Activities & Visits

Friday afternoon visits and activities – 2026

All visits include coach or minibus transport where appropriate, and refreshments. Please wear sensible shoes and bring a waterproof jacket in case of rain. 

Check individual descriptions for PPE requirements and accessibility issues.

1. Tynemouth Priory & Castle

Tynemouth is a complicated site with a varied history. The monument occupies a prominent headland site on the north side of the mouth of the river Tyne, and includes the remains of an Iron Age and Romano-British settlement, a preconquest and a post-conquest monastery, a 9th century wayside cross, a possible Norman mote, an enclosure castle, an artillery castle and 19th and 20th century coastal defences.  Further detail on the extensive history can be found here: History of Tynemouth Priory and Castle | English Heritage

2. Northumbria University Materials Testing Laboratories

Led by Dr Giovanni Pesce, Associate Professor in the School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, this is a rare opportunity to visit the Civil Engineering Laboratories at Northumbria University. You will have the chance to explore facilities involved in the testing and analysis of materials relevant to the conservation of historic buildings, and to engage directly with researchers working in this field.

Subject to prior arrangement, there will also be the possibility of testing samples brought by attendees. Those wishing to explore this option are encouraged to make contact well in advance with Dr Pesce (giovanni.pesce@northumbria.ac.uk) so that the appropriate testing protocols can be agreed and prepared ahead of the visit. 

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3. Keelmen’s Hospital & Bessie Surtees House

A fantastic opportunity to visit TWO highly significant buildings in the Quayside area of Newcastle.

Firstly, a site visit to see ongoing repair and reuse works at Keelmen’s Hospital  The keelmen of Tyne and Wear worked on shallow-draught keels, transporting coal from the banks of both rivers to the colliers which sailed down the east coast to London, as these were too large to sail up the river. Almshouses were built for retired and sick keelmen and their families, paid for by their own money (one penny a tide). These were completed in 1701, and in later centuries, the building was used as tenement, social, and student housing but it closed down in 2009 and has been empty ever since. Now, through a collaborative project between Newcastle City Council, Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust, Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund and others, the building will be repaired and reused to accommodate affordable housing in the city centre.

NOTE: Steel toe cap boots would be ideal, but sturdy walking boots are acceptable. Delegates must also wear long trousers and long-sleeved tops/jackets (no shorts or T shirts).  We can provide hard hats and high viz.

Delegates choosing this option should be comfortable climbing scaffold staircases – about three levels up to the roof.

Secondly, a guided tour of Bessie Surtees House situated in the Sandhill area of Newcastle upon Tyne, near the Quayside, an area which has been a focal point in the city since Roman times. Here, you will find two magnificent five-storey Newcastle merchants’ houses, dating from the mid-17th century. One has a splendid timber framed frontage, with projecting “jettied” upper storeys. In 1772 Bessie Surtees eloped from here with John Scott, later Lord Chancellor of England. Substantially restored in 1930, when architectural features from other houses were incorporated, the building now accommodates Historic England’s and English Heritage’s offices in Newcastle.

The tours will be led by conservation accredited architect Maria Carballeira and her colleagues at Historic England.

Please note that the building is not accessible by wheelchair. There is no lift and upper floors are only reachable via stairs.

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4. Seaton Delaval Hall

Seaton Delaval Hall is a Grade I listed country house in Northumberland, near the coast just north of Newcastle. It was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in 1718 for Admiral George Delaval and is now owned by the National Trust. The estate is extensive, encompassing numerous buildings, structures, landscapes and woodlands. In 2019, Historic Property Restoration Ltd and Mosedale Gillatt Architects oversaw a major restoration project called ‘The Curtain Rises’.

The scheme involved the complete re-roofing of the West Wing, including taking down and rebuilding six stone chimneys, restoration of the East Wing stables, while the original Brewhouse was extended with a modern new build extension to house a café. The original Carriage House was restored and structurally stabilised, with the addition of a new internal pod to provide modern WC facilities for visitors. This modern pod stands independent of the historic fabric so that it forms a reversible intervention.

The Walled Garden was also restored along with the extensive ha-ha walls and corner bastions which define some of the boundaries of the site. Both spiral staircases in the central hall had repair work carried out to the stone treads, landings and metal balustrades.  Finally, the Sea Walk Walls, Orangery and Mausoleum were consolidated and structurally stabilised as part of the wider site restoration works.

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5. Tyne Bridge Conservation Works & Newcastle Highlights Walking Tour

Spanning the River Tyne since its opening in 1928, the Tyne Bridge stands as one of Britain’s greatest engineering achievements and a defining symbol of Newcastle upon Tyne. Its iconic green arch has watched over the city for nearly a century — and now, a major conservation programme (started in 2023 and due to be concluded for bridge’s centenary in 2028) is ensuring it endures for generations to come.

Delegates attending the 2026 Building Lime Forum Gathering and Conference have a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of this landmark restoration. This guided tour offers privileged access to the conservation works currently underway, providing first-hand insight into the materials, techniques, and challenges involved in preserving a structure of this scale and significance. The visit will last approximately one hour and will comprise a 30-minute presentation on the conservation works, followed by a 30-minute guided tour of the areas currently under conservation (which will likely involve walking on the scaffolding). Whether your interest lies in historic masonry, structural conservation, or heritage lime applications, this tour promises an unparalleled professional experience at one of the North East’s most treasured landmarks.

NOTE: All attendees MUST WEAR steel toe-cap boots and you will need to bring your own hard hats and high viz. Delegates must also wear long trousers and long-sleeved tops/jackets (no shorts or T shirts). The site visit involves a considerable amount of walking and climbing scaffold staircases to a significant height. Therefore, it is not recommended for anyone who is uncomfortable with heights.

The Tyne Bridge tour will be followed by a one-hour walking tour led by Newcastle City Guides. We will explore Newcastle’s historic city centre highlights, delving into the stories and heritage of the surrounding area. Please note that the tour involves uneven terrain, and steep hills and / or steps. A moderate level of fitness and comfortable footwear are recommended.

In short, this option is most suited to the brave and fit!