What is the minimum age to volunteer?

You must be 18 or older to participate in the Volunteer Open Days and to take on volunteer roles.

Where do I check in for the session?

Check in at the Black Gate Reception and then head to the Harbottle Suite on the second floor as directed.

Is wheelchair access available?

Due to the nature of the Castle Keep, not all areas are accessible; a presentation will be provided for visitors unable to access upstairs spaces.

Do I need prior experience in history or performance?

No prior experience is required; roles include training and are designed to be accessible to people with different backgrounds.

Can I sign up on the day?

Yes — sessions include chances for on-the-spot sign-ups after Q&A and practical demonstrations.

How long is a typical session?

Volunteer Open Days are approximately two hours long, including a tour, activities, and Q&A with staff and volunteers.

Volunteer Open Days at Newcastle Castle: Try Volunteering at the Black Gate | Castle | Events

Stand in the shadow of Newcastle Castle and you feel history rubbing shoulders with the city's modern hum. Perched in Castle Garth in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle Castle is a compact, high-impact medieval site that rewards curious visitors and local volunteers alike. The Volunteer Open Days invite anyone aged 18 and over to step behind the rope: meet the team at the Black Gate Reception, tour the Castle Keep and Great Hall, try on period costumes, and learn how to help make history accessible to the public. These sessions run as relaxed, two-hour gatherings (see scheduled dates) designed for conversation rather than interviews. Expect a warm welcome with tea or coffee, a guided walkthrough of volunteer spaces from the Harbottle Suite up through the castle rooms and roof, and plenty of one-to-one time with current volunteers. Roles include front-of-house Visitor Experience Assistants, Tourist Information Hub Volunteers, and Living History performers — each a different way to share stories, welcome visitors, and help care for the site. What makes volunteering here special is the combination of hands-on history and city-center accessibility. The castle’s medieval stone keep, the towering Black Gate entrance, and the elevated views across the city offer a compact classroom for storytelling, costuming, and interpretation. The setting encourages practical, public-facing roles: you’ll guide groups, handle archival guidebooks, and participate in living history demonstrations that make past lives tangible for modern audiences. Practicalities are straightforward: check in at the Black Gate Reception and head up to the Harbottle Suite on the second floor. Sessions include informal Q&A about time commitment, training, and what support is available — roles are intentionally flexible to fit around work and family life. Note that parts of the Castle Keep have limited wheelchair access; a presentation will be provided for anyone unable to access those areas. For visitors and locals, the Volunteer Open Days are a low-pressure way to try something new while strengthening community connections. Whether you’re drawn to history, enjoy working with people, or want to build presentation skills, the castle offers clear pathways into meaningful volunteer work. It’s also an opportunity to help sustain an urban heritage site that depends on active public engagement. Bring curiosity, comfortable shoes for narrow medieval stairs, and a willingness to ask questions. Sign-ups are often available on the spot, so if you leave the Harbottle Suite imagining yourself in a role, you can often start the next steps before you walk back into the city. Sessions are open to anyone 18 and over; check in at the Black Gate Reception (The Black Gate, Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1RQ, UK) and head to the Harbottle Suite on the second floor for details.

Difficulty

easy.

Duration

2 hours.

Fitness level

Basic mobility required for stairs; reasonable fitness for climbing narrow steps and standing during tours.

Wildlife

Pigeons
Urban foxes

History

The site occupies a medieval keep and Black Gate entrance that have shaped the city’s defensive and civic story over many centuries.

Conservation

Volunteers help preserve fabric and interpretation of the site; keep to marked routes and follow staff guidance to minimize wear on historic fabric.

Newcastle Castle is a historic Norman fortress in Newcastle upon Tyne that interprets the city’s medieval past through guided tours, special events and educational programmes. The site centres on a preserved Castle Keep and the adjacent Black Gate, offering visitors direct access to the architecture and stories that shaped the town. Newcastle Castle runs a programme of seasonal events, including theatrical performances, film screenings, themed talks and living history days, alongside regular Medieval Newcastle Tours and bookable school visits tailored to key stages. Visitors can purchase an Annual Pass Admission for unlimited visits across a year, or book single events such as mystery talks, horror screenings, family-friendly festivals and commemorative lectures. The venue hosts a range of ticketed experiences listed in advance, including author talks, Dungeons & Dragons–themed shows, historical lectures, horror screenings and community-focused activities during school holidays. Specialists and recognised guest speakers lead many talks and performances, while living history groups and performance companies contribute to reenactments and tournament days. For schools and groups, Newcastle Castle provides structured workshops, hands-on activities and guided tours that align with curriculum topics and local history learning outcomes. The site combines architectural interest with curated interpretation and a varied public events programme that appeals to families, students and history enthusiasts.

Base locationNewcastle upon Tyne, England

Tours offered16+

Specialtyland-adventures

StewardshipLeave No Trace

My Trip

My Trip

Volunteer Open Days at Newcastle Castle: Try Volunteering at the Black Gate

A full day in Newcastle upon Tyne.

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