England’s largest festival of history and culture is returning – where you can visit some of York’s historical locations for free.
Heritage Open Days returns this month, from Friday 9 to Sunday 18 September.
With over 20 locations in York opening their doors for the festival, this is a great opportunity to visit places that aren’t often open to the public as well as celebrating local heritage and community – and it’s all free.
For more information about Heritage Open Days and to see the full list of locations, visit their website here.
Heritage Open Days in York
All Saint’s Church, Holme on Spalding Moor
This medieval church will be open for visitors to look round. From the car park you can see magnificent views of the Vale of York (including York Minster on a clear day). Refreshments available.
- Market Weighton Road, Holme on Spalding Moor, York, North Yorkshire, YO43 4ED
- Sun 18 Sep
- 2-5pm
- No booking required
- More info
All Saint’s Church, Kirby on the Moor
Visit a Grade 1 listed historic village church. Displays of the church’s history, Saxon stone relics information on points of architectural interest available. Members of the church community will be there to greet and answer questions. Refreshments available.
- Church Lane, Kirby HIll, Boroughbridge, York, North Yorkshire, YO51 9DX
- Sat 10 Sep
- 9am – 5pm
- No booking required
- More info
All Saints North Street
A 45 minute talk about the history and heritage of the church, including the building history and archaeology.
- All Saints, North Street, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 6JD
- Wed 14 Sep
- 11:30am
- No booking required
- More info
All Saints North Street Stained Glass Windows Talk
A chance to find out all about the historic stained glass of All Saints. All Saints is an Anglican church situated in the centre of the medieval city of York in northern England. It contains one of the most important displays of medieval stained glass in the British Isles, including the famous Pricke of Conscience window.
- All Saints Church, North Street, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 6JD
- Sat 10, Wed 14, Sat 17 Sep
- 10:30am
- No booking required
- More info
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Bedern Hall – Walking Tours
Once the dining hall of the Vicars Choral of York Minster, Bedern Hall is today home to 3 of York’s ancient Guilds. Join us on a walking tour of the City to learn how Guilds and Guildhalls have shaped the City over the centuries.
- Bedern Hall, Bartle Garth, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7AL
- Thurs 15 Sep
- 11am, 1pm, 2:30pm
- Pre-booking required. Hall is free to explore but walking tour must be pre-booked
- More info
Beningbrough Hall, Gallery & Gardens
Explore the evolving gardens and watch the harvest grow in the walled garden. See late colour and take a seat under the Pergola, designed by leading Landscape Designer Andy Sturgeon.
- Beningbrough, York, North Yorkshire, Y030 1DD
- Fri 16 and Sat 17 Sep
- 10am – 5pm
- No booking required
- More info
Central Methodist Church York
Our Grade II* listed chapel on St Saviourgate in the Centre of York will be open and extending a welcome for all. Come and discover a hidden gem in the middle of historic York.
- Central Methodist Church, St. Saviourgate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 8NQ
- Wed 14, Sat 17, Sun 18 Sep
- Various times
- No booking required
- More info
Church of the Ascension, Whixley
Enjoy the peace of a beautiful 13th century Parish Church and its architecture and hear about its history reflected in the architecture. The church will be open with volunteers there to answer any questions. There will be free refreshments in the style of afternoon tea.
- The Church of the Ascension, Church Street, Whixley, York, North Yorkshire, YO26 8AR
- Sat 10 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- More info
Church of the Holy Redeemer, York
Our Grade II listed church will be open for guided tours, self-led trails and children’s activities, relating to our rich heritage. On Wednesday a Community Café in the church hall will provide lunches and light refreshments.
- Church of the Holy Redeemer, Boroughbridge Road, York, North Yorkshire, YO26 6AB
- Sat 10, Sun 11, Wed 14, Sat 17, Sun 18 Sep
- Various times
- No booking required
- More info
Church Visit St Mary’s Church, Birdforth, Thormanby
This is an exciting opportunity to view private sketches of a previous resident of the parish and other works. Working with the family of a now deceased former resident of the parish we are hoping to exhibit some of his recently discovered works and explain the family connection to this fabulous little church.
- Church House, Birdforth, Easingwold, York, North Yorkshire, YO61 4NW
- Sat 10, Sun 11, Sat 17, Sun 18 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- More info
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Coney Street Heritage Project
Fabrication Crafts is a Social Enterprise with a shop in Coney Street in York. Their Coney Street Heritage Project has brought the street to greater knowledge and interest over the last couple of years – during Heritage Open Days there will be an exhibition, special talk, repair cafe, and more.
- Fabrication York, 19 Coney Street, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 9ND
- Fri 9 – Sun 18 Sep
- Various times
- No booking required
- More info
Coney Street Heritage Project – Walking Tour
Join me for a gentle stroll around the streets and I’ll show you the little details hiding in plain sight that often go unnoticed. The duration will depend on your interest, stamina, and daylight. Limited to 10 people per day.
