Heritage Open Days

About

Every year in September, places across the country throw open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it's all FREE. This year Heritage Open Days returns with a 10-day festival taking place from Friday 8th to Sunday 17th September. You can have free access to events and properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission or choose one of the many events that place especially for the festival. 

Here in Stoke-on-Trent, there will be the the usual chance to discover fantastic architecture and enjoy a wide range of events and activities that bring local history and culture to life. This year the national theme is ‘Creativity Unwrapped’, providing another opportunity to highlight the incredible artistic talent and architecture of The Potteries! The city’s brilliant museums, attractions and heritage groups have risen to the challenge and will be highlighting the achievements of the city’s own creatives, including Wedgwood and Moorcroft, as well as the lesser known William Baker and Hugh Henshall. As ever, we will also be focussing on our unique industrial heritage with events that feature our iconic bottle ovens.

The programme is co-ordinated nationally, by the National Trust and with support from players of the People's Postcard Lottery, and locally by The Heritage Network for Stoke-on-Trent, bringing together local hosts and heritage enthusiasts. To search the online directory of events go to www.heritageopendays.org.uk or for more information about local events go to potteries.org.uk/heritageopendays or stoke.gov.uk/heritage.