Festival spotlights

What inspired the writers of our most beloved books? Perhaps a visit to the places they knew well holds the answers and might spark some creative ideas of our own?! In Jane Austen's 250th anniversary year we invite you to discover some of the lesser known places associated with her, and explore the homes of other famous writers.

This may be our year of architecture, but we can’t overlook nature’s architects and the abundance of events in amongst England’s flora and fauna. From forests filled with art to glimpses of wildlife, intricately designed gardens to the sounds of nature - there’s adventures aplenty to be found outdoors this September!

Secret spaces and backstage passes – we all love to explore beyond the barriers! Well get ready, this September Heritage Open Days is giving you that VIP access to some hidden heritage – indulge your curiosity with tours of secret gardens, underground streets, and private mansions!

Bring on the cake and candles, railways are celebrating a BIG birthday this year! Have you spotted the bunting at stations yet? It’s been 200 years since the first passengers took a train from Stockton to Darlington so there are lots of stories to explore. Here are just some of our festival events that will help you do just that – from tiny trains to enormous one of a kind bridges it’s full steam ahead this September!

Drumroll please, we’ve cut the (virtual) ribbon and the path to England’s biggest festival of history and culture is now open! Yes, our event directory is up and running with over 1,500 events already registered and ready for you to sift through! From the architecture of chocolate to mythical stories and the nature reserve grown from a brickworks it’s shaping up to be a really creative year. These are the team’s first picks from the listings, but what will you choose?

Several days down, but there is still more to come! Time's ticking by fast as we move into the second half of the 2024 Heritage Open Days festival. Here's a sneak preview of some amazing events we think you shouldn't miss in the final days.

Can’t travel to that great event? Fancy catching something quick whilst waiting at a bus stop? Try one of these great online options – from ancient farms to modern airports via social media posts to live webinars, there are so many ways to explore our heritage this week!

Buckle up - we couldn't have a theme of Routes-Networks-Connections and not give you a whole spotlight full of cars, buses, boats and trains now could we?! Here are just some of the hundreds upon hundreds of fab free events offering you the chance to see, step aboard, maybe even take a ride in, or on, a huge variety of vehicles. What are you waiting for, the festival has begun - all aboard the Heritage Open Days Express!

What brings us together? Are you a traveller or a host? At the heart of our festival theme this year is people - so here are 12 great events exploring the routes we've taken and connections made throughout history.

From undersea fibre-optic cables to lacework coffeepots and 'Aylesburys' around the world - our festival community have pulled out all the stops for this year's theme. For our anniversary we're celebrating how people and ideas have moved around and come together throughout history. The transport routes, communication networks, trade unions and social clubs. The travellers who have spread ideas and the hosts who welcome them. There are so many links on our doorsteps just waiting to connect us, near and far. What will you discover?

Whether you want to spend an evening discussing Viking treasure, take a walk with a textile artist or just explore fascinating historic sites and stories, this September you are spoilt for choice! Yes, European Heritage Days are back. We’ve been highlighting all the free joyful events here in England but there's even more to explore beyond our borders - here’s a taste of what’s happening elsewhere in the UK… and beyond!

Get ready for more fun and fascinating events - from silent discos to scavenger hunts, and mini festivals to board game nights. New Wave returns for a fourth year, and this time we have a bigger cohort than ever before collaborating with young people to produce unique, innovative events.

From the glamour of the theatre to details of how to put people to sleep – VocalEyes have chosen an interesting mix of event highlights! We look forward to working more with this great team going forwards to encourage accessible, sensory events for all. Here are 7 of their favourites from this year.

What do beetles and trees sound like? Where have they come from? What swims in your local stream or scurries through the long grass? Ever fancied a go at scything that grass? So many questions! Prepare for a sensory adventure as you head outside to find answers this September.

Heritage Open Days is the perfect time to have a family day out – from trails and games to crafts and connecting with nature, there’s something for all the family to enjoy this September – and best of all it’s all FREE!

When I grow up I want to be a… costume designer / gardener / scientist / wheelwright?! Whatever role takes your fancy, find out what it’s really like to be one this September. Meet the experts, watch their work, ask them questions, and maybe even have a go yourself!

Take a dive into the history of sport and perhaps even have a go at some new activities. It’s set to be a bumper summer of international competition and you may think the games will all be over when autumn comes. But from a Crown Green Cup to ‘The Useless Bike’ there will be so much to explore, and play for, this September!

We all love a secret – something to uncover, discover, or solve. From exploring underground places to a sneak peek behind the scenes, it's hard to not relish discovering something new… and luckily, during Heritage Open Days, you can do just that! We’ve hand-picked some secret spaces, places and behind the scenes experiences you can enjoy this September, from cathedrals and crypts to rarely open places – what will you discover?

Roll out the pink carpet and discover the sites you have seen on the big or little screen, in new ways. From discovering a relocated bridge from Harry Potter or running away with Alice through the looking glass - you could even say that Heritage Open Days has got The Full Monty!

Early festival highlights! It's never too early to start searching for your next doorstep discovery. Over 1,600 events are now live on the directory and 1,000s more will be added in the run up to our September festival. From historic graffiti and craft activities to a peek behind the scenes of a high street giant – here are some of the team's first favourites from the listings, but what would you pick?