Heritage Open Days

07/04/2026

🪷Weeders and Lily-pickers🪷

Where do those graceful hotel flowers come from, and who picks them?

Meet the 17th century gardeners and more recent lily-pickers of Middleton Hall.

Volunteer, Debbie Jordan, has been researching the estate’s women workers across its centuries of history. She shares some of her discoveries here, but watch out for their event this September where more stories of Everyday Histories will be explored!

Visit the Link below to continue reading the article -
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/resource/working-women-weeders-and-lily-pickers.html

To read more on Heritage Open Day's Theme of Everyday stories visit -
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/resource/theme-2026-everyday-histories.html

30/03/2026

A Victorian cook, a dressmaker, and the last princesses of Punjab.

March is and over the last month we've had some wonderful stories shared on our blog by members of our organiser community.

Have a read of the stories here: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/news-resources/blog.html

📸 © Peter Bance Collection / © Craftivist Collective/Heritage Open Days 2019

02/03/2026

We're teaming up with leading family history website Findmypast for this year's festival theme Everyday Histories ✨ From factories and kitchens to dockyards and gardens, we’ll be uncovering the stories that shaped everyday life across England. 🛠️🍞🌿

With billions of historical records and detail-packed newspaper archives from every corner of England, Findmypast is the perfect resource to learn about family and local history. If you have a story to share you can get involved and benefit from extra support - including a free 3-month subscription for 100 organisers!

Registration is open from today 📢🗓️ Find out how you can get involved at

Inspiration, top tips and special offers to help you explore daily working life through the ages.

25/02/2026

Blackpool is one of Britain’s most famous seaside resorts and has long had a tradition of using any space possible as a stage – from beaches to cafés!

Over on the blog, Showtown Blackpool introduce us to three hidden historical stories of gender diversity from shows, magic and the seaside.

https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/resource/pride-beside-the-seaside.html

15/01/2026

Calling all Heritage Open Days organisers 📣

The call for Stories 2026 is here and it’s a great way to share your story about the work you've been doing in your community!

Last year, Love Oswestry were selected as one of the EHD stories. In recent years other event organisers have had similar success, including Oxford Open Doors & The Mills Archive Trust.

Apply now to share your story, selected stories may also be invited to apply for a grant of up to €10,000.

Deadline: 27 February

Full details here: https://www.europeanheritagedays.com/Story

09/01/2026

📢 Exciting Announcement! 📢

After receiving brilliant applications from across Leicestershire, we are delighted to announce our first-ever regional New Wave cohort...

Bradgate Park Trust 🌳
Harborough District Council 🏛️
Horninghold Heritage Project (St Peter's Horninghold) ⛪
Kainé Management Ltd 🖌️
Leicestershire LGBTQ Centre 🏳️‍🌈
Neurodiversity Support CIC 🌟
Pedestrian 🚶
RaRe Design Lab/Loughborough University 🤝
National Trust Stoneywell 🌳
The Y Theatre 🎭

These organisations will co-create with 18-30 year olds, creating exciting events for Heritage Open Days 2026. Keep an eye out for updates on this year's exciting New Wave programme!

07/01/2026

January means New Year Honours! 🎉

⭐ Each year, we celebrate some of the wonderful festival highlights of the previous year... from eye-catching event titles and descriptions to fun ways of embracing the year's theme.

See the full list here: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/resource/new-year-honours-2025-festival-favourites.html

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at , wishing you all a lovely day! ☃️🎄🎁

📸 The Drawing Room at Christmas, Hughenden, Buckinghamshire - ©National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole

19/12/2025

In celebration of Jane Austen 250, Hampshire Cultural Trust curated a fascinating exhibition focused on women in working roles, introducing us to the roles of housekeeper, governess and milliner in Georgian era England.

Discover a snapshot of 'Beyond the Bonnets: Working Women in Jane Austen’s Novels' on the blog: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/resource/beyond-the-bonnets-working-women-in-jane-austen-s-novels.html

📸Image by Kathleen Palmer

17/12/2025

From snowflakes made of diamonds to a room made of seashells, delve into the history of some of the National Trust's treasured collections before the return of the popular BBC series 'Hidden Treasures of the National Trust' with a special festive episode! ❄️

Read the full blog here: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/resource/hidden-treasures-of-the-national-trust.html

© Blast Films / Trey Farley

27/11/2025

For our festival this year The Pankhurst Museum organised an event highlighting the history of disability activism and social movements.

This included the story of Rosa May Billinghurst, a formidable woman and celebrated suffragette.

Discover more about her life and political activism on the blog: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/resource/disabled-suffragettes.html

📸 LSE Library - CC Wikimedia