More doors to open this season
BARBARA HODGSON REVEALS THE NEWCASTLE VENUES OFFERING FREE TOURS THIS DECEMBER
AN ‘advent calendar with a difference’ which made its debut in Newcastle last year opened the door, quite literally, into some hidden gems across the city.
Over its 24 Doors of Christmas, various venues opened up as a festive treat to allow visitors a rare chance to see behind the scenes, free of charge, and the likes of the Victoria Tunnel and St James’ Park – offering a sneak peek into Rafa’s office – were almost instantly booked up.
So it’s no surprise that organiser NE1 is bringing the event back this year with another Santa’s sack full of treasures to enjoy.
The business improvement company has included some of last year’s favourites on its list but also has been working with a different batch of venues and organisations to arrange surprise viewings.
From December 1, and continuing in the run-up to Christmas , a door a day will open at historic and unusual buildings across Newcastle to give the public a chance to see what lies within.
NE1 has teamed up with BBC Newcastle on this year’s event and many of the resulting experiences have been specially created for The 24 Doors of Christmas.
And there are three free days remaining in the schedule so it is now asking members of the public to come forward with suggestions of which other venues they would like to see included. Here are the current highlights.
THE 24 DOORS OF CHRISTMAS
■ The ‘Pink Palace’ – The BBC’s news studios in Barrack Road is inviting in visitors.
■ Hadrian’s Tower – Billed as Newcastle’s first major skyscraper, this building on St James’ Boulevard is still under construction and – as it reaches its 27th floor – visitors can have a hard-hat tour to give them an idea of the views in store.
■ Newcastle Helix – The city’s new business and research hub will be revealing all.
■ Sereniti-Salt Retreat – This Friars Street centre is opening for a free session and brief talk on its treatments.
■ Blackfriars – Also in Friars Street, the restaurant is offering an opportunity for a private tour to learn all about the 13th Century former Dominican friary.
■ Bessie Surtees House – The Jacobean house on Sandgate has a wealth of history and visitors can see the window from which where Bessie eloped with John Scott who later became Lord Chancellor of England.
■ Millennium Bridge – A tour will
explain the bridge’s history and how it works – and tilts.
Ryder Architecture – This firm is opening up its headquarters at the former Cooper’s Studios, an 1897 grade Grade II-listed former horse and carriage repository which still includes the ramps which the horses used to access their upper floor stalls.
Different Studios – A workshop and tour will offer a chance to see behind the scenes of the marketing agency, which occupies a former synagogue in Ravensworth Terrace, next to the property which featured on the BBC’s House Through Time series.
The Guildhall – A tour of the listed Quayside property, with its former Mayor’s Parlour, original courtroom and the Merchant Venturers’ Hall, is on offer.
St James’ Park – An exclusive specially curated tour of the stadium is on offer but spaces are very limited.
The Old Post Office – See inside the 1876 listed building in St Nicholas Street, which was once the city hub. In 1899 it handled 81 million letters; 1.9 million parcels and more than 4.8m telegrams a year.
The Racquets Court – An open day is a chance to see inside the building in College Street.
St Mary’s Cathedral – Guided tours are available in the Clayton Street landmark, which is an example of Gothic Revival architecture.
Theatre Royal – The grand lady of Grey Street will be inviting visitors to see behind the scenes.
Tyne Theatre and Opera House – Going behind the curtain at the Westgate Road theatre will reveal some Victorian stage equipment.
Newcastle Castle – The historic gateway to the city will be opening its doors while the adjacent Keep is worth a stop off too for its cracking views.
Woon Gallery of Asian Art – See the artefacts in the Northumbria University building at the City Campus in Sandyford Road.
St Nicholas Cathedral – An open day of the cathedral in St Nicholas Square will coincide with Christmas Eve so visitors might also like to take part in one of its services.
Spaces will be limited at many of the venues so those interested in the tours are advised to register and book early. Some of them require (free) tickets and bookings are now being taken at https://newcastleschristmas.com/24doors/.
The Chronicle has a dedicated Facebook page for the latest on what to see and where to drink, eat, shop and go out across Newcastle and the North East. See www.facebook.com/whatson.northeast.