While some venues are participating throughout the festival, others are opening for one weekend only, so be sure to check individual dates before visiting.
From castles and museums to guided walks and historic buildings, Heritage Open Days offers the perfect opportunity to discover Worcestershire's fascinating past, completely free of charge.
The Commandery, Worcester
Enjoy free entry to one of Worcester's most historic buildings during Heritage Open Days. Visitors can explore The Commandery and attend talks from architecture expert Nick Joyce.
Date: 20 September
Croome, National Trust
Join guided walks, heritage tours and special open day experiences at Croome. Discover the stories behind this magnificent National Trust estate while exploring its beautiful parkland.
Dates: 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18 September
Royal Worcester Factory Site Walking Tour, Worcester
Discover centuries of craftsmanship on a free 30-minute guided tour of the original Royal Worcester factory site. Led by museum staff, the tour explores the story of world-famous Worcester porcelain through six unique heritage installations.
Dates: 12, 15 & 17 September
Tudor House Museum, Worcester
Watch a fascinating series of short films exploring the history of Friar Street, Worcester, featuring memories from local residents dating back to the 1940s.
Dates: 12, 16, 17, 18 & 19 September
The Firs: Elgar's Birthplace, Lower Broadheath
Visit the birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar and discover the story of one of England's greatest composers at this National Trust property.
Dates: 11, 12, 13 & 14 September
Guildhall Worcester
Step inside Worcester's impressive 18th-century Guildhall and uncover the stories behind one of the city's most iconic civic buildings through special heritage tours.
Dates: 11 & 12 September
Pershore Abbey Welcome Festival
Explore the beauty and history of Pershore Abbey, enjoy the sounds of the famous Ruffati organ, take a tower tour for spectacular views, and relax with tea and cake. Dogs are welcome on leads.
Date: 19 September
Droitwich Spa Heritage & Information Centre
Go behind the scenes and discover fascinating archives that reveal the rich heritage of this historic salt town.
Date: 12 September
Worcester Old Palace
Rarely open to the public, the Old Palace offers visitors the chance to explore the historic residence of the Bishops of Worcester.
Date: 13 September
Upton-upon-Severn Walking Tour
Join a guided walk through this charming riverside town and learn about its architecture, heritage and local history.
Dates: Multiple dates available
Malvern Museum
Located within the medieval Abbey Gateway, Malvern Museum tells the story of the town from medieval times through to its Victorian spa heyday.
Date: 20 September
Hartlebury Castle
Explore the former Bishops' Palace, including historic state rooms, chapel and gardens.
Dates: 11 & 12 September
Norton Collection Museum, Bromsgrove
Packed with intriguing artefacts and local history displays, this unique museum makes for a fascinating family day out.
Dates: 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 & 20 September
History & Heritage Fun at Avoncroft Museum of Buildings
Find out how people lived, worked and played over 700 years of history. Enjoy free entry to explore 19 acres of historic buildings, interactive exhibits and family-friendly activities.
Dates: Multiple dates available
Forge Mill Needle Museum & Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre, Redditch
Discover Redditch's industrial heritage at the world's only remaining needle-scouring mill and explore the historic remains of Bordesley Abbey.
Date: 13 September
Making Redditch's Paolozzi Mosaics
Learn the story behind Sir Eduardo Paolozzi's iconic mosaics in Redditch town centre and the creative process behind these celebrated artworks.
Date: 19 September
Tudor House Museum, Upton-upon-Severn
Take part in a guided history walk before exploring this fascinating museum, housed in one of the town's oldest buildings.
