This September, we’re hosting three special events as part of Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture, running 12–21 September 2025. These free events are your chance to explore BHBG, hear its stories, and experience its history through words, music, and hands-on activities.
Saturday 13 September 2025
Paths Through the Past: Discovering Ballast Hills Burial Ground
13:00-15:30 | 51 Lime Street (NE1 2PQ)
Perfect for individuals and families, this drop-in session offers a hands-on introduction to the history of Ballast Hills and the research uncovering its stories. Try tracing your own family tree, design a gravestone, or learn about the lives behind the memorials. Whether you’re just curious or already connected to the site, there’s something here for everyone.
Onsite Exploration of Ballast Hills Burial Ground
16:00-17:00 | Ballast Hills Burial Ground (NE6 1LL)
Discover BHBG in three engaging ways: follow an explorer’s guide at your own pace to uncover hidden features and solve site challenges; chat with onsite guides for lively stories and recent research finds; and take part in hands-on activities that bring this historic burial ground to life.
Ballast Hills Burial Ground Poetry and Music Performance: Beneath This Ground
17:30-18:30 | Ballast Hills Burial Ground (NE6 1LL)
Beneath This Ground is a powerful, site-specific performance of original poetry and fiddle music created by Marina Dodgson, Maurice Condie, and Harry Gallagher. Inspired by the lives of those buried here, the work blends words and music to bring their stories to life. Performed outdoors at the burial ground, the performance allows the space itself to become part of the storytelling, offering a rare chance to connect emotionally and creatively with this historic site.
Whether you join us for one event or all three, you’ll come away with a richer understanding of this remarkable place and its enduring significance.
See the full Heritage Open Days 2025 programme (12–21 September): HODs Event Calendar
