Saturday, 19 September 2026
Brinkburn St Brewery and Ballast Hills Burial Ground
Join us for a full day of free events exploring the everyday histories of Ballast Hills Burial Ground. Used from about 1640 to 1853, Ballast Hills became the resting place of more than 40,000 people from varied religious and social backgrounds.
Our Heritage Open Days programme will bring some of their stories into view through archives, activities, brewing history, self-guided exploration, music, poetry, and an atmospheric twilight visit. Visitors are welcome to attend one event or combine several across the day.
Everyday Histories at Ballast Hills
10.30 am to 2.00 pm
Brinkburn St Brewery
Drop in, no booking required
Explore maps, burial records, gravestone inscriptions, family-history activities, learning resources, and local stories. We will be available to answer questions and introduce some of the people and communities connected with Ballast Hills.
Brinkburn Brewery Tours
11.00 am, 12.00 noon, and 1.00 pm
Brinkburn St Brewery
Advance booking required
Tour the working brewery and discover local brewing history alongside a small display about brewing-related occupations represented among the people buried at Ballast Hills. Each tour lasts 45 minutes, places are limited, and participants must be aged 18 or over.
Explore Ballast Hills
2.30 to 4.00 pm
Ballast Hills Burial Ground
Drop in, no booking required
Try the redeveloped Ballast Hills Explorer’s Guide, follow the trail at your own pace, or speak with guides stationed around the site. This session offers a relaxed way to explore the gravestone pathway, hear stories, and ask questions.
Beneath This Ground
4.00 to 5.00 pm
Ballast Hills Burial Ground
No booking required
Experience original poetry and fiddle music by Marina Dodgson, Maurice Condie, and Harry Gallagher. This site-specific performance draws on the lives, losses, working experiences, and memories of people buried at Ballast Hills. Visitors may wish to bring a portable chair or blanket.
Twilight at Ballast Hills
6.30 to 7.30 pm
Ballast Hills Burial Ground
No booking required
Return at dusk for an informal exploration of the burial ground. Guides will share stories along the gravestone pathway while visitors move through the site at their own pace.
Plan Your Visit
All events are free. Only the brewery tours require advance booking.
The burial ground events take place outdoors, and some areas are uneven. Please wear suitable footwear, dress for the weather, and remember that all visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Please also explore the wider Heritage Open Days programme and discover the many other free events taking place across Newcastle and the surrounding area.
We look forward to welcoming you for a day of discovery, creativity, conversation, and everyday histories.
