Get away without going away in Gateshead this autumn
Witches, wildlife, walking... There's something for everyone along the Tyne Derwent Way this half-term and beyond.
Discover an exciting and richly varied programme of events taking place on Gateshead's green getaway throughout the autumn, and experience the many attractions along the rivers Tyne and Derwent.
"Our events are a great way to introduce local people to the nature, culture and heritage on their doorsteps," said Lucy Zwolinska, who leads on community and participation for the Tyne Derwent Way. "They're friendly, welcoming, inclusive and affordable - many events are free, but there's a small charge for some, and our varied pay scale means people can pay what they can afford at the time."
Here's just a small selection of what's coming up...
Discover the whole Tyne Derwent Way in one day!
For the first time, adventurous locals and visitors can join a guided walk along the full nine miles of the Tyne Derwent Way between St Mary's Heritage Centre, near the Tyne Bridge, and the National Trust's Gibside estate in the Derwent Valley. The walk is this Sunday, 27 October, starting at 9am.
There will be breaks and stops along the way, to savour the rich heritage and nature by the rivers Tyne and Derwent. You'll see the historic architecture of Gateshead Quayside, the Tyne's seven famous bridges, the spectacular Dunston Staiths and the lush beauty of the Derwent Valley.
At the end of the route (just south of Rowlands Gill) you'll need to return home by public transport. There are regular buses to Newcastle and Gateshead from here, and your guide will be on hand to assist and ensure you get home safely.
The event is free but booking is essential.
Bairns and Broomsticks
Come along to St Mary's Heritage Centre this Halloween to discover the real history behind broomsticks, black cats and pointed hats.
In 1649, three women from Gateshead were executed for witchcraft and one was buried outside St. Mary's Churchyard, only to be rediscovered 350 years later. Then, in 1673, Anne Armstrong appeared in court as an eye-witness to a witches' sabbath. Her stories of magical feasts, the transformation of witches into cats, hares and bees, and their attempts to get her to join their cult echoed through the centuries.
Join Dr Katie Liddane, an expert in the supernatural and social history of the North East, from 7 - 9pm on 31 October, to find out more about Anne, and the three men who supported her claims.
This is a paid-for event and booking is essential.
Staiths Art Club
Down at the spectacular Dunston Staiths, believed to be Europe's biggest wooden structure, the Staiths Café hosts a monthly art club for adults, run by Riverside Routes.
The next session is on 6 November, 6 - 8pm, when you can join artist Ruth Flowers (Inky Makes) for an evening of decorating ceramic accessories. In this workshop, you'll decorate pre-made ceramic pieces crafted by Ruth using porcelain paints and taking inspiration from the North East's riverbanks. Ruth will guide you through the process, showing you how to experiment with ideas and create your own personal piece. No experience necessary.
Tickets are £5 per person. If you arrive before 5.50pm, you'll be able to enjoy drinks and cakes from the café too.
How to record wildlife with iNaturalist
If you love nature and want to help conserve it where you live, this is the event for you.
Join the friendly guides from Wild Intrigue for a hands-on family workshop to learn how to use the iNaturalist app to record, identify and record wildlife, and try it out in Gateshead Riverside Park.
Whether you're nature newbies or experienced wildlife enthusiasts, this app is user-friendly and has become an important tool for communities to contribute to understanding and conserving local wildlife. Your guide will show you how to set up and use the app to identify plants and animals, take great photos, and contribute to wildlife conservation - using just your smartphone or tablet.
This event is free - just turn up and enjoy.
More events
These four events are just a taste of what's happening on the Tyne Derwent Way this autumn. To see what else is going on and book your place visit our events section.