Heritage Open Days
September is coming and Heritage Open Days are back! From 12th to 21st 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 23 venues and events within the Harrogate area offering free entry over the 10-day festival. An eclectic 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.
There are new guided walks and some so popular that they have returned for the 2025 festival. A Heritage Walk on the Duchy Estate, New Park Heritage Walk, Valley Gardens Walk, Ripley Village Historic Walkabout, and Pannal Heritage Walk - all bookable via the HODs website.
Exhibitions hosted at Old Magnesia Well Pump Room and New Park Heritage Centre show how buildings and communities have evolved within the town. West Park Centre is hosting an exhibition about Claude Verity, the Harrogate resident who brought the world ‘Talking Pictures’ six years before the release of The Jazz Singer. Join one of the behind-the-scenes tours of the magnificent Harrogate Odeon and visit their display illustrating the different stages of the 89 year history of this much loved Harrogate landmark.
Pull on your wellies, switch on your torch and take an adventure exploring the caves and tunnels of How Stean Gorge. You may have a glimpse of the wildlife - trout in the stream, bats roosting in the caves, or maybe even otters and deer.
Bilton Historical Society are presenting ‘Second World War Bilton’ to commemorate the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ day. The exhibition details the impact of the War upon the lives of the people of Bilton.
Join staff from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for a tour of the war graves at Stonefall Cemetery and learn about the men and women from across the world who fought and died in the two World Wars, never to return home.
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 2025. Buildings that are normally not open to the public will also be bearing the pink Heritage Open Days banners. The Harrogate Club is opening its doors for us all to enjoy its Victorian splendour, view the original plans, and join a guided tour exploring its historic significance in the area. Harrogate Theatre is offering free guided tours of one of Harrogate’s cultural gems. At Pateley Bridge Playhouse, learn more about the history of both the building and the Society with ‘turn up’ back-stage tours. Also in Pateley Bridge Nidderdale Museum, showcasing Dales life, is waiving the entry fee.
Just a short journey away from the centre of Harrogate there are three further beautiful churches. Visit 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. On Skipton Road St Joseph’s Church is celebrating its 100th birthday. Learn about the history of the church and view the recently restored Arts and Crafts stained-glass windows. Just a few miles north is St Wilfrid’s Church, South Stainley, where amongst the stunning windows, carvings and ‘Mouseman’ altar they will be hosting an exhibition on the architectural features of the church and the history of the village plus a 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. Heritage Open Days is presented by the National Trust with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Every Heritage Open Days event is free, including access to many sites that usually charge for admission. For details and opening times of events across England, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk For latest updates on events in Harrogate, visit www.harrogatecivicsociety.org/events