Heritage Open Days

England’s festival of free history 11-20 September 2026

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year for 10 days in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s offers the public a chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.

The New Folkestone Society is the coordinator of Heritage Open Days for the Folkestone & Hythe district.

What’s on

This year, we have 17 venues across the district, plus an online talk.

The organisers are:

• Stelling Minnis Windmill & Museum Trust
• English Heritage – St John’s Commandery

Folkestone

• The Parish Church of St Mary & St Eanswythe
• Folkestone Performing Arts Company at Sunflower House
• Friends of Old Folkestone Cemetery
• Folkestone & District Family History Society

Sandgate

• The Shorncliffe Trust in association with The Sandgate Society
• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission – Shorncliffe Military Cemetery

Hythe

• St Leonard’s Church
• Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway Supporters’ Association

Romney Marsh

• The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust

More information

For the full list of events and to check the most up-to-date information, see the Printable Area List on the Heritage Open Days website.

You can also download our PDF brochure to have your own handy guide.

If you have a public space and would like to display a poster to advertise Heritage Open Days, we would greatly appreciate your support. Download the A3 poster below (prints fine at A4 if you use the ‘fit’ or ‘shrink oversized’ option):

Become an event organiser

If you run a venue or society with heritage links and would like to participate next year, we would love to hear from you! Have a look at our Heritage Open Days: reach a wider audience for free! guide for more information.