Visit Foxlease Park and experience the site's journey through history via the architectural features of our Grade 2* listed Foxlease House and Coach House and surrounds; see features from the Tudor era cottage it once was through to today.
See Rushmoor in a whole new light this September during the Rushmoor Heritage Festival, the local area’s largest celebration of history and culture. From 12 to 21 September, over 25 events will be celebrating Aldershot and Farnborough’s unique aviation history.
St Faith at the cross roads has been a place of worship for at least 800 years. A special self-guided tour leaflet has been prepared for this year.
Havant has a wealth of interesting Cemeteries and this guided walk will introduce you to a number of former citizens each with an interesting story to tell.
Discover Southampton’s rich history at God’s House Tower. Enjoy free entry to the Stories Behind the Stones exhibition, explore the gallery, and follow fun family trails around the building. A perfect day out in the heart of the Old Town.
We are inviting members of the public to Victoria Park to engage with the augmented reality installation, The Storm Cone.
Museum Director Simon Walmsley explores some of the weaponry held in our collections in this engaging talk, enhanced by real examples, and aimed at a non-specialist audience.
Learn about the theatre building's history in this 75 minute backstage tour that takes in the stage, dressing rooms, 400-seat auditorium and fly tower.
Visit the Buckler's Hard Visitor Centre & Museum to discover the fascinating stories of this historic maritime village, nestled on the edge of the Beaulieu River in the New Forest, including a talk on Nelson's HMS Agamemnon by Mary Montagu-Scott.
Come and visit the beautiful and interesting St Nicholas Chapel in the attractive harbourside Langstone Conservation Area.
Visit Hinton Ampner, a historic house with distinctive gardens and a beautiful estate near Alresford, Hampshire.
A guided circular walk, exploring the four Mills, the foreshore and Langstone Harbour.
A tour of the ruins of Wolvesey Castle, the 12th century palace of the Bishops of Winchester, led by one of Winchester's official Tourist Guides.
A village walk taking in some of the historic buildings and SSSI locations along part of the River Dever that is not normally open to the public.
Bring the whole family to enjoy the Minster in a slightly different way. Explore the architecture to the music of our house DJs.
Come for guided tours of the fascinating buildings of Bishop's Waltham Palace, started in the 12th century by the Bishop of Winchester. The Palace was so grand all the Tudor Monarchs stayed there.
Join the Newport Minster Team as we dance in the aisles to the tunes of our house DJs. Music of all genres for all tastes (we hope).
A guided 9 mile circular walking trail from Overton to Steventon following in Jane Austen's footsteps.
P&G Wells is on College Street in Winchester and is (possibly) the oldest bookshop in England. During HODs we will open up the old Bindery & give short talks about the history of the building & the people who worked (and lived) here.
Step into the shoes of a medieval monk and make a seal for authenticating a grant.
Chesil Theatre is based in a medieval former Church of St Peter Chesil and visitors are welcome to look around the building and learn something of the activities that take place there.
Step into a Grade 1 church whose chequered architectural history hides its earliest Saxon origins. With significant architectural and literary associations, an unusual chancel screen and a hidden geological feature, this is a venue not to be missed.
On Saturday 13th September 2025, Abbey House will be open to the public as part of the Heritage Open Days scheme. Abbey House is the official residence of the Mayor of Winchester, and is not usually open to the public.
We are throwing open our doors and inviting everyone in for the annual Inspire Weekend - FREE ENTRY all weekend for visitors to come in, explore, engage and find out more about what we do for the local community.
As part of their annual participation in the Heritage Open Days festival, Winchester MG Owners’ Club will be arranging a display of classic and sports cars at The Great Hall.
Exhibition on the theme of "The Nature of Simplicity" including art works by local Quakers. Visit our lovely Grade II listed Georgian house and peaceful walled garden.
We welcome craftspeople to the Bishop’s Waltham Palace and Museum for the day!
See the legendary King Arthur's Round Table with free entrance to The Great Hall and Westgate Museum on 13th September.
