National Lottery Open Week - find out about free activities on offer

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums are taking part in The National Lottery Open Week, to say a huge thanks to National Lottery players for their support.

From 18 - 26 March 2023, we'll be offering visitors a variety of free activities across museums and galleries on Tyneside. Visitors will need to show a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard on entry. It’s as simple as that!   

Some activities do need to be pre-booked. See specific events for full details.

Highlights of the programme include: free entry to Segedunum Roman Fort, 2-4-1 planetarium shows, behind the scenes tours and expert led gallery/exhibition talks.

Friday 24 March - 11am, 1pm, 2.30pm
Tour of Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort
Join one of our volunteers on a tour of the fort and discover more about this archaeological  treasure.   

Monday 20 March - 10.30am
North East inventors gallery tour
A tour exploring historical North East inventors and their inventions that changed the world! 
Pre-booking essential, booking closes 72 hours before the start or the event.

Tuesday 21 March - 11am
D-Day and the 13th/18th Hussars gallery tour
A talk given by our Charge! Volunteers about the extraordinary tale of the 13th/18th Royal Hussars and the swimming tanks on D-Day, 6 June 1944. 
No pre-booking required.

Wednesday 22 March - 10.30am
Tour of Tyne & Wear Archives
Explore the Archives by joining our guided tour of 12 miles of shelving - home to some very important documents including our oldest charter which dates back to AD 1183.
Pre-booking essential, booking closes 72 hours before the start or the event.

Thursday 23 March - 11am
Costume Store Tour - FULLY BOOKED
Join one of the history curators on a behind the scenes tour of the costume and textiles store. See costumes from the Georgian period right up to modern day outfits, as well as accessories. 
Pre-booking essential, booking closes 72 hours before the start or the event.

Friday 24 March - 11am
Tyneside Challenge gallery tour
Come and discover the hidden stories behind some of the inventions that originated on Tyneside! 
Pre-booking essential, booking closes 72 hours before the start or the event.

Saturday 18 - Sunday 26 March, during normal opening times
2-4-1 Planetarium tickets
Visit any of our Planetarium Shows and get 2 tickets for the price of 1. 
No pre-booking required. 

Tuesday 21 March - 11am
Wilhemina Barns-Graham: Paths to Abstraction curator tour - FULLY BOOKED
A curator led tour of our current  large-scale exhibition exploring the work of the celebrated Scottish artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham.
Pre-booking essential, booking closes 72 hours before the start or the event.

Saturday 18 - Sunday 26 March, during normal opening times
20% admission discount to Visions of Ancient Egypt exhibition
This wide-ranging exhibition includes paintings, sculpture, photography, fashion and jewellery, tracing how processes of re-invention, appropriation and subversion have generated multiple visions of Egypt since the Roman period.
No pre-booking required. 

Tuesday 21 March - 2.30pm 
Collection Display Tour
Join a free staff-led tour of our Northern Spirit Gallery 

Saturday 18 March and Monday 20 - Saturday 25 March - 11am
Introductory talk
A free talk about the history of the site and the building.
No pre-booking required, normal admission charges apply.

Friday 24 and Saturday 25 March, during normal opening times
Free admission
Present your National Lottery ticket or scratchcard on entry for free admission for up to 4 people.
No pre-booking required.

Wednesday 22 March - 11am
Arts and craft collection tour
Discover the Shipley Art Gallery’s Art and Craft collections, and enjoy a tour of some of the highlights.
Pre-booking essential, booking closes 72 hours before the start or the event.

Saturday 25 March - 11.30am, 1pm, 2.30pm
Workshop guided tours
Get down and dirty with a behind-the-scenes tour at Stephenson Steam Railway.
Pre-booking essential, booking closes 72 hours before the start or the event.