England’s largest festival of history and culture is back – and here’s a guide to which York attractions you can visit for free.
Heritage Open Days 2023 is taking place from Friday 8 to Sunday 17 September.
There are over 20 historical locations in and around York taking part this year. The two week festival 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, YO43 4ED
- Sun 10 Sep
- 2-5pm
- No booking required
- Full wheelchair access
- More info
Beningbrough Hall, Gallery & Gardens
Explore the evolving gardens full of late colour and watch the harvest grow in the walled garden. The historic rooms on the ground floor of the hall have re-opened after a £2.3million project; rediscover the story of Beningbrough.
- Beningbrough, York, Y030 1DD
- Fri 8 & Sat 9 Sep
- 10am – 5pm
- No booking required
- Partial wheelchair access
- More info
Catacombs and tours at York Cemetery
Join us underground for a peek into the rarely opened Catacombs under the Chapel at York Cemetery. Then enjoy a short talk and fascinating walk around the Cemetery with an expert guide.
- York Cemetery Trust, The Gatehouse, Cemetery Road, York, YO10 5AJ
- Sun 17 Sep
- Catacombs every 30 minutes between 12pm and 3pm. Talk and tour starts at 1pm and 2pm
- Booking is preferred
- No wheelchair access
- More info
Church of All Saints, Old Byland
All Saints is an ancient church lying just off the picturesque village green of Old Byland. The church stonework dates back to Norman times, late 11th and early 12th century. Old Byland is about one mile above Rievaulx Abbey in the North York Moors.
- Church of All Saints, Village Green, Old Byland, York, YO62 5LG
- Sat 9 & Sat 16 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- Full wheelchair access
- More info
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Church of the Holy Redeemer
A delightful listed church, designed by renowned architect George Pace. the church was built in 1964 using a fascinating mix of modern materials and historic materials from the former 10th century church of St Mary Bishophill Senior.
- 108 Boroughbridge Road, York, YO26 6AB
- 9, 10, 13, 16, 17 Sep
- 11am – 3pm, or 12-3pm
- No booking required – but max 30 people per tour/session
- Full wheelchair access
- More info
Coffee Morning and Heritage Tour
Join us for coffee and a free guided tour the medieval heritage of All Saints North Street.
- All Saints North Street, York, YO1 6JD
- Thurs 14 Sep
- 11am – 12:30pm
- No booking required
- Partial wheelchair access
- More info
Concord Lodge
Find out more about Freemasonry, what we are about and how we support the Community. Our Lodge Room will be set up to view and we will be happy to explain how it all works.
- The Folk Hall, Hawthorn Terrace, New Earswick, York, YO32 4AQ
- Sat 9 Sep
- 10am – 1pm
- No booking required
- Full wheelchair access
- More info
Conservation Open Day with Barley Studios
Find out more about our recent stained glass restoration project with experts from Barley Studio.
- All Saints North Street, York, YO1 6JD
- Sat 9 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- Partial wheelchair access
- More info
Coverlets: created in conflict
A rare opportunity to view three fascinating pieces from the Quilters’ Guild Museum Collection, on display at York Army Museum as part of their Creativity from Conflict programme of events and exhibitions.
- York Army Museum, 3 Tower St, York YO1 9SB
- Fri 8 – Sat 16 Sep
- 10am – 3pm
- Pre-booking required
- Partial wheelchair access
- 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, YO1 9AF
- Sat 9 & Sat 16 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- Wheelchair access to the ground floor only
- More info
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Gardening the World
Learn more about the horticulture of Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries around the world. Find out what their expert gardeners do, and why.
- Online event
- Mon 11 Sep
- 7-8pm
- Pre-booking required
- Online event
- More info
Glassmaster – A Stained Glass Challenge
It’s 1410 and one of York’s most prominent merchant families, the Blackburns, have decided to commission a new stained glass window for All Saints North Street. Can you come up with the winning design?