This Grade II* building, built in 1672, is the second oldest purpose-built Quaker Meeting House. You are welcome to look around and learn about our past in Alton and the present work of Quakers. There will be activities taking place.
A static display of classic and sports cars at The Great Hall, organised by Winchester MG Owners Club.
Anglo-Saxon living history displays in collaboration with Herigeas Hundas!
Solve the clues (guided by a Hyde900 volunteer), as you follow the trail from Winchester City Museum to Hyde Abbey - King Alfred's resting place and the location of Hyde900's Heritage Open Day events. Discover some fascinating facts along the way.
Come and see the finds discovered in local gardens during community excavations from 2016 to 2023 and talk to experts about the significance of those finds.
Enjoy guided walks at a beautiful Victorian church while learning interesting insights into St. Denys Parish Church. Our guided walks will uncover the hidden history of our lovely Grade II Listed Victorian church, designed by George Gilbert Scott.
An amazing opportunity to have a go at making tiles in the medieval manner!
Take your time to search out the Gazebo Garden and enjoy a break from modern life. The beautiful garden is open all year but the gazebo itself, a place from which to gaze, will be open for you to explore and some interpretation will be available to explain why it was created.
GHT is opening its doors to join Southampton’s free city-wide music festival; Music in the City! Enjoy live music performances and discover Southampton's rich history at God's House Tower.
Explore a former Tudor powerhouse turned 17th-century family home, set in gardens, woodlands and wetlands. Visit the shop selling locally sourced goods and the cosy Brewhouse tea-room serving light refreshments and beverages.
This walking tour led by Dr Cindy Wood will explore medieval Winchester - looking at the characters who lived in various properties and churches in the city which are now lost.
Farnborough Hill, founded in 1889, is a leading Catholic independent day school for girls. Set in a Grade I listed building it is also the former home to the Empress Eugéne, the wife of Napoleon III.
Join us for a tour of Winchester Cathedral to explore the history of the British Empire through the art and language of memorials from this period.
St Peter's Ropley has evolved over the centuries, especially after the great fire that almost destroyed the building eleven years ago. The six historic bells have been re-hung in a unique free standing bell tower.
Guided tour of The Great Hall to learn about the architecture, the hall's history and the round table.
A backstage tour of Theatre Royal Winchester for families that takes in the stage, dressing rooms and backstage areas.
Discover the changing conditions in which British soldiers lived in Aldershot Garrison, through a walk and talk around the buildings of the Aldershot Military Museum, which include two rare surviving examples of Victorian barrack blocks.
See the Hampshire Regency Dancers in all their splendour and enjoy the dances from the late Georgian and Regency periods.
A 2.5 mile circular guided walking trail exploring Overton in Jane Austen’s Time. Following country lanes, streets, and pavements.
The Captain Swing Riots in Hampshire in November 1830 led to the incarceration in the Gaol in Jewry Street, Winchester of around 300 men. Our show will look at their experience of imprisonment and impact on their families as they faced catastrophe.
On the 13th and 14th of September, enjoy a behind-the-scenes look through The Watercress Line’s Engineering Hub at Ropley Station and discover what’s involved in renovating and maintaining a steam locomotive.
Enjoy a one-hour tour of Winchester College's Archives.
Treasury houses the school’s collections of art and archaeology. These include artefacts from Egypt, Greece and Rome, casts of the Parthenon Frieze, and Chinese ceramics from the Han to Qing dynasties.
A talk looking at Winchester's ancient waterways - who built them, why and how do they connect to each other?
We invite you to come and be surprised by what’s behind United Church Winchester’s doors. The Sanctuary is upstairs a with a large roof lantern.
Join us on a series of exciting tours that delve into the unusual architectural history of the outside of Portsmouth Cathedral.
Enjoy a one-hour tour of Winchester College's Fellows' Library.
Join Damian Kelly-Basher - Hampshire Poet 2024-26 - for a creative writing workshop followed by a sharing session, exploring the Heritage Open Days theme of ‘architecture’.
Entry to a privately owned Grade II* Listed former Norman Chapel desecrated since the 17th Century, to view an exhibition on Overton in Jane Austen’s time.
