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What links vampire bunnies, a painted room, a forgotten princess and a slave trade trail? They are all part of the amazing rainbow of our heritage waiting to be explored this September. From thrilling and fun to inspiring and thought-provoking - we challenged the Kids in Museums Youth Panel to choose a favourite event from our listings and this is their incredible selection.

From casting big, booming bells to mixing delicate paint colours - discover some of the amazing crafts that have been passed down the generations. Meet the experts practicing them today and maybe even have a go yourself!

Ever wondered about those mysterious lumps and bumps in the landscape? Or the curious bits of pot turning up in the garden? Archaeology is everywhere, and this September you can meet some experts to answer your questions. Learn how archaeologists read the landscape, peel back its layers and research the stories of our past – then maybe have a go yourself!

Do you have a budding architect in your family? Someone that loves a puzzle, or maybe just wants to dance, dance, dance?! Then check out these events chosen by the brilliant team at Kids in Museums to inspire your search for things to do this September.

From tidal waters and shimmering sands, to rushing rivers and an extensive canal network - we are a watery nation! Explore our coastal and waterways heritage this September with shipwreck tales, lighthouse maps, boats and barges to board, plus experts to quiz.

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.

From the tea pavilion housing a rare camellia collection to a very special outdoor swimming pool – England has had some fascinating winners in these prestigious awards. Discover a little more about them, what it takes to win, and what that win can do with Sara Robertson’s introduction. Applications are open now for 2026 - could we be highlighting you next year?

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!

Each year 8 projects are recognised across Europe and awarded up to €10,000 to celebrate local community heritage. This year the team at Love Oswestry secured this significant grant to invest in their programme.

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!

Want to take part in Heritage Open Days, but not sure how? Here are our top tips which will make all the difference when planning, registering & running your HODs events, to make sure that you can make the most of being involved with Heritage Open Days.

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?

Discover the story of England’s oldest brick gate – the people who made it and the magnificent material it is made from. Do you know what a squynchion is? Can you spot the difference between a Queen Anne front and a Mary-Ann behind? Follow the Beverley brick road for an insight into the history of this essential building block and a rather special bar made from it!

The winners have been announced for the annual Museums + Heritage Awards and we're delighted to be recognised for our work supporting the Heritage Open Days community!

The country's largest festival of history and culture returns 12-21 September 2025.