Content hub

This painting has more to tell than a first glance shows. Benjamin Britten & Peter Pears - individually great musicians, but together simply extraordinary. Their partnership was celebrated on stage but had to be hidden off it. The rich symphony of that love story though is now told at their beautiful home with its extensive collection. Drawing on photographs and notes, but also the details hidden in receipts, bookplates, and this painting, Dr Christopher Hilton, Head of Archive & Library, is here to tell us more about their 40 year duet.

We had so much fun working with fourteen wonderful organisers across England this year as part of New Wave. The result was a jam-packed programme of unique events reflecting the passions of the young people involved: from creative competitions to LGBTQIA+ safe spaces – and plenty of snacks! Here's a recap of what happened this year.

We had so much fun working with eighteen wonderful organisers across England this year for New Wave. The result was an amazing programme of unique events co-created by almost 100 young people. From activism to ghost stories and silent discos to board games, here's a recap of what happened this year…

Magic and mayhem about sums up this season (oh no it doesn’t, oh yes it does!). Get in the mood and discover a little more about what goes on before, behind and on the stage with this post from the brilliant team at Crewe Lyceum Theatre.

Whether you’re a medieval monk or a Yorkshire punk, music has the power to bring people together. June 21st marks World Music Day, a global celebration of the joy of listening to, creating and performing music. Starting over 40 years ago as a French initiative, it has now spread to 120 countries, and there is certainly plenty of amazing musical heritage to be found on our doorstep. Get into the groove this September with events like these!

The opportunity to go behind the scenes of hundreds of sites, accessing buildings and objects that are usually locked away is one of the annual highlights of Heritage Open Days. Take advantage of this unique celebration to explore what goes on out of sight, and the crucial work undertaken by staff and volunteers that preserves our heritage for years to come.

From Roman soldiers to a Regency era ferryman, the rich history of African people in our country is a long one. A project in the North East has been researching these stories, sharing them through a range of resources and events – including a taster walk over our festival. As we couldn’t attend the walk we asked them to share a few stories here, highlighting the wonderful work they do and resource they are creating.

An amazing collection of shoemaking heritage including a curious machine that creates poetry in latin! The Alfred Gillett Trust has much to offer visitors but is not yet fully open to the public so Heritage Open Days provides a valuable opportunity for the team to share their stories. And in a year where we celebrated 'Astounding Inventions', that poetic machine stepped straight into the media spotlight!

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.

“We demand the Wayfarer’s Dole!” intriguing words that link us to our ancestors across the centuries. Discover their reward and the different meaning of old and new wayfaring in this beautiful blog from Dawn at the British Pilgrimage Trust. Our landscape may have changed, often dramatically, over time, but this just makes the survival of, and our continued journeys along, ancient paths all the more special.

Trumpets sound and drums roll please! We are delighted to reveal your complete Anniversary Gallery.

Vote for your favourite stories to fill our Anniversary Gallery!

From cutting edge innovations to little known and yes, occasionally quite weird and wonderful creations – the story of inventors and their inventions is a fascinating one. Delve deep into the world of discoveries with these events celebrating our Astounding Inventions theme.

LASERS! Yep, not the answer I expected when I asked colleagues for their pick of the most astounding innovations in archaeology! But there you go. Now we are not talking lightshows* after dark at the dig, or evil masterminds of science fiction,* though the science part is right. Laser technology has helped archaeology jump light years. Here are two brilliant members of the National Trust’s archaeology team to explain.

From chocolate worms to hair-raising gadgets and back to front furniture, a rummage amongst the collections of the National Trust doesn't always turn up what you expect! Assistant Curator, Katie Knowles is working on an exciting new book highlighting the curious inventions amongst the collection. Look out for it this autumn, but grab a cuppa and take 5 with us now for a sneak peak at some of the things she's found!

A Hindu place of worship in a modern building, beautifully decorated with traditional designs, welcomed many eager visitors over Heritage Open Days for the first time this year. Careful planning to engage a large new team of volunteers, ranging in age from 11-70+, meant they could spend more time with visitors enriching the experience for all.

The most northerly town in England was one of the first pioneers of Heritage Open Days. Its ongoing success as a festival hub is down to the work of many volunteers, working in partnership and willing to try new things. Since 2018 a multi-generational steering group has coordinated the brilliant progamme of events, drawing on its rich history to transform the town for a weekend, helping people see it in a new light.

Bring us some figgy pudding! In the red corner is a Medieval mash up, in the tinsel bedecked corner a Regency favourite! Are you ready for the contest of the season? Yes, Regency Cook, Paul Couchman is here to bring you history's contenders for the coveted Christmas title! Which pudding will stay the course?!

Beverley is an historic town in the East Riding of Yorkshire, a quiet, little known gem of a place that for the past 4 years has burnt extraordinarily brightly as a festival hotspot. This is thanks to the work of a brilliant local coordinator at Beverley Civic Society, who partners with the excellent long standing Hull programme to create an annual East Riding HODs hubbub. Plans were well underway for another great year in 2020 and then COVID-19 came along, but that was not going to stop this amazing team.