Month: August 2026

Posted on

Four Burial Places, Four Ways to Explore Newcastle’s Past

Heritage Open Days 2026 offers several opportunities to explore Newcastle’s history through its burial grounds, churchyards, graveyards, and cemeteries. The events take place on different days, so visitors can enjoy all four.

Newcastle Cathedral Churchyard

Churchyard Mysteries: All-Ages Guided Tour

Saturday 12 September, at 11.00 am, 12.00 noon, and 1.00 pm

These lively 25 to 30-minute tours explore some of the stories and mysteries connected with the Cathedral churchyard, including the Vampire Rabbit and the possibility that a pirate lies buried within the grounds.

Pre-booking is preferred but not compulsory. Places are limited to 15 people per tour.

Image: St Nicholas’Churchyard, early 19th century. Courtesy of Newcastle University Special Collections & Archives.

St James’ Graveyard, Benwell

Stories from the graveyard: working lives, talk and tour

Wednesday 16 September, 1.00–3.00 pm

A short talk and film at West End Library are followed by a guided visit to St James’ Graveyard. The event explores the working lives of pitmen, engineers, farmers, shopkeepers, nurses, and other people from West Newcastle.

Pre-booking is required. Places are limited to eight people.

Image: St James’ Church and part of the Graveyard, Newcastle Libraties.

Jesmond Old Cemetery

Exploring Some of the Everyday Stories within Jesmond Old Cemetery

Thursday 17 September and Sunday 20 September, 11.00 am–1.00 pm

The Friends of Jesmond Old Cemetery will lead a guided walk sharing newly researched stories about the people buried within this historic garden cemetery, its monuments, and its changing character.

Pre-booking is required. Booking closes on 7 September.

Ballast Hills Burial Ground, Ouseburn

Saturday 19 September

Ballast Hills will host a full day of free activities, including archive displays and family-history activities at Brinkburn Brewery, self-guided exploration and onsite guides at the burial ground, music and poetry, and evening storytelling along the gravestone path. Come along for one event or enjoy the full programme.

Most activities are drop-in, but places on the Brinkburn Brewery tours must be booked in advance.

Each burial place offers a different perspective on Newcastle’s past. Visitors can explore churchyard mysteries, working lives, cemetery stories, and the overlooked histories of Ballast Hills across four separate days.

Why choose only one? Heritage Open Days make it possible to enjoy them all.

Posted on

Green Day Progress ahead of Heritage Open Days

Preparations for Heritage Open Days are gathering pace at Ballast Hills Burial Ground.

Volunteers made excellent progress during the 4 August 2026 Green Day, concentrating on the Albion Row entry way, the upright gravestones, and the gravestone pathways. They carefully removed weeds, leaves, and accumulated soil, revealing more of the stonework and making the routes clearer for visitors.

The before-and-after photographs show the difference that a few hours of patient work can make.

We are especially grateful to the Ouseburn Trust Environmental Group volunteers, whose hard work, care, and practical support made a significant contribution to these sessions.

Our remaining scheduled Green Day will take place on Tuesday 1 September, but more work remains before Heritage Open Days on Saturday 19 September. We hope to arrange additional sessions during the weeks leading up to the event.

Anyone interested in helping should contact ballast.hills@newcastle.ac.uk. We can also arrange a bespoke Green Day on another suitable date when a group of five or more volunteers can attend.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed time, energy, and care. Each session helps us to prepare the burial ground to welcome visitors and share its remarkable history.