Heritage Open Days
September is coming and Heritage Open Days are back! From 11th to 20th September Harrogate will once again be part of England’s largest festival of history and culture and the unmistakable HODs pink bunting will be seen around the Harrogate area.
Supported by the Harrogate Civic Society, Heritage Open Days is a community event bringing residents and visitors together to share the glory of the area.
There will be 29 venues and events within the Harrogate area offering free entry over the 10-day festival. A wide-ranging mix of tours, talks, walks, exhibitions, music and buildings, some not normally open to the public, mostly with experts on hand. It’s a chance for all of us to see hidden places and try out new experiences - all for free.
Come and celebrate the 90th anniversary of the magnificent Harrogate Odeon, view the exhibition and join a behind-the-scenes tour of the projection rooms. Pull on your wellies, switch on your torch and take an adventure exploring How Stean Gorge, including its caves and tunnels – look out for bats, trout and other wildlife.
The festival includes several interesting talks. Join Sir Thomas Ingilby at All Saints’ Ripley to hear about his swashbuckling relative Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Barrie, who is buried at the church. Visit Harrogate Library for talks on the story of Milestones, and on the history of the Mail. West Park Centre is marking the launch of a book on Harrogate Schools and Schooldays with an exhibition and talk by the author.
Exhibitions hosted at Old Magnesia Well Pump Room and New Park Heritage Centre show how buildings and communities have evolved within the town. Bilton Historical Society is presenting an exhibition on the often-overlooked history and development of the Bilton Grange Estate. Harrogate Theatre is hosting an exhibition on “Life on Stage”. The Nidderdale Museum in Pateley Bridge, showcasing Dales life, is waiving the entry fee.
There are guided walks, some new and some popular ones returning for 2026. The Commonwealth War Graves Tour at Stonefall tells of some of those who fought and died in the wars. Find out more about our famous Valley Gardens with the Valley Gardens Walk. Explore some of the Heritage Plaques Of Harrogate. Learn the history of New Park with the New Park Heritage Walk. At Harlow Hill Cemetery Walk, see the graves of notable people such as the actor Michael Rennie. Hear the history of two fascinating villages at the Pannal Heritage Walk and Ripley Village Historic Walkabout. Washburn Heritage Centre is hosting Fewston Can’t Bury Its Dead tours of Fewston Cemetery. All of these tours are led by knowledgeable guides and bookable via the HODs website.
Explore the fine Victorian churches in Harrogate centre: Harrogate Baptist Church, Our Lady Immaculate and St Robert's Church, St Peter’s Church, Wesley Chapel. All different denominations, all opened within a period of twenty years, all within half a mile, all thriving but each with unique and distinctive features.
Hidden Harrogate has many things to offer in 2026. Buildings that are normally not open to the public will also be flying the pink Heritage Open Days banners. The Harrogate Club is opening the doors for us all to enjoy the Victorian splendour and join a guided tour exploring its historic significance in the area. Visit the Harrogate Masonic Hall to view the building, meet local Freemasons and learn about a tradition rich in history and philanthropy. At Pateley Bridge Playhouse, learn more about the history of both the building and the Society with ‘turn up’ back-stage tours.
Visit two more beautiful churches just a short journey away from the centre of Harrogate. View the grave of Blind Jack of Knaresborough at All Saints’ Spofforth with the opportunity to climb the 15th century tower and see the 200-year-old clock in the bell ringing chamber. Just a few miles north is St Wilfrid’s Church, South Stainley, where amongst the stunning windows and carvings they will be hosting a week-long flower festival.
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture; every year, thousands of volunteers and supporters organise events that allow us to discover hidden places and try out new experiences. Brought to you by the National Trust, supported by players of Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, Heritage Open Days gives everyone free access to experiences and events across England, including access to many sites that usually charge for admission. For details and opening times, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk.