Heritage Open Days arrives again this month, with architectural wonders, interesting buildings, and beautiful gardens all opening for free to the public over ten days.
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As part of the 30th anniversary of the event, historic houses, factories, museums and green spaces are all opening their doors to the public, offering the chance for people to discover hidden gems they may not have seen before.
Usually thought of as a chance to see buildings not usually open to the public, Heritage Open Days also features remarkable gardens to visit too. We round up of some of the most exciting to visit.
Free gardens to visit as part of Heritage Open Days
Living Potential Walled Garden
Visit a garden that hasn’t been open to the public for over 175 years. Discover how Living Potential are restoring this 1850s Walled Garden and bringing it back to its former glory. Bring a picnic and find out about the site's history and restoration plans – also, bring a punnet and take some apples and soft fruit home with you!
Living Potential Walled Garden, Sicklinghall, Wetherby, North Yorkshire, LS22 4BN
Saturday 14 September: 12-4pm
Pre-booking not required
The Plantation Garden
Discover a Victorian garden with features including a Gothic fountain, Italianate terrace and formal planting. Stroll through the gardens, enjoy woodland walks, and discover the story of the garden’s restoration.
The Plantation Garden, 4 Earlham Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 3DB
Sunday 08 September: 9am-6pm
Pre- booking not required
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens
Discover adventure and magic at this award-winning site, perfect for a jam-packed day of family adventure. With over 200 years of history in 240-acres of beautiful nature and wildlife - enjoy magical miniatures, a play park and even wild wallabies!
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6PPFriday 06 September: 9am – 5pm
Pre-booking required
Kelmarsh Hall
Explore the historic gardens, woodland and lakeside of Kelmarsh Hall. Go on a short tour of the gardens and see the history of the gardens with an exhibition in the Orangery displaying plans and materials found by the Hall’s research and archive team.
Kelmarsh Hall, Main Road, Kelmarsh, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN6 9LY
Thursday 12 September: 11am - 3pm
Pre-booking not require
Hutton-in-the-Forest Gardens
Explore beautiful gardens and topiary terraces along with a lake and woodland walk at this stunning site. Wander through the Walled Garden built in the 1730s and discover a large collection of herbaceous plants, heritage roses and fruit trees.
Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 9TH
Sunday 15 September: 10am - 5pm
Pre-booking not required
Exploring Ely Cathedral Physick Garden
Discover how the medieval monks of Ely used plants and herbs for healing with a talk exploring Ely Cathedral’s Physick Garden. Learn why the garden would have been an integral part of the monks lives and how the herbs and plants grown in the replica garden would have been used to help and heal during the medieval period, discovering the theories and beliefs behind them.
The College, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4DL
Saturday 14 September: 12pm-3pm
Pre-booking not required
William Champion's Garden & Grotto
Explore the remarkable, rare surviving 18th century garden of brassworker William Champion. See the wonders of the garden including a giant statue of Neptune and hidden grotto with a central pool surrounded by 6 grotesque faces with gaping jaws opening into subterranean tunnels.
Kingswood Heritage Museum, Tower Lane, Warmley, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS30 8XT
Saturday 14 September:11am-4:30pm
Sunday 15 September: 11am-4:30pm
Pre-booking not required
Old Durham Gardens
Visit restored 17th to early 18th century formal gardens, see the listed features of the gardens as well as the orchard filled with fruit and roses. Meet the Friends of Old Durham Gardens to learn more about the gardens and the ongoing planting taking place there.
Old Durham, Benthouse Lane, South of Sherburn Road (A181), Durham, County Durham, DH1 2RY
Sunday 08 September: 2-4pm
Pre-booking not required
Alverstoke's Regency Garden
Discover a historic Regency garden that fell into abandonment, and its subsequent restoration to its former glory. Be guided through the garden and hear about the history and planting of the gardens - all plants there had been introduced into Britain before 1850! On Wednesday 11th, meet with the volunteer gardeners on their Coffee Break for a deeper insight into the skills and planting.
Crescent Garden, Crescent Road, Alverstoke, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2BB
Saturday 07 September: Tours at 11am & 2pm
Wednesday 11 September: 11am
Saturday 14 September: Tours at 11am & 2pm
Pre-booking preferred
Trengwainton Garden
Enjoy free entry to Trengwainton Garden, explore winding wooded paths and plants from across the globe and take in the sea views. Experience the garden with your senses with touch, audio and visual prompts to help you discover the connections between people and these plants.
Trengwainton Garden, Madron, Penzance, Cornwall, TR20 8RZ
Sunday 08 September: 10am to 5pm
Monday 09 September: 10am to 5pm
Tuesday 10 September: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday 11 September: 10am to 5pm
Thursday 12 September: 10am to 5pm
Sunday 15 September: 10am to 5pm
Pre-booking not required
Heritage Open Days runs from 6 - 15 September 2024