Heritage Open Days – Ballast Hills Burial Ground

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.

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. Download A5 Flyer here.

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
Drop in, 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.

Category: Heritage Open Days

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