The National Trust to celebrate history and culture during the 2024 Heritage Open Days Festival

Heritage Open Days Fesitval returns from 6th - 15th September 2024. Across the South West, a number of National Trust places will take part, with Heritage Open Days provifing everyone with free access to experiences and events across England at participating venues. 

Image: Chris Lacey, National Trust. 

England’s largest festival of history and culture, Heritage Open Days, is back from 6 -15 September. Presented by the National Trust, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, Heritage Open Days (HODs) gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy free access to experiences and events across England.   

The festival brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Each year places across the country, including many National Trusts sites, throw open their doors to give people the chance to explore, see hidden places and try new experiences for free. 

The theme of the festival this year is ‘Routes, Networks and Connections’ and places cared for by the National Trust are sharing stories of travel, transport and celebrating the ways that people connect. 

Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days Marketing & Projects Manager at the National Trust says: “The scale and diversity of Heritage Open Days is just incredible – every year thousands of passionate people help visitors to make doorstep discoveries and connect with history and heritage in every part of England. This year though, it will be extra special as we celebrate three decades worth of stories and all the brilliant people and places that have made it, and continue to make it, all possible!”  

Discover a day out with a difference. Here are some of the National Trust Heritage Open Day events happening in the area:  

D-Day and Antony walking talk and vintage book fair - Antony, Cornwall 
Tues 10, Wed 11, Thurs 12 September, 1pm – 2pm  

Join a walking tour and talk of some of the Second World War sites and stories at Antony and Torpoint in Cornwall. Discover how the house was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence for the WRENs stationed at nearby HMS Raleigh, as well as hear some of their stories and memories of Antony. Don’t forget to head over to the vintage book marquee to browse the selection of donated vintage books and grab a classic at a bargain price. 

Free event. Booking essential for the walking talk:  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/antony   

Avebury Manor Garden and the Alexander Keiller Museum, Wiltshire 
Fri 6 and Sat 7 September, 10am - 5pm 

As well as enjoying the beautiful Avebury Manor Garden, visitors will have a chance to see almost 100 striking pieces of art as part of the popular annual sculpture exhibition. Free entry to the Alexander Keiller Museum is included for those interested in the fascinating archaeology and history of Avebury World Heritage Site. 

Free event. Booking not required: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/avebury  

British Sign Language Tour - Buckland Abbey, Devon 
Sat 14 September, 11.30am - 1pm 

Led by one of our experienced tour guide volunteers and a BSL interpreter, the tour will cover the Abbey's monastic life through to its most famous resident, Sir Francis Drake. 

Free event. Booking essential for the walking talk:  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/buckland-abbey  

Architectural Tour of Cotehele, Cornwall 
Mon 9 and Thurs 12 September, 10am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm 

As part of Heritage Open Days, join the Cotehele volunteers for an in-depth focus on the architectural development of Cotehele House.   

Free event. Booking essential at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/cotehele  

Meet the specialist craft team at Montacute House, Somerset 
Wed 11 September 2024, 10:30am - 4pm 

The Specialist Craft team at Montacute are opening their workshop as part of the Heritage Open Days. Discover how this skilled group of artisans keep so many of the National Trust's unique historic buildings in good shape including Garden structures, doors, gates and so much more.  

Free event. Booking not required: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/montacute-house 

Behind closed doors tours at Stourhead, Wiltshire 
Daily Sat 6 – Sun 15 September at 11:00am, 12:45pm,  and 2.15pm  

Visit areas of Stourhead House usually closed to visitors including the attic and basement storerooms, the formal showrooms are not usually included. The tour involves climbing up and down many staircases – please contact the property directly if you have any access concerns. 

Free event. Booking essential at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/stourhead   

Studland Bay in WW2, Dorset 
Sun 15 September, 10:30am - 3:30pm 

Discover how Studland Bay was used for military exercises during the Second World War and learn about ‘Exercise Smash’ – a full-scale dress rehearsal for the Allied invasion of Europe and its crucial role in the success of the D-day landings. There will be exhibits and children's activities at Fort Henry: follow a trail with a quiz sheet, taking in other WW2 remnants between Knoll and South Beach. 

Free event. Booking not required: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/studland-bay  

Lizard Wireless Station Open Day, Lizard, Cornwall 
Sun 8 September 11am - 3pm 

Celebrate Marconi and the dawn of wireless communication at The Lizard Wireless Station. We're offering free tours, special radio demonstrations, family activities and refreshments. 

Free event. Booking not required: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/lizard-point   

Sensory exploration of Trengwainton Garden, Cornwall 
Sun 8 – Sun 15 September (closed Fri & Sat) 10am – 5pm 

Immerse yourself in Trengwainton’s exotic garden through touch, audio, and visual prompts. Unleash your creativity with art easels or listen to the Head Gardener’s autumn insights at two audio stations. Experience ‘forest bathing’ or relax in the Quiet Space on the Terrace with a sea view. 

Free event. Booking not required: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/trengwainton-garden  

More National Trust places opening their doors for free during Heritage Open Days in the southwest include: 

Cornwall 
Antony, Tuesday 10 - Thursday 12 September 
Cotehele, Saturday 7 to Friday 13 September 
Michell’s Engine House, East Pool Mine, Fri 6 – Sun 15 September 
Levant Mine and Beam Engine, Sunday 8 – Sun 15 September (closed Fri & Sat) 
Godolphin, Fri 6 – Sun 15 September 
Trerice, Saturday 14 September  

Devon 
Arlington Court and Carriage Museum, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September 
Buckland Abbey, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September 
Killerton, Friday 6 September and Saturday 7 September 
Clyston Mill, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, 6-15 September 
Columbjohn Chapel, open daily, 6-15 September 
Knightshayes, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September 
Lydford Gorge, Friday 13 and Saturday 14 September  

Dorset 
Hardy Monument, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September 
Hardy’s House, Max Gate, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September 
Portland House, Friday 13, Saturday 14, Sunday 15 September 
Kingston Lacy, Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 September 
White Mill, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September  

Gloucestershire 
Hidcote, Friday 6 and Saturday 7 September 
Newark Park, 14 September 
Dyrham Park, Saturday 7 September 

Somerset, Bath and Bristol 
Barrington Court, Wednesday 11 – Friday 13 September  
Lytes Cary Manor, Monday 9 – Friday 13 September 
Montacute House, Monday 9 – Friday 13 September 
Prior Park Landscape Garden, Saturday 7 and Saturday 14 September 
Tintinhull Garden, Friday 6 – Sunday 15 September  

Wiltshire 
Avebury Manor Garden, Friday 6 and Saturday 7 September 
Mompesson House, Sunday 8 – Tuesday 10 September