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Heritage Open Days 2026

Heritage Open Days celebrate our fantastic history and culture. Heritage Open Days take place 11 to 20 September 2026.

Event Date

11 September 2026

This event occurs daily from
11 Sept 2026 to 20 Sept 2026

Description

Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.

Appleby

19th and 20th September - Moot Hall Council Chamber
Discover Moot Hall Council Chamber this Heritage Open Days. Built in the market place in 1596, it served as a civic centre to house Appleby Corporation (now the Town Council), with additional space for rent. There have been many alterations to the structure, but - almost uniquely among only several such buildings in England - the council chamber is still used for its original purpose, and holds Council Meetings twice a month.

11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th September - Everyday History of Red Gold
Whose Hands Made Red Gold? From an orphaned earl's privateer cargoes to Lady Anne's rebuilding, Appleby's colour history is an everyday story. Join us to make Carmine Lake from cochineal - a pigment lineage five centuries in the making.

19th and 20th September - Masonic Hall
Bank House was built about 250 years ago and extends to the River Eden at the rear. The Vale of Eden Masonic Lodge leased the property in 1911. It became known as the Masonic Hall and was purchased by the Vale of Eden Lodge in 1962. In 1991 the interior was extensively modernized to meet current building regulations and a new Masonic Temple was dedicated. The World Head Office of the Fell Pony Society occupies a ground floor room. Two Masonic Lodges and a Chapter meet regularly from August to May and have several social events during the year. All three floors of the Hall will be open, including the 'ritual' room, which is not usually open to the public. Members of the Lodges will be on the premises to show you round.

19th and 20th September - St Anne's Almshouses
St. Anne’s Hospital was founded by Lady Anne Clifford in 1653 and for more than 350 years, ageing, widowed, or single ladies have lived there rent free. The building is Grade II* listed on the National Heritage List for England. All thirteen Almshouses were recently refurbished in a major project to modernise the fabric of the buildings. Each house is lived in by a single lady, as set out in the original Trust Deeds and are built around a quiet, cobbled courtyard. It has been described as 'one of the most peaceful and perfectly preserved places in the Eden Valley.' If you see any of the residents, just say hello! They are often happy to tell you more about the building’s history. You can ask to see inside the chapel, and a small donation for its upkeep is always appreciated.

18th, 19th and 20th September - Castle Fine Arts: The Colour Makers House
The Colour Makers House (rebuilt in 1677) is home to a traditional artist's colour shop, and alchemy workshops show how paint and pigments are traditionally made. The Colour Maker's House will be open both Saturday and Sunday for browsing, with historic paint making demonstrations on both days. Demonstrations will be held daily at 1100 and 1300. There will also be an exhibition open between 1000 and 1600 called 'Elizabethan Reds and the Cliffords of Appleby'.

19th and 20th September - Drybeck Hall
Drybeck Hall dates from 1679. It is Grade II listed and a typical Cumbrian cross passage house with attached bank barn. This former 17th century farmhouse was acquired by the Tufton family, who inherited Lady Anne Clifford's estates. Relatively little has changed and it now serves as a family home.

18th, 19th and 20th September - St Lawrence's Church
St Lawrence’s Church was built in the late 11th Century in sight of the Castle at the opposite end of Boroughgate, the main street of the new Norman town of Appleby. Lady Anne Clifford's tomb is in the north-east corner of the church. The Athelstan Tapestry panels will be displayed and stitched in St Lawrence's Church 9.30am - 4pm on Saturday 19th. At 11:45 a.m., there will be a presentation by Ursula Hurst the artist from Hilton, who illustrated the panels, and Phillipa Turnbull, the historic embroidery specialist, who will be creating the embroideries with over 100 local volunteers in her Appleby studio.

Also in St Lawrence's Church, there will be a new permanent display case featuring Lady Anne Clifford in costume, showing a young Lady Anne in replica court dress from an early 17th century portrait belonging to her descendant.

19th and 20th September - Appleby Heritage QR Code Trail
Enjoy a history themed trail throughout our town in Appleby! Look out for a QR Code poster on any of our heritage assets to see historic pictures and listen to a short audio clip which will tell you more about our history. Simply pick up a map and get looking for those codes!

19th and 20th September - Castle Bank House
Usually a private home, this Grade II listed building, Castle Bank will be open for visitors. The garden, stables and art display make the house well worth a visit.

