Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, taking place every September and involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Stories are told, traditions explored and histories brought to life. The festival provides members of the general public with the chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences. And what’s more, it’s all absolutely FREE.

The event returns this year from Friday 6 to Sunday 15 September - and here are just some of the venues you can explore around the region...

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Avoncroft Museum - Redditch Road, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 4J

Avoncroft Museum offers families a unique opportunity to join in with members of Colonel Nicholas Devereux’s Regiment in the grounds and buildings of the venue. 

The immersive weekend event features displays, demonstrations and plenty of opportunities to get hands-on with history. 

Sat 7 & Sun 8 Sept | 10am-4pm, no pre-booking required

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The Commandery - Sidbury, Worcester, WR1 2HU

Set in the heart of historic Worcester, The Commandery is famous for having been the Royalist headquarters during the 1651 Battle of Worcester - the deciding confrontation of the English Civil War.

Visitors can enjoy the museum and beautiful gardens for free. Highlights include the Civil War Story - explaining Worcester’s vital role in the conflict - the magnificent medieval Painted Chamber and the Great Hall. 

Sun 15 Sept | 10am-3pm, no pre-booking required

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The Firs Elgars Birthplace - Crown East Lane, Lower Broadheath, Worcester, WR2 6RH

Take advantage of free entry to the birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar during this year's Heritage Open Days.

Set in sight of his beloved Malvern Hills, this small family home in the village of Lower Broadheath is the perfect environment for nurturing a creative genius. The idyllic cottage garden has been planted in the classic cottage garden style, the garden offers a place to sit, reflect, and admire a vast array of seasonal flowers and plants, throughout the year. There is also an orchard and woodland to explore.

Mon 9, Fri 13, Sat 14, & Sun 15 Sept | 10am-5pm, no pre-booking required

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Great Malvern Station Walk - Great Malvern Station, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3AL

Enjoy a one-hour walk around the station, led by Dr Michael Pritchard, chairman of the Malvern Railways Group. The walk will include details of the renovation work carried out over the past three years, including the replacement of the clock mechanism, new replica lights and the repainting of the station.

Tues 10 Sept | 10.30am, pre-booking required

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Historic Graffiti Tour - Worcester Cathedral, Worcestershire, WR1 2LA

This guided tour of the historic graffiti of Worcester Cathedral explores the marks left by those who built it, and by those who have worshipped and visited there, from the Middle Ages to the present day.

The graffiti shows the changing nature of belief, practice and worship across the centuries, in the process revealing the personalities, thoughts and fears of those who visited the venue. The guided tour of the graffiti, both inside and outside the cathedral building, lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

Sat 14 Sept | 12pm & 3pm, no pre-booking required

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Knapp and Papermill Walk - Knapp and Papermill Reserve, Bridges Stone, Alfrick, Worcester, WR6 5HR

Enjoy a one-hour walk with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust around this flagship reserve, which hosts the Leigh Brook, home of otters. The trail around the Knapp and Papermill starts in an apple orchard with old lichen-encrusted trees that attract nuthatches and green woodpeckers. Keep an eye out for red admiral and peacock butterflies, or birds like fieldfare and redwing as they feast on the fallen fruit.

Fri 13 Sept | 10.30am, pre-booking required

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The Tudor House Museum - 16 Church Street, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcester, WR8 0HT

Upton’s historic Tudor House Museum has recently been refurbished and is ready to welcome visitors on both Heritage Open Day weekends for an informative one-hour guided history walk around the town. 
Guides will cover a range of topics during the walk, including the battle of Upton in 1651, the role that the river played in influencing trade, the floods, and celebrated personalities. After the walk, visitors can explore the museum and garden, which are cared for by a dedicated team of volunteers. 

Sat 7 & Sun 8 and Sat 14 & Sun 15 Sept | 1.30pm, no pre-booking required

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Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery - Foregate Street, Worcester, WR1 1DT

On Saturday 14 September, Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery will celebrate the opening of the new exhibition, Connections - The Worcester City Collection, in Conversation with the Community.

Featuring artworks from Worcester’s own collection, selected by community groups in 2023 and 2024, the exhibition explores people’s different responses to art and the emotions and perspectives it can evoke.

Throughout the day you can help make a community artwork by creating a joint collage, as well as live music to enjoy and a trail for children to take part in.

There will be short ‘spotlight’ talks in the exhibition that will last for about 10 minutes to discuss one of the art works on display. These will be at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

Sat 14 Sept | 10am-4pm, no pre-booking required

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