Tag: Heritage Open Days

Record Number of Industrial Heritage Sites Open for Heritage Open Days

Record Number of Industrial Heritage Sites Open for Heritage Open Days

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A record number of industrial heritage sites are opening for free as part of the 2026 Heritage Open Days running between the 11 and 20 September. Amongst the more than 250 industrial archaeology and heritage sites opening to the public are three newly renovated museums run by the National Trust in the Ironbridge Gorge (Broseley Clay Pipe Works, Jackfield China Works, The Old Furnace). The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings is also opening for free its Kibworth Harcourt Windmill, whilst English Heritage is making available Sibsey Trader Mill, and the Iron Bridge at Ironbridge.

This year’s Heritage Open Days theme highlights the extraordinary in our ordinary working lives, with more industrial sites open than ever, along with hundreds of exhibitions, walks, and talks on industrial subjects. Those sites open include more than 70 water and wind mills, more than 50 metal working and textile mill sites, and over 30 ceramic, chemical and mines sites.

There are also nearly 100 transport heritage sites open for free to visit (from canals, and railways to tramways), and nearly forty pumping stations and maritime sites.

To find an event, and an industrial site, near you, follow this link: HeritageOpenDays2026

The newly refurbished Old Furnace and its museum building at Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, which has been re-opened by the Natioanl Trust for Heritage Open Days. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell.
National Trust to Re-open Two More Ironbridge Gorge Museums for September 2026 Heritage Open Days

National Trust to Re-open Two More Ironbridge Gorge Museums for September 2026 Heritage Open Days

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The National Trust will be re-opening two more Ironbridge Gorge museums in September, as part of the Heritage Open Days events. The Broseley Pipe Works and the Coalport China Museum will be free to explore everyday working lives in partnership with Findmypast as part of the Industrious Women theme. The female work force played an integral part in the ceramic industries, and this event will allow you to not only explore the lives of ordinary working women but also access the Findmypast website to begin to explore your own family history.

Broseley Pipe Works will be open on 11-13 September and 18-20 September for pre-booked guided tours. Guided tours will run on the hour from 11 – 3pm. NT Ironbridge Gorge will also have a copy of a wages ledger from the early 20th century on display along with other archive material.  Pre-booking is essential as car parking spaces are limited.

The Coalport China Museum will open 11-13 September and 18-20 of September for pre-booked visits from 10am to 4pm and there will be curator talks and demonstrations, as well as the opportunity to see archive material. Pre-booking is essential as car parking spaces are limited.

To book follow these links:

Industrious Women (Broseley Pipe Works)

Industrious Women (Coalport)

Coalport China Works by the canal. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell.
Clay pipe making demonstration at the Broseley Pipe Works. Image courtesy of National Trust Ironbridge Gorge.
Brixton Windmill, Clifton Suspension Bridge, & Cragside Farm Industrial Sites Listed for ‘FindMyPast’s Heritage Open Days Everday Histories’ 2026

Brixton Windmill, Clifton Suspension Bridge, & Cragside Farm Industrial Sites Listed for ‘FindMyPast’s Heritage Open Days Everday Histories’ 2026

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Three industrial sites are amongst the 24 finalists that can be voted for as part of Findmypast’s Heritage Open Days ‘Everday Histories’. Created by a partnership between Heritage Open Days and UK family history website, Findmypast, the ‘Everyday History Heroes!‘ award celebrates the historic and cultural sites that champion the stories of ordinary people – from nurses and miners to teachers, soldiers and changemakers. The award centres on the grassroots histories that often go untold: the ​individuals and ​communities who powered industries, stood up for their beliefs, and built modern Britain.

A total of 24 sites and teams have been shortlisted across England, and three of these are industrial sites.

Brixton Windmill is one of London’s last surviving working windmills and a rare reminder of the capital’s agricultural past. The listed building was once surrounded by fields, and supplied flour to generations of local residents before being rescued by the community from decline.

Clifton Suspension Bridge, in Bristol, is a listed engineering icon, with a story of ordinary people – the bakers, dre ssmakers, grocers and tradespeople who invested in its construction.

Cragside Farm is a Northumberland is a farmstead that preserves centuries of rural life, from agriculture and industry to family life and local innovation. The team at the listed Cragend Farm share the stories of the labourers, tenant farmers, and families who lived and worked here, proving that some of the most compelling histories can be found far from grand houses and famous names.

Votong closes today (31 August.). To vote online for either Brixton Windmill, Clifton Suspension Bridge, or Cragside Farm follow this link, chose your region, and click on the site: Vote for your Everyday History Heroes with Findmypast | Findmypast.co.uk

‘Silver End 100’: Heritage Open Day Celebrates Industrial Company Housing in Essex, 13th September

‘Silver End 100’: Heritage Open Day Celebrates Industrial Company Housing in Essex, 13th September

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During the 19th and early 20th century industrial companies provided housing and community facilities for their workforce, demonstrating both philanthropy and good business sense. Essex has a number of examples of this which will be celebrated on 13th September, as part of Heritage Open Days at Silver End village.

Silver End Heritage Society and the Essex Industrial Archaeology Group are running the celebration day with talks, walks, and displays exploring the company housing of Silver End village, built by the Crittall family who manufactured metal window frames. Details on the events and how to book the tours are below.

Heritage Open Days, 2024: Still Time to Register Your Industrial Site

Heritage Open Days, 2024: Still Time to Register Your Industrial Site

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There’s still time to register your industrial heritage site for 2024’s Heritage Open Days. Last year more than 200 industrial heritage sites took part, offering free events across England, and raising awareness about their activities and history.

Overall, there were more than 923,000 festival visits across 5,282 heritage events in England – the highest number of visitors for England’s largest festival of history and culture ever recorded. More details for the 2023 event here: https://heritageopendays.org.uk/resource/festival-review-2023.html

Heritage Open Days offers free access to organisers to a wide range of support materials and guidance including bunting and risk assessment templates. Its also a chance to connect with people across the country, with over 2,000+ organisers meeting to share ideas.

For more details about online registration by 8 August follow this link: https://bit.ly/England_Heritage_Open_Days_2024

Heritage Open Day at The Historic England Archive

Heritage Open Day at The Historic England Archive

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The Historic England Archive will be participating in the Heritage Open Days 2023 events on 9 September. This event is FREE to attend. The Heritage Open Days theme this year is ‘Creativity Unwrapped,’ and runs from 8-17 September throughout England.

Historic England will be using the day to explore creativity in their collections. To book a place follow this link: https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/archive/heritage-open-day/