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Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture. Every September historic buildings and sites around the country open their doors to visitors so that they can discover the hidden histories behind them. And best of all? It’s all completely FREE!
This year from 6-15 September loads of businesses, heritage sites, creative venues and places of worship around Leicester and Leicestershire will be offering open sessions, tours and special events. This year there are new sites being added to the programme for you to discover!
Click here to see the full city listings.
Explore medieval history
Take a tour around some of Leicester’s most historic buildings, from the timber framed Guildhall to the last resting place of King Richard III Leicester Cathedral to the Magazine Gateway which once stood at the entrance to Leicester’s Castle precinct and St Margaret’s Church, a beautifully preserved medieval building.
Discover Leicester’s Victorian secrets
As one of the leading lights of the industrial revolution Leicester is packed with architecture and engineering that evokes this era. Take a tour of the majestic Beam Engine and Transport Sheds at Abbey Pumping Station or take a walk through the Glenfield Tunnel which once saw the fourth oldest railway in Britain pass through it. Come along to the Stoneygate Tram Depot, which is celebrating 150 years since the first horse-drawn tram travelled through the streets of Leicester. You can also take a Detective Tour with Tanky Smith and discover the story of the policeman who helped inspire Sherlock Holmes, stepping back into his shadowy world of disguises and criminals.
Explore places of worship
We know Leicester is one of the most diverse cities in the UK and that’s reflected in our places of worship. On top of the historic churches that you can explore, you can also look around leicester’s Grade II listed Synagogue, wow at the beautifully sculpted Jain Centre and see how a former Victorian bank has been transformed into the International Centre for Krishna Consciousness. And because Leicester is a place for all religions and none, the ats and crafts inspired Secular Hall is inviting you to explore this ‘Church without God’.
Learn more at Open Days
Also part of Heritage Open Days are some great open events where you can come along and learn more about a specific topic, or an area. Discover the chilling tales of Black Annis and the Nine o’Clock Horses with a dip into Leicester folklore, find out how Leicester’s Western Park suburb developed, learn from the experts who discovered Richard III at the University of Leicester’s Heritage Hub open day, and come along to the Leicestershire and Rutland Family History Society’s open day at Town Hall Square.
Go behind the scenes of iconic buildings
Leicester City Council’s Town Hall and City Hall are usually off limits but during Heritage Open Days you can go behind the scenes of these important and historic buildings. Discover how the magic of cinema happens as you go behind the scenes at Phoenix Leicester, meet the projectionists, learn how films and live shows are chosen and screened, and see 35mm film alongside the latest digital projection. The Y Theatre occupies a unique place in Leicester history and they have been digging into the archives to discover and share stories from colourful characters across the theatre’s dramatic 123-year life and bringing them to life.
Around Leicestershire
Heritage Open Days doesn’t end at the city boundaries, there’s loads happening around the county. Explore the inclined plane boat lift at Foxton Locks, travel through 529 years of history at Loughborough Grammar School, take a guided tour of Kibworth’s windmill, meet the master bellfounder at Loughborough’s Bellfoundry, explore military memorabilia at Charnwood Museum, or delve into the 300 year history of Lutterworth’s Masonic Temple. You can also join Bosworth Battlefield as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary and discover the story of two of England’s most famous and significant Kings.
Find out more on the Heritage Open Days website!
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As you plan your visits, remember that even though these events are free, the surrounding costs can add up—whether it's transportation, dining, or souvenirs. It’s a good idea to budget ahead and manage your finances to ensure you can enjoy these experiences without stress. Using credit cards can be convenient, but be cautious about interest rates and aim to pay off your balance quickly to avoid unnecessary debt. For larger expenses or if you find yourself overspending, consider personal loans with favorable terms as a more manageable option like this one https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/get-100-your-hands-right-now-quick-money-making-tips-denys-volhin-svppf .
By keeping your finances in check, you can fully enjoy the Heritage Open Days and all the amazing opportunities they offer while staying financially secure. Enjoy your exploration of history!