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  • Writer's pictureKelly

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


Washington Old Hall

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


Alnwick Playhouse

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

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