Find out more about Heritage Open Days
Discover more about the festival and this year's programme.
Heritage Open Days
Between 11 and 20 September, everyone is welcome to discover hidden histories and local stories with a packed programme of free things to do during Heritage Open Days 2026. Find out where you can visit.
Heritage Open Days invites everyone to explore and connect with their local area. This free festival is brought to you by the National Trust, supported by players of Postcode Lottery, and powered by thousands of local organisations and volunteers.
Every September, thousands of places put up strings of pink bunting and bring history to life through a packed programme with 10 days of free things to do. It’s all about doorstep discovery – whether you’re stepping into a Cold War bunker or a crematorium, a museum or a mandir, a lido or a lighthouse, a canal boat or a colliery, a signal box or a submarine. The festival offers thousands of free, community-led events all over England, with endless opportunity for discovering something new.
Many of the places we care for will be taking part along with hundreds of organisations across the country. You can find the full list of events on the Heritage Open Days website from June, with new events added daily until the festival in September.
Spotlight on Everyday Histories
From working lives to cherished rituals, many events will focus in on this year’s festival theme, ‘Everyday Histories’ presented by leading family history website Findmypast. Lots of events will explore the varied and often overlooked stories of ordinary working people and their daily lives. From factory floors, workhouses and high streets to kitchens, schools, and community centres, this theme shines a light on working-class voices, local superheroes and the part-of-the-furniture places that have quietly shaped England’s heritage.
About Heritage Open Days
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture. The festival launched in 1994, came into the care of the Trust in 2011 and has been supported by players of Postcode Lottery since 2015. It’s an important part of how we inspire millions to care about local history.
The festival is England’s contribution to European Heritage Days, taking place across 50 countries. Other events in the UK include Open Doors Days in Wales, European Heritage Open Days in Northern Ireland and Doors Open Days in Scotland.
Heritage Open Days brings communities together in a truly unique way, shining a light on the stories, spaces and skills that shape our shared history.
A quote by Laura ChowPeople’s Postcode Lottery Head of Charities
Our partners
Supported by funds raised by players of Postcode Lottery and awarded by Postcode Earth Trust.
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Postcode Lottery
Players of Postcode Lottery have been supporting our projects since 2013, raising £8,681,500 to date. From funding Heritage Open Days to contributing to our work at the Castlefield Viaduct, their help has made a big difference. Learn more about the projects that have been made possible thanks to their support.
Uncovering stories with Findmypast
In collaboration with family history website Findmypast, we've been exploring the 1921 Census of England and Wales. It’s helped us get closer to understanding what life was like at 10 places in our care during a time when people were recovering from war and pandemic. Learn about the stories we’ve uncovered and find out how you can look into your own family history. By clicking this link, you’ll access a third-party website. Please see their privacy policy for how they handle your personal data.
Unique houses
Learn about some of the most unusual houses we look after. There's a hydroelectric-powered Arts and Crafts home with an early dishwasher, a 16-sided house and even a Jacobean time capsule to visit.
Family-friendly gardens
Plan a day out with the whole family at the gardens and parks in our care. Get closer to nature with buggy-friendly paths and find natural play areas near you.
Connecting people and places through creativity
Creativity and art can enhance our everyday lives and bring us closer to beauty, nature, history and each other. Find out how we're connecting people and places through art, and learn about past, present and upcoming projects.
