Heritage Open Days attracted 1.3 million visits in September 2025, with micro-grants and partnerships enabling organisers to expand programming.
Heritage Open Days 2025 attracted 1.3 million visits across 5,879 free events delivered throughout September. The festival saw 2,549 organisers and 104 local coordinators participate, with micro-grants and partnerships enabling the expansion in programming and diversity of offerings.
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, running for ten days every September to offer free access to heritage events and activities across the country. The festival is brought to the public by the National Trust with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, and delivered locally by civic societies, heritage organisations, local councils, community champions and thousands of volunteers.
Events ranged from conservation workshops at a local primary school to an LGBTQ+ audio trail and discussions of architectural myths held in a pub cellar. The festival’s growth in scale and reach led to Heritage Open Days receiving the Sector Impact Award at the Museums + Heritage Awards 2025.
Bernard Donoghue OBE, Director of ALVA and a Museums + Heritage Award judge, said of the win: “When it was first created it was a great, inspiring and generous idea and it has only grown in size, importance and impact over the years. When something so loved and so well-established becomes part of the heritage landscape it sometimes is in danger of being taken for granted. This award shows that we don’t take it for granted but celebrate it, encourage it and thank all those who make it so special.”
Heritage Open Days is England’s contribution to European Heritage Days, which takes place across 50 countries. Other events in the UK include Doors Open Days in Scotland, Open Doors Days in Wales, and European Heritage Open Days in Northern Ireland. The 2026 festival will take place from 11 to 20 September.
The Museums + Heritage Awards 2026 is now open for entries. Submit your entry before 30 November 2025 to save £40.
