September sees the return of Heritage Open Days, a nationwide festival of history & culture, from Friday 11 - Sunday 20 September. The annual event offers people the chance to check out hidden places and sample new experiences - all for free.

Here are some Birmingham-located options to enjoy...

Birmingham Honey Show | Winterbourne House & Garden | 58 Edgbaston Park Road, B15 2RT
Discover the fascinating world of bees at the Birmingham Honey Show, with live hive demonstrations offering a close-up look at how colonies work. Meet local beekeepers, learn how honey is made, and pick up tips from the experts. Visitors can browse local honey and handmade products, or try traditional candle rolling.

Sunday’s programme includes an awards ceremony celebrating regional beekeeping. There’s also plenty of time to explore Winterbourne House & Garden, with refreshments available from the Terrace Tea Room.

Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 Sept | 10.30am-4.30 Sat, 10.30am-3.30pm Sun, no pre-booking required

Bournville Model Boat Club | Valley Parkway, Bournville Lane, Bournville, B30 1QS
Discover the history of Bournville’s model boating tradition at Bournville Model Yachting Club, founded in 1923.

Originally based at Rowheath Park, the club moved to the Valley Pool, created in the 1920s and officially opened in 1933. Visitors can explore the recently updated boathouse, browse historic photographs and artefacts, and watch model yachts and power boats take to the water. The boathouse and pool have also recently been awarded listed status by Historic England, recognising their importance to Bournville’s heritage.

Saturday 12 September | 10am-4pm, no pre-booking required

Cadbury Archives | Mondelez International, Bournville Lane, Bournville, B30 2HP
Step into the fascinating history of Cadbury at the newly refurbished Cadbury Archives, home to almost 50,000 artefacts, documents and pieces of memorabilia.

Dating back as far as 1842, the collection charts the evolution of the iconic chocolate brand through rare documents, packaging, advertising and personal items.

Highlights include a scrapbook from the original Bridge Street factory and Richard Cadbury’s 1866 watercolour book.

Visitors can also explore a new advertising wall showcasing Cadbury posters through the ages, offering a unique glimpse into the brand’s rich heritage.

Saturday 12 September | 10am-4pm, pre-booking required

The Lost Photographic Industry of the Jewellery Quarter | RBSA Gallery, 4 Brook Street, Jewellery Quarter, B3 1SA
Birmingham was once home to a thriving photographic industry, with the Jewellery Quarter playing an important role in the manufacture of cameras and photographic equipment for more than 100 years.
Join James Leighton on this guided walking tour, exploring the companies that once operated in the area, where they were based and what they produced. The tour begins outside the RBSA Gallery in St Paul’s Square and finishes at the Jewellery Business Centre on Spencer Street, offering a fascinating insight into this lesser-known chapter of Birmingham’s industrial history.

Wednesday 16 September | 11am-12.30pm, pre-booking required

Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Prince Lazar | 92 Griffins Brook Lane, Bournville, B30 1QG
Lazarica Church in Birmingham is the first purpose-built Serbian Orthodox church in the UK, constructed by exiled Serbs and supporters with help from the philanthropic Cadbury family and the Owen family. Dedicated to medieval Serbian Prince St Lazar, the church stands as a powerful reminder of faith, community and resilience. Visitors can learn about its history and founding members through presentations and a short film exploring Serbian culture. There will also be a barbecue serving traditional Serbian food, alongside home-made Serbian cakes and pastries.

Saturday 12 September | 10am-4pm, no pre-booking required

Moseley Park & Pool | 93A/95 Alcester Road, Moseley, B13 8DD
Check out one of Birmingham’s hidden green spaces, courtesy of this rare opportunity to visit Moseley Park & Pool, normally only accessible to keyholders.

Originally part of the Moseley Hall estate, the park’s landscape was shaped by renowned designer Humphry Repton, who recommended creating a larger lake and planting trees to shield the estate from Birmingham’s industrial surroundings. Today, the gated park is maintained as a charitable trust, following decades of efforts by local residents to protect it from development. Take along a picnic and enjoy time exploring this peaceful oasis.

Wednesday 16 September | 10am-4pm, no pre-booking required

For further information about Heritage Open Days across the region, visit the website at heritageopendays.org.uk