Some of the best free days out during Heritage Open Days

If you’re looking for something different to do this September WITHOUT spending any money, then check out what’s on offer during Heritage Open Days.

This annual event is back from 11 to 20 September, giving you the chance to discover fascinating buildings, hear forgotten stories, explore local history and try something completely new, all for free.

What are Heritage Open Days?

Every September, thousands of volunteers across England come together to celebrate Britain’s history and culture as part of Heritage Open Days.

You can step inside hidden or normally inaccessible places, meet the people who care for them and experience your local heritage in a completely different way, without spending a penny.

Heritage Open Days began in 1994 as England’s contribution to European Heritage Days, an initiative launched by the Council of Europe in 1985 to raise awareness and appreciation of Europe’s cultural heritage and the importance of protecting it.

Today, 50 countries take part, each putting its own spin on the event and showcasing the incredible diversity of Europe’s heritage and the connections between different cultures.

In England, Heritage Open Days has grown dramatically since its launch, when there were 701 events. Today, there are more than 5,000 events for you to discover.

So, where should you go?

Here are some of the best free days out you can enjoy during this year’s Heritage Open Days.

Greater Manchester

There are more than 150 events across Greater Manchester and the wider North West, giving you plenty of opportunities to explore something new.

At the People’s History Museum, you can explore your own family history, using records and newspaper archives to uncover stories connected to working lives, migration, activism and social change.

If football is more your thing, head to Wigan, where you can explore Wigan Athletic’s Heritage Museum. You’ll be able to discover the club’s story, from its formation in 1932 and its former Springfield Park home through to its famous FA Cup victory and more recent history.

And there’s an added bonus for football fans, visitors will have the opportunity to pick up free tickets to a Wigan Athletic match.

Gnosall Lock-Up, Staffordshire

If you fancy discovering one of Staffordshire’s more unusual historic buildings, then head to the tiny Gnosall Lock-Up. It’s one of just three surviving cells in Staffordshire built in response to civil unrest caused by rising unemployment in the 1830s.

The Grade II-listed building was moved to its current home on Sellman Street in the 1970s after the council proposed widening the road junction where it originally stood.

You can visit this fascinating little piece of local history on 12 September, from 10am to 12.30pm.

London

There are so many Open Heritage Day venues available in the capital. Here’s just a few for starters.

London Canal Museum

Step into London’s fascinating canal past at the London Canal Museum, where you can explore a narrowboat exhibit and discover the people, horses and trades that once made the canals their workplace.

The museum is housed in a Victorian ice warehouse built in the early 1860s for Carlo Gatti, a Swiss-Italian entrepreneur who imported natural ice from Norway and used London’s canals to transport it from the docks.

You can even look down into the building’s two enormous ice wells, the only Victorian ice wells in the UK that you can see.

The museum is offering free entry on 14 and 15 September.

London Highlights Walking Tour: A Soundtrack to the City

If you’d rather explore London on foot, you can take yourself on a 5.6-mile self-guided walking tour from the Palace of Westminster to London Bridge.

Along the way, you’ll pass famous landmarks including Big Ben and Borough Market while discovering unexpected stories through vivid storytelling and atmospheric soundscapes.

It’s a great way for you to see some of London’s best-known sights while discovering the history and stories behind them.

Dodford Children's Farm, Worcestershire

If you’re looking for a free day out that the whole family can enjoy, Dodford Children's Farm could be just the ticket.

The nine-acre Worcestershire site has welcomed children to meet its ponies, livestock and guinea pigs since 1951. With woodland and a stream to explore, the farm continues to welcome children from disadvantaged backgrounds, working with schools, social workers and health visitors.

During Heritage Open Days, you can explore the farm on 15 and 16 September, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

Pre-booking is required, so make sure you reserve your place before you travel.

Liverpool

Turner Home Liverpool talk

Discover the remarkable history of Turner Home Liverpool, an extraordinary building designed by architect Alfred Waterhouse as a rest home in the 1880s, and one that continues to provide residential care today.

On 15 September, you can join talks exploring the unique architecture and history of the building and discover more about this fascinating part of Liverpool’s heritage.

Classic Liverpool Bus Running Day

Step back in time on 13 September with the Merseyside Transport Trust’s Classic Liverpool Bus Running Day.

The trust will bring out its collection of classic buses representing the types that operated on local routes during the second half of the 20th century.

You can enjoy free rides around Liverpool city centre, recreating the sights, sounds and even the atmosphere of bus travel from decades ago.

As you travel through the city, you’ll also get the chance to see Liverpool’s diverse historic architecture from a completely different perspective.

Birmingham

Vintage Midland Red Bus and St Mary's Church Tour

Fancy a trip down memory lane?

On 16 September, you can climb aboard a No. 5905 Midland Red Class S22 single-decker bus, built by the Midland Red company in Birmingham in 1968.

The vintage bus will take you on a nostalgic journey, including a stop in Clifton-upon-Dunsmore, where you can visit the historic St Mary’s Church.

It’s a chance for you to combine transport history with a fascinating glimpse into the area’s architectural and religious heritage.

Brighton

Explore Brighton Dome

On 20 September, you can explore Brighton Dome and discover the stories of the people who have worked there over more than two centuries.

From stable hands and nurses to stage technicians and record promoters, you’ll discover the often-overlooked people whose work has helped keep this remarkable building alive.

You’ll be able to see Brighton Dome from a completely different perspective and celebrate the people behind one of the city’s best-known historic venues.

Plan your free day out

These are just a handful of the thousands of events taking place during Heritage Open Days.

Whether you want to explore a historic building, delve into your family history, ride a vintage bus, discover London's canals or simply find somewhere you’ve never been before, there’s a good chance you’ll find something to enjoy near you.

Before you head off, make sure you check the Heritage Open Days website for the latest event information. Some events require you to book in advance, while others may have limited capacity or specific arrival times.

So, pick a date, choose an adventure and get ready to discover a side of England’s history that you might never normally get to see, without spending a penny.