The next Heritage Open Days event is scheduled for 12th-15th September 2013. These events provide hundreds of excellent, (and free) opportunities to see behind the scenes of museums, historic buildings and maybe even that lovely building you walk past every day going to work and have often wondered what it’s like inside. Well, it just might be open…

For the full list, go to: http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/laa/Newcastle%20upon%20Tyne

My personal recommendations are the behind-the-scenes tours of the Discovery Museum which provide a great insight into the collection stores and items usually closed to public access. The tours must be pre-booked by contacting the Discovery Museum on 0191 232 6789. With a maximum of 20 people per tour, book early as they fill up.

I would also recommend going to the event at the Great North Museum Hancock Library who will be showing treasures of the collection, old and rare books which aren’t normally on view to the public. Contact the library to book your place.

And if you’re in town, what better place to stop off for tea and cake than Quilliam Brothers’ Tea House at 1, Eldon Place? Since I moved to Newcastle in 2008, this has always been one of my favourite buildings in the city and I used to pass it on the bus every day; a small, elegant but sadly empty and unloved building. It’s transformation was completed earlier this year into a tea house and finally, I got to step inside.

Bookings are from 01st August until early September. You’ll forget? Ok, I’ll remind you nearer the time.