Cumbria

Properties and events in Cumbria

Before heading out for your Heritage Open Days visit, please check entries for last-minute changes.

Print selected events below

A Celebration of a Society Painter - a talk on George Romney at Sizergh with Alex Kidson

National Trust, Sizergh Castle, Sizergh, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AE
In person
Pre-booking required

Join us in the Drawing Room for a fascinating insight into one of the most fashionable portrait painters of the 1700s. George Romney expert Alex Kidson, will be delving into the early career of the local artist and his connections to Sizergh.

Acorn Bank Watermill

Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SP
In person
Pre-booking not required

Come and see the 19th Century mill in action and learn about the progress made in restoring the second waterwheel to working condition and the architecture of the various phases of the mill complex.

Alchemy in Appleby at the Colour Makers House

The Colour Makers House, 2 High Wiend, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, CA16 6RD
In person
Pre-booking not required

Discover how Alchemy transforms waste from the lead industry into bright blues and greens that grace stately homes in the workshops of the Colour Makers House, rebuilt in 1677.

Alston Town Walk

Fairhill Recreation Ground, A689 (Nenthead Road), Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3HS
In person
Pre-booking not required

See the notable sites of Alston.

Backbarrow Ironworks Heritage Trust

Backbarrow Ironworks, Ironworks Road, Backbarrow, Ulverston, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8RF
In person
Pre-booking required

Backbarrow Ironworks is one of the first built [1711] in the North of England continuing for over 250 years until 1965. This amazingly long period of iron production represents the best illustration of iron smelting technology develoment nationally.

Brougham Hall Guided Tours

Brougham, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2DE
In person
Book on day

Walking tour around Brougham Hall Highlighting it history and future.

Drybeck Hall

Drybeck Hall, Drybeck, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, CA16 6TF
In person
Pre-booking not required

Drybeck Hall dates from 1679. It is Grade II listed and a typical Cumbrian cross passage house with attached bank barn.

Guided Tours of Kendal Parish Church

Kendal Parish Church, Kirkland, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5AF
In person
Book on day

Take a tour round Kendal Parish Church, Kendal's oldest building and the largest Church in the County. Learn some of its history its secrets and its stories as we take you round on a fun informative tour. Children's activities available.

Guided tours of St Michael's Burgh by Sands

St Michael's Church, St Michael's Church, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA5 6AW
In person
Pre-booking not required

St Michael's Church stands on the site of the Roman fort of Aballava on Hadrian's Wall and is made of stone from the wall itself. It has had an interesting history over the centuries and is well worth a visit.

Guides Tours of St Michael's Bowness-on-Solway

St Michael's Church, Bowness-on-Solway, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 5AF
In person
Pre-booking not required

A sturdy Norman church with massive buttresses, built just outside the site of the westernmost fort on Hadrian's Wall (Fort Maia).

Holy Trinity Church Kendal

Holy Trinity Church, Kirkland, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5AF
In person
Pre-booking not required

Display of clergy copes and stoles.

Holy Trinity, Kendal Parish Church Bell Tower

Kendal Parish Church, Kirkland, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5AF
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Visit our magnificent Bell Tower. Climb to the ringing room and then to the bell chamber in the company of our Bell Captain and team of ringers.

Kendal and The International Slave Trade Guided Town Trail

Town Hall, Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4ED
In person
Pre-booking required

While Kendal was not a major trading town of enslaved peoples it was involved in the Slave Trade. This guided trail is a chance to better understand how the town contributed to and benefitted from this involvement.

Kendal Mayor's Parlour History Talks

Town Hall, Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4ED
In person
Pre-booking required

This is a chance to view some of Kendal’s beautiful heritage items and to learn about the history of the town and how it has developed over the years. A relaxed talk with the opportunity to ask questions and handle some of the items.

Kendal Unitarian Chapel

Branthwaite Brow, Market Place, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4TN
In person
Pre-booking not required

Discover Kendal's oldest nonconformist chapel, built in 1720, with gardens including a unique Multi-faith Garden of Remembrance.

Meet the 'Residents' Walk & Talk

St Augustine of Canterbury Church, Front Street, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3QW
In person
Pre-booking not required

A tour of St Augustine's graveyard and its inhabitants.

Moot Hall Council Chamber

Moot Hall, Boroughgate, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, CA16 6YB
In person
Pre-booking not required

Recently refurbished (2022), the Moot Hall is still used for its original purpose. Official Town Council Business is conducted in the Council Chamber, just as in centuries past. Downstairs now hosts the Tourist Information Centre and Exhibition Room.

National Trust - Aira Force Guided Heritage Walk

National Trust, Aira Force, Watermillock, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0JS
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Join a member of our team on a free guided walk.

National Trust - Fell Foot Guided Walk

Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8NN
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Join a member of the National Trust team and discover Fell Foot's fascinating history with a guided walk around the grounds.

National Trust Langdale - Guided heritage walk

National Trust Stickle Ghyll car park, Great Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9JU
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Join a member of the National Trust team for a free guided walk to see some of the historic and natural highlights of this stunning and iconic valley.