Dates: Multiple dates available
More Heritage Open Days Events Across Worcestershire
Worcester
- Guildhall Worcester Heritage Tours – 11 & 12 September
- Worcester Old Palace Open Day – 13 September
- Free Entry to The Commandery with talks by Nick Joyce – 20 September
- EVOLVE Art Exhibition, Worcester Arts Collective – 19 & 20 September
- Worcester News Archives – 14 September
- Worcester Dissenter's Way Walking Tour – 17 September
- Greyfriars House & Garden – 12 September
- Former Royal Worcester Artist Demonstration – 15 September
- Tudor House Museum Curator-Led House Tours – Multiple dates available
Malvern
- Malvern Museum Free Entry – 12 September
- Malvern Masonic Hall Open Day – 12 September
- Guided Tour of North Malvern Clock Tower (Cascade Gates Sculpture) – 19 September
- Great Malvern Priory Stained Glass Special Tour – 18 September
- Guided Tour of Great Malvern Priory – 15 September
- Great Malvern Priory Medieval Tiles and Misericords Special Tour – 17 September
- Guided Tour of Malvern Station – Multiple dates available
- Lived Experiences of Malvern – 20 September
- Quaker Architecture at Malvern Meeting House – Multiple dates available
- Visit Little Malvern Priory (Historic Painted Glass) – Multiple dates available
Callow End
- History of Callow End Village – 12 September
Droitwich Spa
- Droitwich Spa Heritage & Information Centre Tour – 12 September
- Church of the Sacred Heart & St Catherine of Alexandria – 12 September
- Tower Hill Open Afternoon – 18 September
- Life on the Buses Archive – Multiple dates available
Upton-upon-Severn
- Upton-upon-Severn Walking Tour (starting at Tudor House Museum) – Multiple dates available
Hanley Castle
- Patchwork Stories – 18, 19 & 20 September
Bromsgrove
- Christ Church, Catshill – Multiple dates available
- St John's Church – 12 September
- Tardebigge Wharf Guided Local History Walk – Multiple dates available
- Everyday Histories at St Michael's & the Upton Warren Communities – Multiple dates available
- Stoke Prior and Worcestershire Memorabilia Display at St Michael and All Angels Church – Multiple dates available
- Sidemoor Heritage Day at New Song Community Church – 12 September
- A Musical Heritage at Avoncroft Museum – 20 September
- Bromsgrove Baptist Church: Moving with the Times – 19 September
- Free Genealogy Workshop at Bromsgrove Library – 11 September
- Norton Collection Museum – 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 & 20 September
- Dodford Children's Farm Heritage Event – Multiple dates available
- All Saints and its Windows – 12 September
- History & Heritage Fun at Avoncroft Museum of Buildings – Multiple dates available
Redditch
- Free Genealogy Workshop (Redditch Library) – 12 September
- Everyday History at St Stephen's Church – Multiple dates available
- Making Redditch's Paolozzi Mosaics (Kingfisher Shopping Centre) – 19 September
- What Have the Victorians Done for Us? – 12 September
- Redditch Local History Museum Heritage Walk – Multiple dates available
- Royal Enfield Bullet Sculpture – Available anytime
- Redditch Carnival Street Festival – 19 September
- Forge Mill Needle Museum & Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre – 13 September
Evesham
- Shopfront Stories Family Trail – Multiple dates available
- Shopfront Stories Children's Craft: Create Your Own Shop Window – Multiple dates available
- The Everyday History of Wickhamford – Multiple dates available
Tenbury Wells
- Tenbury Tales at Tenbury Wells Museum – Multiple dates available
- St Michael's and All Angels Church – Multiple dates available
Pershore
- Pershore Abbey Welcome Festival – 19 September
- Elmley Castle – 12 September
Pinvin
- St Nicholas Church – Multiple dates available
Barnes Close
- The Greenhouse at Barnes Close Open Day – 15 September
Kidderminster
- Hartlebury Castle Tours – 11 & 12 September
National Trust Sites
- Croome Walks and Tours – 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18 September
- The Firs: Elgar's Birthplace – 11, 12, 13 & 14 September
Start Exploring Worcestershire's Heritage
Worcestershire is a county rich in history, stories and unique places. Heritage Open Days is the perfect opportunity to step inside hidden buildings, join expert-led tours and uncover fascinating local heritage, all completely free of charge.
For full event listings and visitor information, click here.