- St Helen’s Church, 5 St. Helens Square, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 8QP
- Mon 12 and Thurs 15 Sep
- 5:30-7pm
- Pre-booking required
- More info
Fishergate Postern Tower
See inside this watch-tower on York’s City Walls. Rarely open to the public, our volunteers are on hand to show off the spiral staircase, Tudor toilet and timber roof. Find out about the history of the Walls and look out for any approaching invaders!
- Fishergate Postern Tower, Piccadilly, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 9AF
- Sat 10 and Sat 17 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- More info
Goddards
Take time exploring the garden ‘rooms’ of this five acre garden. Discover fragrant borders, wildlife areas, vegetable garden and glasshouse. Soak up the sunshine on the terrace or on a garden bench enjoying the view with your takeaway refreshments.
- Goddards, 27 Tadcaster Road, York, North Yorkshire, YO24 1GG
- Fri 9 and Sat 10 Sep
- 11am – 4pm
- No booking required
- More info
Heritage Open Day and Military Mixology
Collect a free leaflet, describing the history and recipes for 7 of our favourite cocktails, which will take you on a brief tour of the museum collections. On Saturday 10 September there will be free activities, trails and object handling with our lovely volunteers.
- York Army Museum, 3 Tower Street, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 9SB
- Fri 9 – Sat 17 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- Pre-booking preferred
- More info
Howsham Mill
Come and see the beautifully restored 18th century watermill now generating hydro-electricity.
- Howsham Mill, Howsham Hall Road, Howsham, York, North Yorkshire, YO60 7PA
- Sun 18 Sep
- 10:30am – 5pm
- No booking required
- More info
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Naburn Locks Heritage Tours
Join us at Naburn Locks for a guided tour around the site, including the Grade II listed locks and Blacksmith’s Forge.
- Naburn Locks, Naburn, York, North Yorkshire, YO19 4RU
- Sun 11 Sep
- 11am, 1pm, 3pm
- Pre-booking preferred. Main site is open to visit but please book for the heritage tour
- More info
Nunnington Hall
Step back in time and discover the changes made to Nunnington Hall by the last residents and since the Hall was gifted to the National Trust 70 years ago.
- Nunnington Hall, Nunnington, York, North Yorkshire, YO62 5UY
- Sat 17 and Sun 18 Sep
- 10:30am – 5pm
- No booking required
- More info
Poppleton Community Railway Nursery
Britain’s last surviving railway nursery, built in 1941, is now a volunteer-run local charity based in Poppleton, near York, set up to restore this historic site. A working plant nursery, it helps people recovering from health issues.
- Station Road, Upper Poppleton, York, North Yorkshire, YO26 6QA
- Sat 10 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- More info
Southlands Methodist Church and Artists Studios at South Bank Studios
Take a closer look inside this historic Victorian Church building, and see the stained glass window, the organ, learn about its history and look around the artists’ studios hidden on the upper floors. The artists’ studios are not normally open to the public – We are a creative community of artists, so this is a rare opportunity to visit them!
- South Bank Studios, Southlands Methodist Church, 97 Bishopthorpe Road, York, North Yorkshire, YO23 1NX
- Sat 17 and Sun 18 Sep
- 10am – 4pm (Sat), 12-4pm (Sun)
- No booking required
- More info
St Columba’s York URC
An ideal opportunity to see the magnificent Pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows, view where the Scots Greys used to worship and hear the 1907 Lewis pipe organ playing classical pieces. Refreshments (coffee and cake) will be served in church hall.
- United Reformed Church, Priory Street, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 6EX
- Sat 10 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- More info
St Gregory’s Minster
Enjoy trails, talks and tours to help you discover the beauty of Kirkdale alongside the historic and architectural interest of the Minster.
- Kirkdale, Nawton, York, North Yorkshire, YO62 7TZ
- Sat 10 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- More info
The Stained Glass Centre
A rare opportunity to visit one of York’s most beautiful ‘secret’ buildings and learn about the art and craft of stained glass.
- St. Martin Cum Gregory Church, St. Martins Lane, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 6LN
- Sat 17 and Sun 18 Sep
- 10:30am – 4:30pm
- No booking required
- More info
Willow House Open Day
As part of our Archaeology Live festival, take a tour of Willow House, the site of our award-winning programme Archaeology on Prescription! We also will be hosting free videos on our website for anyone who wants to learn more about archaeology.
- Willow House, 34 Long Close Lane, York, North Yorkshire, YO10 4UP
- Sat 17 Sep
- 11am – 3pm
- No booking required
- More info
YCCC Heritage Craft Open Day
York Consortium for Conservation and Craftmanship welcome visitors for an opportunity to meet craft practitioners from a spectrum of heritage craft and conservation disciplines.
- St. Anthonys Hall, Peasholme Green, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7PW
- Sat 17 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- More info
Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust: St Andrew’s Aldborough
As part of the Yorkshire Historic Churches Open Day, St Andrew’s is opening its doors to visitors. Set in the Roman Forum of Isurium Brigantum, the church has a fascinating history. Let our guides show you around, then enjoy some refreshments.
- St Andrew’s, Aldborough, Boroughbridge, York, North Yorkshire, YO51 9EP
- Fri 9 – Sun 11 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- More info