Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary: Heritage Open Days returns
Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary: Heritage Open Days celebrates England's Everyday Histories
The country’s largest festival of history and culture runs 11-20 September 2026
www.heritageopendays.org.uk
Heritage Open Days returns this September with thousands of free events and experiences taking place across England. Each year, millions of people take part in a nationwide celebration of their heritage, community and history. The festival is brought to you by the National Trust and supported by Postcode Lottery players, with an exciting programme of events delivered locally by thousands of organisations and volunteers.
It’s all about doorstep discovery – whether you’re stepping into a cold war bunker or a crematorium, a museum or a mandir, a lido or a lighthouse, a canal boat or a colliery, a signal box or a submarine. The festival offers thousands of free, community-led events all over England, with endless opportunity for discovering something new.
From working lives to cherished rituals, many events will focus in on this year’s festival theme, ‘Everyday Histories’ presented by leading family history website Findmypast.
Organisers are invited to explore the varied and often overlooked stories of ordinary working people and their daily lives. From factory floors, workhouses and high streets to kitchens, schools, and community centres, this theme shines a light on working-class voices, local superheroes and the part-of-the-furniture places that have quietly shaped England’s heritage.
Thanks to Findmypast’s support, organisers can delve deeper than ever into these hidden histories – One hundred participating organisers will receive free access to Findmypast’s extensive archive of historical records and newspapers to help research and shape their events, while eight flagship activations will benefit from specialist research and support at locations including Killerton (National Trust), The People's History Museum and Grainger Market.
Visitors can learn about the everyday people behind the not-so-everyday places all around us, uncovering questions such as what did your ancestors do, and what was their daily life like?
Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days Marketing & Projects Manager, said, “There are so many brilliant stories that are celebrated through the festival each year, but this year I can’t wait to see all those everyday hidden-in-plain-sight stories centre stage in our programming through the ‘Everyday Histories’ theme. I’m so excited to see our community uncover new stories and delve deeper than ever before”
Beyond our theme, the 2026 festival will feature a wide range of places that normally charge for events outside of the festival, along with free sites offering something extra special and many venues that are not usually open to the public.
Founded in 1994, Heritage Open Days has been making history and culture more accessible for more than 30 years. Last year over 2,500 organisers and 44,200 volunteers ran 5,879 events across the country, attracting over one million visits. Around one-quarter of visitors had not visited a heritage site/event in the past year while 83% of festival-goers said their visit made them more proud of their local area.