Sea & Air Museum
9 Train Themed Days Out in the North East and North Yorkshire.
Our morning at the re opening of Locomotion National Railway Museum - Shildon