MORE THAN 5,800 FREE DAYS OUT! HERITAGE OPEN DAYS LAUNCHES A JAM-PACKED 2025 PROGRAMME
www.heritageopendays.org.uk
12th-21st September 2025
Heritage Open Days is here to banish boredom this September, with thousands of free events and experiences celebrating the people, places, and stories that shape England’s heritage. Brought to you by the National Trust, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, and powered by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, the festival invites everyone to explore and connect with their local area. And it’s all FREE!
This year sees the biggest programme yet in the festival’s 31-year history, with more than 5,800 events: including a wide range of places that usually charge entry fees, free sites that put on extraspecial events for the festival, and access to many places that aren’t usually open to the public. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a first-time visitor, there’s something for everyone.
First and foremost, it’s about having a great day out… Whether it’s dressing up as a Royal Guard at The Guards Museum in London, joining a colourful Godiva procession in Coventry, or boarding the HMS Alliance in Gosport, there’s fun to be had at every turn. Those seeking something immersive can step into history with a trial reenactment at the National Justice Museum, rave in a church nave on the Isle of Wight, or find harmony in shared vibration at an arts festival at Corfe Castle. Or for a more tranquil pace visitors can connect with nature by picking apples, pears and plums in Wirral or wander through the walled gardens of Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk.
With this year’s architecture theme, there are plenty of chances to nosy around beautiful buildings and places not usually open to the public. Visitors can explore the hidden chapels of Canterbury Cathedral, climb the striking Tower of Spite in Halifax, get lost in the hard-to-reach spaces of Forester Hall with a VR headset in Liskeard, or step inside the grand Banqueting House at Gibside. From the glamour of the Stockport Plaza Super Cinema to the serene surroundings of the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Oldham, the festival offers a rare opportunity to uncover the stories behind England’s most fascinating spaces – sacred, spectacular, and everything in between.
Every single Heritage Open Days event is free, including access to many sites that usually charge for admission. Some events require booking as outlined on event listings, but more than 3,600 need no booking at all! Amongst a buzzing nationwide programme, visitors can mark two special anniversaries this year – they can get in on the Railway200 mania with over 100 railway-focused events, whilst literary lovers can join the 250th birthday celebrations for Jane Austen by following in her footsteps across multiple events in Overton.
Everyone is invited to learn something new and uncover hundreds of under-told histories, from the activism of disabled suffragettes at the Pankhurst Centre to the legacy of Irene Duleep Singh and her impact on mental health and law. Visitors can follow an LGBTQ+ audio trail around Liverpool, explore Black Tudor history through a family-friendly adventure in London, or discover the contributions of Black inventors at Bradford City Hall. Other highlights include a musical journey into Hong Kong’s community heritage and a powerful exploration of Native American connections to British history.
“2025 is set to offer the most ambitious and wide-reaching Heritage Open Days programme yet, and it’s brimming with great things to do” said Liam Montgomery, HODs Marketing & Projects Manager, “whether it’s well-known landmarks and hidden architectural gems or community-led talks and immersive experiences, the sheer diversity of places and stories on offer is extraordinary. It’s a testament to the passion and dedication of local organisers and volunteers who make this celebration of our shared heritage possible.”
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “I’m delighted funding raised by our players is supporting Heritage Open Days for another year, and means that the public can enjoy all that it has to offer for free!
The festival is an incredible opportunity to celebrate England’s rich heritage by exploring the people and places that have helped shape it. With such a jam-packed programme, there is truly something for everyone and it’s a great opportunity to get a sneak peek behind the doors of special and unique sites usually closed off to the general public.”
To find out more about events visit https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/whats-on.html