Discover new places with Heritage Open Days at the National Trust
Share
From 13 to 22 September, special National Trust places across the country will once again be throwing open their doors to celebrate Heritage Open Days. And what’s more, entrance to these historical landmarks will be free for at least one day over the weekend.
See a re-enactment of the War of the Roses, complete with gunpowder, archery and swordfights, or float along on a luxurious Steam Yacht Gondola from the Victorian age.
Here are some of the National Trust’s highlights for the Heritage Open Days weekend…
1. Croft Castle, Herefordshire
Battle of Mortimer’s Cross, 10 – 11 September, 10am – 7pm
Head down to Croft Castle www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croft-castle-and-parkland for a weekend of living history. See hundreds of demonstrators bring to life one of the most significant battles of the Wars of the Roses, with gunpowder, archery and swordfights. See the Yorkist and Lancastrian camps in situ, depicting civilian and soldier life with crafts, cooking, period costume, weaponry, dancing, battles and music displays throughout the weekend.
Please note: Battle of Mortimer's Cross event will run from 10am to 5pm. Castle and shop open at 11am. Last entry into castle is 4.30pm.
Price: Free opening on 10 September, normal admission applies on other days
Find more things to do in Herefordshire
2. Gibside, Tyne & Wear
Heritage Open Days, 10 & 11 September, 10am – 4pm
Visit Gibside for the rare opportunity to take a sneaky peak inside the Chapel Crypt. Explore the meandering trails which weave their way through woodland and gardens, and keep an eye out for roe deer and red kites as you wander. Take a look around the restored stables, and top it all off with a beer from Gibside’s very own National Trust-managed pub.
Price: Free opening on 10 & 11 September, normal admission applies on other days
Find more things to do in Newcastle
3. Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
Heritage Open Day, 20 September 2019, 11am – 5pm
Take a closer look at the life of Duchess Evelyn, the "Last Lady of Hardwick".
Her newly restored bedroom completes the family rooms on the middle floor. You can discover more about the life of a duchess, her pioneering conservation work and the dramatic landscape in the East Court. Enjoy long countryside walks through the wider estate, check out the woodland family play trails and sample delicious seasonal treats in the restaurant.
Price: Free opening on 20 September, normal admission applies on other days
Find more things to do in Derbyshire
4. Houghton Mill, Cambridgeshire
Heritage Open Day 2016: A Victorian Mill, 10 September, 11am – 4.30pm
Visit Houghton Mill
and follow the amazing survival story of a mill that was almost demolished, then saved by the local villagers and restored to working order. Meet some of the characters who would have worked at this 18th-century working watermill in Victorian times and see the mill running in the afternoon, using water power to produce stone-ground flour.
Price: Free opening on 10 September, normal admission applies on other days
Find more things to do in Cambridgeshire
5. Peckover House and Garden, Cambridgeshire
Heritage Open Day, 10 September, 11am – 4pm
Visit this secret gem of a house tucked away in an urban environment. Take time to explore the house and understand how the Peckovers, a family of Quakers, would have lived. For those interested in dolls houses, head down to the Reed Barn tea room to meet local craft business Anglia Dolls Houses who will be on hand to talk about the Georgian architectural model of Peckover they are producing.
Price: Free opening on 10 September, normal admission applies on other days
Find more things to do in Cambridgeshire
6. Steam Yacht Gondola, Lake District
Heritage Open Day: Gondola ‘Behind the Scenes’, 10 September, 5pm – 6.30pm
Hop on board this rebuilt steam-powered yacht to learn more about luxury travel of the Victorian ages. Have a cosy chat with the crew and quiz the boat’s engineer on its workings. With seldom seen archive material on display for one day only, it’s the perfect chance to delve into the history of this unique boat.
Price: Free opening on 10 September, normal admission applies on other days
Find more things to do in the Lake District
7. Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire
Heritage Open Day, 10 September, 11am – 4.30pm
Much of the house you see today was built by Henry Ferrers, a lawyer, diarist and antiquarian, in the late 1500s. The house was a sanctuary not only for the Ferrers family, but also for the persecuted Catholics who were hidden from priest hunters in its secret hiding places during the 1590s. Start your visit with an introductory talk at the front of the house to find out more about the fascinating and unexpected stories.
Price: Free opening on 10 September, normal admission applies on other days
Find out more about Warwickshire
8. Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
Heritage Open Day, 10 September, 10am – 5pm
This World Heritage Site was established by devout monks seeking a simpler existence some 800 years ago. Take time to explore acres of lush green parkland along the banks of the River Skell and enjoy the mirror-like ponds, statues and follies at Studley Royal and look out for an archaeological dig taking place between the abbey and the water garden to find the remains of Rustic Cottage.
Price: Free opening on 10 September, normal admission applies on other days
Find more to do in North Yorkshire
9. Overbeck’s, Devon
Heritage Open Day, 10 September, 11am – 5pm
Explore the seaside home of inventor and scientist Otto Overbeck on Heritage Open Days weekend. Admire the tropical garden overlooking the Salcombe Estuary; with palm trees, banana plants, citrus and olive trees, you could easily forget that you’re in Devon. The house is full of surprises too. With cabinets of butterflies and bugs and with collections of dolls, toys and model boats – it’s a treasure trove just waiting to be discovered.
Price: Free opening on 10 September, normal admission applies on other days
10. Petworth House and Park, West Sussex
Heritage Open Day, 10 September, 11am - 4pm
Complete with serpentine ponds and rolling pastures, Petworth’s classical ‘Capability’ Brown landscape is worth a visit on Heritage Open Days weekend. Marvel at some of the oldest and largest trees in the country on the ancient tree walk and keep an eye out for the magnificent herd of roaming fallow deer as you stroll. The 17th-century house is a treasure-trove of art, and inspired the great landscape painter J. M. W Turner during his lengthy stays at Petworth. Wander through the opulent state rooms and North Gallery to admire world-famous paintings by Van Dyck, Reynolds, Blake and Turner.
Price: Free opening on 10 September, normal admission applies on other days