- All Saints North Street, York, YO1 6JD
- Mon 11 & Wed 13 Sep
- 7-9pm
- Pre-booking required
- Partial wheelchair access
- More info
Harvest Service at St. Mary’s Birdforth
Join the parishioners of Carlton Husthwaite for a special Harvest Service at historic St. Mary’s Church in Birdforth. Witness this Norman church be brought back to life by the local community and come to view beautiful harvest decorations.
- Church House, Birdforth, Easingwold, York, YO61 4NW
- Sun 17 Sep
- 3pm
- No booking required
- No wheelchair access
- More info
Howsham Mill
Enjoy a short walk along the bank of the River Derwent and cross the bridge onto the small island where you will find the 18th century watermill beautifully restored to its former glory.
- Howsham Mill, Howsham, York, YO60 7PA
- Sun 17 Sep
- 10:30am – 5pm
- No booking required
- Partial wheelchair access
- More info
Little Ouseburn Church and the Brontës at Thorp Green
Explore this beautiful church and mausoleum with guided tours explaining the history and architecture of the church plus a talk regarding Anne and Branwell Brontë. Discover how Anne’s life in the area influenced her writing.
- Holy Trinity Church, Church Lane, Little Ouseburn, York, YO26 9SH
- Sat 9 Sep
- 10:30am – 4pm
- Pre-booking preferred
- Partial wheelchair access – The church is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs but the grounds and ‘Brontë Trail’ walk are not
- More info
Living History Day at Bedern Hall with Frei Compagnie
Re enactment group Frei Compagnie take us back to 15th century for a family day of medieval food, weaving, costumes and knights in shining armour. Sorry, no horses!
- Bedern Hall, Bartle Garth, York, YO1 7AL
- Sun 10 Sep
- 10:30am – 4pm
- No booking required
- Partial wheelchair access
- More info
Nunnington Hall
Discover over 300 years of stories of the people and objects who sought sanctuary at Nunnington hall. Explore a history of how the hall has provided comfort and safety to residents throughout a vast range of historical events in Britain.
- Nunnington Hall, Nunnington, York YO62 5UY
- Fri 15 – Sun 17 Sep
- 10:30am – 5pm
- No booking required
- There are no lifts in the house. Wheelchair access to ground floor
- 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 being played. Refreshments (coffee and cake) will be served in the church.
- St. Columba United Reformed Church, Priory Street, York, YO1 6EX
- Sat 16 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- Full wheelchair access
- More info
St Peter and St Paul Church Scrayingham
Come and discover the hidden history of Scrayingham church, Grade II listed and said to have its origins in Saxon times.
- St Peter and St Paul Church, Main Street, Scrayingham, York, YO41 1JD
- Sat 9 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- Full wheelchair access
- More info
Stonegrave Minster Open Afternoon
A opportunity to explore and learn more about the historic Minster in Stonegrave. Guided tours are available (pre-booking required) or you can simply explore the church in your own time. Light refreshments available.
- Stonegrave Minster, Stonegrave, York, YO62 4LJ
- Sat 16 Sep
- 1-5pm
- Pre-booking required
- Contact event organiser
- More info
The Eventful History of the Prick of Conscience window, All Saints North Street
A talk by Professor Sue Powell on the past, present, and future of the unique Prick of Conscience window at All Saints North Street.
- All Saints North Street, York, YO1 6JD
- Sat 9 Sep
- 2-3pm
- No booking required
- Full wheelchair access
- More info
Wartime Quilts and Coverlets
Take a journey with curator Heather Audin, through the pieces of the Quilters’ Guild Museum Collection to discover some wartime connections.
- Online event
- Sun 17 Sep
- 2-3pm
- Pre-booking required
- Online event
- More info
York Guildhall Walking Tour from Bedern Hall
Join tour guide Dave Hobman as he highlights the trades and traditions of York on a 60-minute walk around the city. The experience includes a look around The Bedern and the walking tour
- Bedern Hall, Bartle Garth, York, YO1 7AL
- Fri 8 Sep
- 11am, 1pm, 2:30pm
- Pre-booking required
- Partial wheelchair access
- 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, YO51 9EP
- Sat 16 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- No booking required
- There is partial wheelchair access to the church but with the assistance of our guides, full wheelchair assistance can be achieved
- More info