Open Day
12 October: visit our exhibition and take a look behind the scenes on one of our Coleshill Village Open Days.
- Booking not needed
- Admission applies
Our current exhibition explores the legacy of the creative people who made their home on the Coleshill estate or drew inspiration from it.
Fragments salvaged from Coleshill House after it was lost to fire in 1952 reveal glimpses of the creativity and skill that went into its design and construction. Tools from the estate demonstrate the innovative agricultural and rural practices carried out here.
Objects and images represent some of the artists and designers who lived and worked here, from William Morris to Michie Herbert. You can also discover more about the craftspeople who work from studios here today, and find out why it's so important to keep heritage skills alive.
As part of the wider Coleshill Village Open Day, our replica WW2 Operational Base will be open, giving visitors a chance to see how Britain’s secret army would have lived after an invasion has taken place. Find out more about this often forgotten bit of Britain’s wartime history.
Coleshill’s watermill will also be open, offering a rare chance to see an 18th Century mill with much of its original machinery still in place. Learn about how the power of water was harnessed to make flour and find out about the many milling phrases that have entered day-to-day use.
The last Open Day of 2025 take place on 12 October, 2-5pm. Free entry for National Trust members, otherwise entry is £10 per adult, £5 per child. No pre-booking.
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| Adult | £10.00 |
| Child | £5.00 |
| Concession National Trust members | £0.00 |
The basics
- Suitability
Children welcome.
- Meeting point
The Heritage and Rural Skills Centre is in Coleshill village. Follow signs for the Coleshill Estate Office for the car park.
- What to bring and wear
Wear sensible shoes for going around the Mill in the Operational Base.
- Accessibility
Toilets on site, including accessible toilet. Some uneven surfaces such as cobbles due to the historic nature of the building. Please contact us if you require an accessible parking space or if you would like to have an informal chat about access before you book.
Upcoming events
Intermediate Blacksmithing
4 September: a full day workshop learning more advanced blacksmithing skills with Master Blacksmith David Gregory.
Guided Tours: Secrets of Coleshill
17 April to 11 October, 1pm and 2.30pm Thursdays and Saturdays: find out more about some of the lesser-known chapters of the estate’s history and look behind the scenes of the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre.
2 Day Introduction to Letter Cutting in Wood
13-14 September: explore the various processes of letter cutting in wood as you create your own small plaque in this weekend course.
Make a Set of Silver Stacker Rings in a Day with the Bishopsland Educational Trust
13 September and 25 October: design and make your own set of silver stacking rings.