Heritage open days: Our top picks for free events in Newcastle this week

Every year, sites across the country open their doors to welcome visitors for free for Heritage Open Days. The group running the event claim to be England’s largest community-led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations with the main event coming every September.

This year heritage open days across England will take place Between Friday, September 8 and Sunday, September 17.

Heritage Open Days in Newcastle

This week some of the city’s top creatives are spending their time hsting workshops on zine and film poster making. The teams at the Tyneside Cinema and Lime Street and The Cluny are offering the chance for the public to get their creative juices flowing. Bookings need to be made online.

Staying at Tyneside Cinema, the company is offering tours of the art deco site including a behind the scenes look in the building and the original classic screen from 1937.

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Over in Ouseburn, the Ouseburn Trust are offering walks through the area focusing on the East End’s history through printmaking. Bookings can be made through the trust’s website.

Back in the city centre, tours of the iconic Grainger Market are available through Newcastle Council. These will take a look at the history and secrets of the amazing site.

In addition to these building-specific options, walking tours are also on offer including sketch walks led by top artists, tours of Leazes Park and St Johns Cemetery as well as much more.

Another option for those wanting to take a step back in time should look no further than a behind the scenes tour of the Baltic Gallery in Gateshead. This includes areas of the building which are normally out of bounds as well as learning about the history of the site. Bookings can be made online.

The full list of Heritage Open Days available across Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside and more can be found on the event’s website.