Heritage Open Days (FREE ENTRY)
Discover Ormesby Hall for free as part of Heritage Open Days 2026 - England’s largest festival of history and culture.
- Booking not needed
- Free event
For two weekends this September, we’re opening the doors and inviting everyone to discover Ormesby Hall with completely free admission.
Whether you’ve lived in Middlesbrough all your life and never visited, haven't been for years, or simply fancy discovering somewhere new, this is the perfect opportunity to explore a remarkable piece of local history.
Step inside the historic Hall and uncover more than 400 years of stories from the Pennyman family, discover our current Northern School of Art exhibition and visit the much-loved model railway. Outside, wander through the gardens and orchard or head further into the estate along our accessible Multi-User Trail.
Our café and second-hand bookshop will also be open, so you can make a day of it.
Free entry dates: Friday 11 – Sunday 13 September Friday 18 – Sunday 20 September 10.30am–4pm
No general admission booking is required.
We’ll also be offering a programme of special activities across our Heritage Open Days:
Conservation in Action – Friday 11 & Friday 18 September, 10.30am–1.30pm
Park to Park Heritage Walk – Saturday 12 September, 10.30am–1.30pm (Booking essential)
Volunteer Recruitment Day – Friday 18 September
Garden Tour – Friday 18 September, 1pm
Times
The basics
- Accessibility
Please note access to the first floor and model railway layouts is by stairs only. There are steep steps into the Victorian Laundry.
- Other
The first floor of the house and model railway layouts is accessed by stairs only. Steep steps into the Laundry.
Upcoming events
Secrets of the Collection: Art
This year Ormesby Hall celebrates the Pennyman family’s artistic legacy through an arts collections focused exhibition
Northern School of Art student exhibition
This year Ormesby Hall celebrates the Pennyman family’s artistic legacy through an exciting collaboration with The Northern School of Art A-level students.
Murder Mystery Night at Ormesby Hall - Death at Downturn
On Friday 25 September, in partnership with Tall Tales Mysteries, Ormesby Hall plays host to 'Death at Downturn'.
Ormesby 10k run
Join More Than A Run and the National Trust, who have partnered to bring you the Ormesby 10k held monthly on a Sunday.