Heritage Open Days are taking place from 13th to the 22nd of September 2019. Different venues are opening different days so be sure to double check the dates as you plan your visits.
Who doesn’t need some FREE days out ideas after the Summer holidays?!
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture. 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.
See the Mumbler top picks below:
Treasurer’s House
National Trust, Treasurers House, Minster Yard, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7JL
Treasurer’s House was the first house to be donated with it’s full collection to the Trust in 1930. Wander through a house of contradictions and marvel at the award winning garden with breathtaking views. Free Ghost cellar and Attic tours available.
Opening Times
Saturday 14 September: 1100-1630 (Last entry 1600)
Sunday 15 September: 1100-1630 (Last entry 1600)
Saturday 21 September: 1100-1630 (Last entry 1600)
Sunday 22 September: 1100-1630 (Last entry 1600)
Booking Details
No booking required
Goddards House and Garden
National Trust, Goddards, 27 Tadcaster Road, Dringhouses, York, North Yorkshire, YO24 1GG
A warm Arts and Crafts house full of memories, Goddards is the former home of the Terry family, where you can sit down in the drawing room with a sherry, play tennis on the court in the garden or make a chocolate box in the factory room.
Opening Times
Friday 13 September: 1030-1700
Friday 20 September: 1030-1700
Booking Details
No booking required
Beningbrough Hall, Gallery & Gardens
Beningbrough, York, North Yorkshire, Y030 1DD
Explore the evolving gardens and watch the harvest grow. Take a seat under the new Pergola, designed by Andy Sturgeon. Head into the hall to see this year’s exhibition: Yorkshire! Achievement, Grit and Controversy. For families, tick off activities on the must do play list – 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4: build a den or let off steam in the wilderness play area. The top floor of the hall has interactive hands-on galleries, perfect for big and little kids.
“There’s an adventure playground, walled gardens, coffee shop as well as the house”
Mumbler KP
Opening Times
Friday 20 September: 1030-1700
Saturday 21 September: 1030-1700
Booking Details
No booking required
Howsham Mill
Howsham Mill, Howsham Hall Road, Howsham, York, North Yorkshire, YO60 7PA
Come and meet some of the pioneers of the Howsham Mill restoration project. Discover just what ‘people power’ has achieved in restoring this 18th century water mill back to its former glory.
The building has been meticulously restored using traditional materials and methods. The new use for the water mill is generating hydro-electricity by two Archimedes Screw turbines and a restored water wheel. Together they can generate enough electricity for up to 120 average houses.
Opening Times
Sunday 15 September: 10.30am to 5pm
Booking Details
No booking required
Kilnwick Percy Hall: Buddhist Meditation Centre
Madhyamaka K M C, Kilnwick Percy Hall, Kilnwick Percy, York, North Yorkshire, YO42 1UF
Grade 2* listed Georgian mansion now home to Madhyamaka Kadampa Meditation Centre, a centre of meditation & modern Buddhism, set within nearly 50 acres of beautiful gardens and woodlands, with cafe and gift shop.
Explore historic Kilnwick Percy Hall and try a free taster meditation as well as visit the World Peace Cafe or enjoy a picnic in the grounds. Go for a walk around the woodlands and large lake, or relax in the peaceful meditation room (formerly the grand ballroom). Enjoy a free house tour to learn the history of this historic site.
Everybody is welcome.
“Kilnwick Percy Buddhist centre has lovely walks and gardens and the World Peace Cafe (you don’t need to be a Buddhist and everyone is welcome)”
Mumbler CA
Opening Times
Saturday 14 September: 10.30am – 4.30pm
Sunday 15 September: 10.30am – 4.30pm
Booking Details
No booking required
Knaresborough Castle and Museum
Castle Yard, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 8AS
Enjoy free entry to the Castle’s majestic 14th century Keep and the Courthouse Museum.
Step back in time to discover medieval Knaresborough at the remains of this royal castle. In the King’s Tower imagine the splendour of the King’s Chamber, see the medieval toilet and venture down to the dark dungeon and through the secret underground tunnel. In the museum see the original Tudor Courthouse, discover the newly updated displays about Knaresborough’s past and life in the English Civil War and get hands on in our Life in a Castle gallery where there are clothes to try on and games to play. Staff on hand to provide information and assistance.
Opening Times
Sunday 15 September: 11.30 – 16.00
Booking Details
No booking required
Nunnington Hall
National Trust, Nunnington Hall, Nunnington, York, North Yorkshire, YO62 5UY
Picturesque Yorkshire manor house with organic garden and exciting exhibitions. Enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful Yorkshire manor house, nestled on the quiet banks of the River Rye.
“Nunnington Hall is lovely. The gardens are perfect for little ones and they have peacocks too.”
Mumbler NN
Opening Times
Friday 20 September: 1000-1700
Saturday 21 September: 1000-1700
Booking Details
No booking required
Rievaulx Terrace
National Trust, Rievaulx Terrace & Temples, Mossy Bank Wood, Rievaulx, York, North Yorkshire, YO62 5LJ
One of Yorkshire’s finest 18th-century landscape gardens, containing two temples. Discover one of Ryedale’s true gems – the 18th-century landscape of Rievaulx Terrace. Stroll through woods, then out on to the terrace, with its stunning views down over the Cistercian ruin of Rievaulx Abbey.
Rievaulx Terrace’s close proximity to Nunnington Hall makes it an ideal double visit in one day.
Opening Times
Friday 20 September: 1000-1700
Saturday 21 September: 1000-1700
Booking Details
No booking required
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal (National Trust)
National Trust, Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Estate Office, Studley Park, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY
A World Heritage Site encompassing monastic ruins and a Georgian water garden, visitors will get free access to the site as well as free, pre-bookable tours of How Hill Tower. Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1986, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is a place of contrasts and surprises. Make the most of free access on Saturday 21st September to stroll among the abbey ruins, admire the 18th century Georgian water gardens and explore the deer park.
Opening Times
Saturday 21 September: 1000-1700, Tour 1100, 1300 & 1500
Booking Details
Pre-booking: Required
Estate is free to explore but How Hill tour must be pre-booked.
Call: 03442491895
Go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heritage-open-day-how-hill-tower-tours-tickets-65923265261
St Lawrence Churchyard York
St Lawrence Church, York, North Yorkshire, YO10 3BW
St Lawrence Church York will be open to visitors and in the Churchyard Old St Lawrence Tower will be open to see inside – guided tours of the Churchyard will be available and inside the Church a display on the planned St Lawrence Churchyard project.
Volunteers will be offering short ten-minute guided tours of the Churchyard at 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:30, 13:00 and 13:30. Please meet at the Tower at these times if you would like to join a tour.
Opening Times
Saturday 14 September: Open 10:00 – 14:00. Also ten minute tours at 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:30, 13:00 and 13:30.
Booking Details
No booking required.
So that’s the Mumbler highlight’s, but you can search the WEBSITE for all the events happening near you.
Enjoy Exploring!!
