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Heritage Open Days (HODs) returns this September with thousands of free events and experiences in places that are usually closed to the public.
From historic houses to factories, museums to music halls, formal gardens to graveyards, places and spaces will again open for free this autumn.
Across the country, thousands of events will happen as part of Heritage Open Days, the country’s largest festival of history and culture, since 1994.
Over the three decades since Heritage Open Days began, organisers say it has grown in scope and scale:
‘What began as a weekend dedicated to revealing buildings not normally open to the general public has grown into a ten-day festival, celebrating a myriad of different aspects of heritage and culture with the founding principles of free access and being community led’.
With more than 100,000 events and over 39 million visits across 30 years, it has grown from just 700 events in the first year to over 5,250 in 2023.
Hundreds of activities will adopt this year’s theme, Routes – Networks – Connections, bringing together the past and present in a festival that includes workshops, talks, hidden spaces, walks and activities for all the family.
Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days Marketing & Projects Manager says:
“The scale and diversity of Heritage Open Days is just incredible – every year thousands of passionate people help visitors to make doorstep discoveries and connect with history and heritage in every part of England. This year though, it will be extra special as we celebrate three decades worth of stories and all the brilliant people and places that have made it, and continue to make it, all possible!”
Highlights of the festival in Sussex include:
Petworth House & Park, September 10 & 11
The National Trust displays some of the finest art in Petworth House, a building inspired by the Baroque Palaces of Europe. Take a step back in time and explore the breathtaking architecture of the 17th Century building, nestled in the heart of The South Downs.
Arundel Museum, September 10
Experience artefacts from Roman times, crafts and castle history in the museum, set in the heart of Arundel.
Crawey: Ifield Watermill, September 11
Experience the beauty, power and tranquillity of the watermill, the second largest waterwheel in Sussex. With four floors for visitors to explore which tell the fascinating story of the watermill’s history, its use as an iron forge and later as a corn mill as well as its vital restoration work.
Self-guided Shoreham-by-Sea Gadget Trail, September 17 & 18 (Starts at the Shoreham Centre
Venues across Shoreham-by-Sea will be displaying ‘curious’ gadgets in their windows and participants can ‘Guess the Gadget’ on social media in the preceding weeks.
Haywards Heath: Nymans, September 9 & 10
One of the National Trust’s premier gardens, Nymans has views stretching across the Sussex Weald. Colourful summer borders, with rare and unusual plant collections, surround the comfortable yet elegant house, a partial ruin. Discover secrets of Nymans on exclusive tours and sneak peeks of unseen areas this Heritage Open day.
Steyning: “A Norman gem – the best in Sussex”: Our Church of St. Andrew and St. Cuthman
Explore the splendid Norman Church, learn about its history, and see its magnificent nave and Romanesque sculpture.
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Heritage Open Days are brought to you by the National Trust, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers.
For a full list of Heritage Open Days events in West Sussex, click here.
