SPINDRIFT STORIES IS BASED AT THE BRYNEICH FOLKLORE CENTRE, AN IMMERSIVE SPACE DEDICATED TO THE TALES AND TRADITIONS OF NORTHUMBRIA.

Situated on the beautiful and historic Ford and Etal Estates in North Northumberland, the centre offers visitors the chance to explore the legends, beliefs and customs that have shaped the region for centuries.

With traditional storytelling, along with displays, exhibits, artefacts, visual art and hands-on activities, Bryneich brings Northumberland’s rich folklore to life and explores the connections between story, place, and people.

• Discover the legends and folklore of Northumberland, their history and landscapes.
• Look beneath the surface in the “Finds from the Fields” exhibition of metal detector finds.
• Stay for a live storytelling session and hear the tales told as they have been for centuries with Becca of Spindrift Stories.
• Get lost in past ways of life in the folklore library.
• Browse the shop corner for books, local art by Gillian Joanne, and story-themed gifts handmade in the Bryneich Centre.
• Bring the family and enjoy the children’s story corner, scheduled craft activities (during the school holidays), and special storytelling events for younger audiences.
• Relax and enjoy a welcoming space surrounded by art, music, and story.

Why Bryneich?

Bryneich is probably the oldest known name for this region, the Brythonic (British Celtic) forerunner of the later Anglian Bernicia, which was combined with Deira to form Northumbria.

Read more about the history of the name.

All situated in the old visitor centre at Heatherslaw Mill, conveniently located for the mill and for Heatherslaw Light Railway. Public car-parking and toilet facilities available on the site, and an excellent cafe directly opposite, so why not bring your tea or coffee into the Story Centre and enjoy it with some stories?

Open Mon-Thurs 10:30-4:30 and Sundays 10:30-3:00.

Wheelchair accessible, with disabled parking next to the building (please drop me a message if you would like a video tour of the premises to see accessibility).

Free entry except when a performance is on, with a donation box for those who can and want to contribute. Ticket prices apply to storytelling sessions, workshops and craft activities.

Find me opposite Heatherslaw Mill, TD12 4TJ. Main parking across the river via a footbridge, so follow GPS to Heatherslaw Railway to park, then enjoy a two-minute walk over the bridge to the door. Disable parking available directly beside the centre; follow directions to Heatherslaw Mill.