Widely known as the home of General James Wolfe and Sir Winston Churchill, the everyday stories of Westerham, Kent are just as powerful. This September, Quebec House is taking part in Heritage Open Days, the annual celebration of heritage, community and history with free entry, talks, guided walks and family history research opportunities.
What’s on at Quebec House for Heritage Open Days?
Read on to find out more about what’s on at Quebec House for Heritage Open Days including which events require pre-booking for free tickets.
Discover the family home of James Wolfe
Friday 11–20 September 2026 (excluding Mondays and Tuesdays), times vary
Free entry, booking not needed.
The Battle of Quebec changed the course of history, and this story is revealed at the small but charming childhood home of the battle's victor, General James Wolfe, hidden away in the heart of Westerham. Discover how James would have been schooled, the pastimes the family enjoyed and what life as a soldier would have been like.
The Story of the Westerham Foundlings—an Exhibition in the Coach House
Friday 11–20 September 2026 (excluding Mondays and Tuesdays), times vary
Free entry, booking not needed.
New for 2026, explore the fascinating story of the 18th century children who, left in the care of the London Foundling Hospital, then came to live in Westerham. Uncover the role played by the maternal love tokens left with the children, and see those created by school children today in collaboration with children's charity, Coram.
Friday 11–20 September 2026 (excluding Mondays and Tuesdays), 11.30am–2pm
Free entry, booking not needed.
Supported by Findmypast, sponsor of this year's Heritage Open Days festival theme 'Everyday Histories', visit the Coach House and use the interactive touchscreen to build your family tree and access billions of genealogy records on findmypast.co.uk.
Need some extra help to get started? Between 11.30am and 2pm, our volunteers will be on hand to help you navigate the records and chat over those knotty questions.
Friday 11, Wednesday 16, Friday 18, Saturday 19 September, 11am–12noon, Meet at Quebec House
Free, booking essential
Discover the changing, and occasionally not so changing, face of Westerham on a guided stroll around the town. With the help of historic photographs, hear how the town has been shaped by those who lived and worked here. Please note that the tour starts at Quebec House and finishes in the town centre. Places are limited.
When a branch of the London Foundling Hospital was established in Westerham in July 1760, Mrs Ann Wadham was tasked as its matron. Her role was to manage the branch, overseeing everything from the arrival of the children to the hiring of the staff.
Come along and meet 'Mrs Wadham' as she shares a fascinating insight into how children in the hospital were looked after and what happened when they were poorly.
Sunday 13 September, 2–2.45pm, upstairs in the Coach House
Free, booking essential
On 10 April 1758, a baby boy was left in the care of the London Foundling Hospital. From the humblest of beginnings, this small child, who never knew his parents, grew up to father a family that now encircles the globe. Come and hear how, through tireless family history research, his story came to light as told by one of his descendants, Helen Warren.
Talk: How local history brings family stories to life
Thursday 17 September, 11.30am–12.15pm, upstairs in the Coach House
Free, booking essential
Join Findmypast’s genealogist, Jen Baldwin, as she shows how to get started with discovering your own family history. Learn how to go beyond names and dates. Discover how the places your ancestors lived can help you uncover their stories. With illuminating examples connected to Quebec House, this engaging introduction to family and local history reveals how records like censuses, parish registers and newspapers bring everyday histories into focus.
Learn simple ways to start tracing your family tree and uncover local details that add colour and context. You’ll leave inspired – and equipped – to delve deeper and really understand the lives that shaped who you are today.
Thursday 17 September, 2–2.45pm, upstairs in the Coach House
Free, booking essential
Edmund Dye, Thomas and Harriet Newton, Edward Evenden, Herbert Bird and Edward Newton. These names, now lost to the past, are those that the people of Victorian era Westerham would have known well. Join local historian Bill Curtis, as he shares tales of local notables and gives a flavour of what it was like to live and work in Victorian era Westerham.
Saturday 19 September, 2–2.45pm, upstairs in the Coach House
Free, booking essential
In February 1851, a baby girl was discovered in a laundry basket in a London square. Hear from her great-granddaughter as she shares what happened next, Lucy's life in the care of the Foundling Hospital and beyond.
Monday 14 September, 10am–5pm, last entry to garden 4.30pm, last entry to house is 4pm.
Free entry, booking not needed.
Enjoy free access to both the house and garden and discover the stories that shaped the much-loved home of Sir Winston Churchill and his family.
Please note entry to the house is via timed-entry tickets issued by the Visitor Centre on a first-come, first served basis. The house is open from 11am with last entry at 4pm.
Guided tour: Beyond the plants: the people behind Chartwell's garden
Monday 14 September, 45-minute tours on the hour, first tour from 10am, final tour starts 3pm.
Free, booking essential
Explore the garden at Chartwell on this outdoor tour. Hear about how the formal gardens we know today came to be. Discover how the passions and interests of Winston and Clementine Churchill are reflected in the landscape they shaped. Our guides will share stories of those who dedicated their working lives to caring for the gardens and ensuring the Churchills’ vision was fulfilled.
Monday 14 September, 11–11.45am in the Mulberry Room above the café
Free, booking essential
Join us for a special talk as Nonie Chapman reflects on more than five decades working closely with the Churchill family.
In April 1964, a 21-year-old Nonie stepped nervously over Chartwell’s threshold to begin a temporary role, one that would become a remarkable 50-year career. In this engaging and personal talk, Nonie shares first-hand stories from her time working for and alongside the Churchill family, travelling with Clementine Churchill, and later working for the Soames family. Hear delightful anecdotes collected over decades of experiences, both the everyday and the not so ordinary!
Enjoy free access for the weekend at Emmetts Garden and discover everything this Edwardian hillside garden has to offer. To allow plenty of time to enjoy the garden, please arrive no later than 4pm.
Heritage Open Days is England's largest community led festival of history and culture. The festival is brought to you by the National Trust and supported by Postcode Lottery players, with an exciting programme of events delivered locally by thousands of organisations and volunteers.
Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all free.
Presented by leading family history website, Findmypast, the Heritage Open Days theme for 2026 is Everyday Histories, exploring stories of daily lives through homes and workplaces, through family and local history.
Find out more about Heritage Open Days including the directory of events taking place around the country and how to get involved on the Heritage Open Days website.
Discover more at Quebec House
Find out when Quebec House is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Find out about the life of General James Wolfe, who led British forces to victory at the Battle of Quebec, from where this Georgian house takes its name.
Explore this Georgian town house where General James Wolfe grew up. Discover information about his military life, including the Battle of Quebec after which the house is named. Find out about upcoming events including the 'Story of the Westerham Foundlings' exhibition in the Coach House. Remember to pre-book your timed-entry tickets.
Explore the fascinating story of the 18th century children left in the care of the Foundling Hospital in Westerham. Discover the role of maternal love tokens, and see those created by school children of today in a new exhibition at Quebec House. This is a free exhibition in the Coach House and was created in collaboration with Coram, the UK's first and longest-serving children’s charity.
