Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s architecture and culture by allowing visitors free access to interesting properties that are either not usually open, or would normally charge an entrance fee. Heritage Open Days also includes tours, events and activities that focus on local architecture and culture. This year, Heritage Open Days will run from 9-12 September.

Organised by volunteers – usually property owners or managers – for local people, Heritage Open Days is England’s biggest and most popular voluntary cultural event. Last year the event attracted around 1 million visitors. English Heritage gives central co-ordination and a national voice to the event.

Heritage Open Days provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy these sometimes hidden, often curious and always interesting places in English cities, towns and villages – and completely free of charge.

Civic society members, property owners, estate managers, visitors, conservation officers, company directors, parishioners, tourism managers, education officers – people from all walks of life who care about and take pride in the environment they live in make Heritage Open Days happen. We would like to bring people and places together, encourage you and thousands of others to explore the buildings on your doorstep and to become an active member of the community.

Follies, contemporary buildings, churches, factories, tunnels, temples, offices, private homes, industrial sites, castles, windmills, town halls – guided walks, concerts, re-enactment, trails, role-plays, children’s activities – the variety of places and ways to discover them are endless.

Heritage Open Days was established in 1994 as England’s contribution to European Heritage Days, in which 49 countries now participate. In the UK, four other schemes open up places in September: Open House London, Doors Open Days in Scotland, Open Doors Days in Wales and European Heritage Days in Northern Ireland.

Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive, English Heritage, says: “Heritage Open Days this year is set to be even bigger than last year, so even if you are a regular Heritage Open Days-goer there will be something new for you to see and do. This is a chance to explore not just country houses but the history and culture of everything from Buddhist temples and Masonic lodges to mines, farms, pubs and factories.

“Heritage Open Days is about people and places; it celebrates community and reflects the importance of the built environment in our lives and to our quality of life. It is organised by local people who dedicate their spare time to opening properties and staging activities, and it is their knowledge and enthusiasm that makes Heritage Open Days happen.”

To find out more, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk.

Editor, Third Age.