18th September - Crewel Work Company - The Athelstan Project
At The Crewel Work Company, we are incredibly excited to be involved in a truly special project that brings together British history, research and the art of embroidery. Over the next three years, we will be working on the Eamont Tapestry, a remarkable embroidered artwork comprising a series of panels that tell the story of the life and reign of King Æthelstan, widely regarded as the first King of the English. The shop on the Sands will be open throughout the festival, with opportunities to speak to the ladies working on the embroidery. The tapestry will be displayed in St Lawrence’s Church on Saturday 19th.

11th September - ClayLife Pottery - It's no life with clay life!
Visit ClayLife Pottery within the historic old post office that's been converted into a working community pottery; where you can ask questions about pottery from artisan crafters and observe real time pottery activities. Have a go yourself?!

19th September - Local Historical Societies Exhibition and Talks
Appleby Archaeology will have display boards and some of their local finds and the Cumbria Vernacular Buildings Group will have some interesting information about our local buildings. Black and white boards will also be on display throughout the room, with photographs from the Appleby-in-Westmorland Society’s archives.

Penrith

12th, 16th, 19th September - Brougham Hall Guided Tours
Tours will take place on Saturday 12th, Wednesday 16th and Saturday 19th September at 1400. This will be a walking tour of the site it is relatively flat but not wheelchair friendly I am afraid. Tours are free as is entry to the site. Cafe will be open and galleries and workshops will be available to view. We are a newly formed Community interest Company set up to run the hall and preserve it for future generations as well as creating spaces for small arts and crafts businesses. Brougham Hall is an important historical site but is also invested in the future of culture in Cumbria.

12th, 14th to 19th September - St Andrew's Church
This lovely Church is open from 9am to 5pm and can be found in the centre of the town.

Join us on Saturday 12th for panoramic Penrith, with a tower tour by the Bell ringers. You will learn about the workings of the bells and even have the option to try and ring one yourself! There will also be a Stained Glass presentation taking place from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

For the rest of the festival, Monday 14th September to Saturday 19th September, why not pop in for a tour of the church? Discover the history of the building and the various banners which hang from the gallery. Outside explore our church yard, which encompasses some ancient monuments. On Thursday the 17th, there will also be tours of the organ loft available 10am to 12.30pm.

19th and 20th September - Acorn Bank Watermill
Come down and see the 19th Century Watermill in action, and hear the stories of the people who lived and worked on the estate, including both the watermill and the gypsum mine. We will be selling our wholemeal flour fresh from the mill, and we will have samples of baked produce for you to try, showing the range of produce you can make from this versatile foodstuff.

19th and 20th September - Medieval Re-enactment Brougham Hall
The Red Wyvern Society is at Brougham Hall on the 19th and 20th September 2026. We will be taking over the lawn and bring history to life. Come see our encampment between 1100-1600 and learn more about what life was like in the 15th Century.

12th and 19th September - Low Borrowbridge Roman Fort and farm
A walk around the historic farmyard looking at the development of the site. Visit Low Borrowbridge Roman fort which is not normally open to the public.

Kirkby Stephen

12th September - Kirkby Stephen Old Ale Trail
A step back in time with everyday history in the town's 18th to 21st century pubs, inns and breweries. This walk is organised by Kirkby Stephen and District Walkers are Welcome, their Upper Eden Discovery Walks number 3, with additional history of the lives of the people from the 18th to 21st century in pubs, inns and breweries. A 1.5 hours walk around Kirkby Stephen Conservation Area.

17th September - Kirkby Stephen Viaducts Walk
Past, present and future walk along the disused Stainmore railway. One of the most popular walks in Kirkby Stephen is the Viaducts Walk along the disused Stainmore Railway from Stenkrith Park to Hartley. We will do a circular walk from Kirkby Stephen taking in this old railway with past history of the line and information on future plans.

12th and 13th September - Our Childhood Memories
A display of the toys, books and photographs that tell the everyday histories of our childhoods, from all over the UK. Two little teddy bears made from Dad's old socks were the starting point for this display. What were the stories behind these well-loved bears, created in the days of 'make do and mend'? Come and find out over the weekend 12 and 13 September 2026. There are more teddies, dolls, story books and annuals, toy trucks, train sets and even some Blue Peter badges, each one with its own story.