The highly-successful Heritage Open Days (HODs) is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the latest programme launching tomorrow (6 September) and running until 15 September. There will be more than 5,400 events taking place across England for the duration of the festival.

Founded in 1994, it is the country’s largest festival of history and culture and during the three decades since Heritage Open Days began it has grown in scope and scale. It began as a weekend dedicated to revealing buildings not normally open to the general public and is now a a ten-day festival, celebrating a myriad different aspects of heritage and culture. During its 30 years, there has been more than 100,000 events and over 39 million visits and it has grown from just 700 events in the first year to over 5,250 in 2023. 

Still committed to its founding principles of free access and being community-led, it’s a much-loved event that many look forward to every year. Hundreds of activities will adopt this year’s theme, Routes – Networks - Connections, bringing together the past and present in a festival that includes workshops, talks, hidden spaces, walks and activities for all the family. 

Laura Chow, head of charities at the People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We are thrilled to be celebrating 30 years of this wonderful festival. Our players are helping to keep the doors open and free for everyone. We hope even many more people will come out to explore, celebrate and enjoy England’s national heritage.” 

For further information, and to enquire about registering your event, visit heritageopendays.org.uk.