Sunday Drop in activities: 180th Anniversary Celebration Weekend
Schedule
Sun Apr 26 2026 at 10:00 am to 02:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
Horsemarket, DL12 8LY Barnard Castle, United Kingdom | Barnard Castle, EN
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Sunday 26 April | Free Family Activities | 10am – 2pm | Free (donations welcome)Join us as we celebrate 180 years of The Witham with a day of free, drop-in, family-friendly activities in the heart of Barnard Castle.
On Sunday 26th April, we’re opening our doors (and spilling out into the town) with a relaxed, welcoming programme designed for all ages. Whether you’re dropping in for half an hour or staying for the afternoon, there’s plenty to get involved in.
Throughout the day, you can take part in a range of creative and hands-on activities. Add your own story to our Witham Memory Board, get creative with stone decorating and rock painting, or build something new together at our LEGO station. Our friends at Mud & More will also be joining us with a hands-on pottery session, perfect for all ages to have a go.
There’ll also be heritage-themed activities and stalls.
We’ll be joined by the DigVentures team, who will be helping us capture stories, memories and ideas – from The Witham’s past to what people would love to see more of in the future. It’s a chance to be part of shaping what comes next.
All activities running from 10am – 2pm are free to take part in, and everyone is welcome to drop in and join as much or as little as they like. If you’re able to, we’ll be accepting donations (both card and cash) throughout the day to help support The Witham and everything we do as a community arts centre.
Across the building, you’ll find a mix of fundraising stalls, including a book sale, tombola, and a charity bake sale, alongside our Skills, Pills & Thrills book available to browse and buy.
Our café and bar will also be open throughout the day, serving a range of drinks – from hot drinks to something a little stronger, including cocktails – and there’ll also be a food van on site, so you can relax and make the most of your time with us.
Keep an eye out around town too – you might spot a familiar face from the past, as a character roams the streets, bringing a playful glimpse of The Witham’s history to life and inviting people in to join the celebrations.
The afternoon will round off with a live performance from Barnard Castle Band at 2pm in our historic Music Hall, a chance to come together and celebrate this milestone year. Please note: Tickets to the Barnard Castle Band performance require a ticket from here £6 per child and £9 per adult. https://thewitham.org.uk/event/the-withams-180th-anniversary-concert-with-barnard-castle-band/
This weekend is a chance to celebrate not just our history, but the people, stories and community that continue to shape The Witham today. Come along and discover more about the building’s fascinating past – and be part of its future.
We’d love you to be part of it.
PLEASE NOTE Booking is not essential but helps us plan for the day so please do book in if you can.
A huge thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and to Lottery Players for making this possible.
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Where is it happening?
Horsemarket, DL12 8LY Barnard Castle, United Kingdom, 10 Horse Market, Barnard Castle, DL12 8, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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