Join us for some sustainable, family-friendly craft activities for children aged 5-11.
A one-hour tour of Winchester College's private war memorial, War Cloister.
This talk will revolve around the development of The Elms, one of the most historically interesting and important houses in the village of Old Bedhampton.
A pop-up interactive exhibition and activity tent. Family-friendly activity based in Winchester College's Outer Court.
An opportunity for the public to visit the Heritage Centre on this otherwise private site and gain an insight into the origins and activities of the Scout movement in Hampshire (and beyond) through the years.
The Friends of King Alfred Buses collection of vintage buses dating from 1929 to 1970 will be operating a range of free bus services based on Winchester Broadway from 1000 to 1600.
The World War 1 Remembrance Centre in Portsmouth is dedicated to the eternal memory of those who fought and died in the conflict.
Arthur Edward Cogswell was a prominent architect and draughtsman in the Portsmouth and Southsea areas and was responsible for many of the iconic landmark buildings which can still be seen around the city today.
Explore the historic Townhill Park estate, owned by Lord and Lady Swaythling in the early 1900s. Wander around the house designed by L.R. Gutherie and through the beautiful formal gardens by Gertrude Jekyll. Home to The Gregg School since 1994.
Drawn in by the Architecture - Families
On Sunday 14 September, the Church of St Michael and All Angels will open its doors when it hosts the Bullington Fete between 2 and 4.30 pm. There will be a selection of stalls, including local produce, cream teas, a tombola and bouncy castle.
An opportunity to look around this small ancient church, which dates back before the Domesday book. With the help of a guided tour learn about its rich history and how it has been a landmark in the village of North Baddesley for many centuries.
This is a walk around the medieval town of Bishop's Waltham, with architectural information and tales of residents along the way.
As part of the regeneration project together 3 key elements: The Writer in Residence will outline her work; an exhibition of WW1 men from the area and the Pompey Pals will talk about their work.
Join artist Trudie Wilson to explore the stunning architecture of Newport Minster through drawing – all abilities and everyone welcome!
Come join us for an exciting journey through the rich history of Portsmouth at The Green House Community Hub, hosted by Solent Original Walks.
Where Farleigh House stands today, a house has stood for almost a thousand years. Shaped by the rise and fall of kings, by wars and by a family’s work and traditions.
A chance to see inside Winchester’s magnificent Victorian Guildhall, which is only accessible normally for special functions.
Join author Ainslie Hepburn for an engaging talk about her book - A Jew Who Defeated Nazism.
'In the Footsteps of the Holocaust' - A talk by author Ainslie Hepburn
Join us on a series of exciting tours that delve into the unusual architectural history of the inside of Portsmouth Cathedral.
Award-winning artist Laura Daly and curator Lindsay Taylor (University of Salford Art Collection) will discuss The Storm Cone, an artwork by Daly that merges augmented reality with the real world for a breath-taking experience.
The Hampshire Gardens Trust Research Group has completed a survey of all urban parks in Hampshire and is hosting an exhibition showcasing four years of research.
Visit The Brickworks Museum during Heritage Open Days and come in for free. A great opportunity to find out what this hidden gem of a Hampshire museum is really like…
A look at the varied architecture of Kingsgate Street and the Cathedral Close, Winchester, with one of Winchester’s official Tourist Guides.
This is the story of the Manor House of Havant, its use as a private school and the family who were, for three generations, the Head Masters and Mistresses of that school, Manor House Academy.
An engaging talk from Assistant Curator Alex Crisp exploring the end of the Second World War.
There are many stories about the Pallant and Prince George Street, formally Bear Street and this area of the town where the pond once stood. Cattle roamed past on their way to market while the coaches from London lumbered by on their way to the Bear.
Enjoy a day exploring the home of writer and naturalist Gilbert White for free!
Almost 200 years ago local agricultural workers revolted in what has come to be known as the Swing Riots. This special day’s events, including the play reading of ‘The Women Left Behind’ by Christine Lawrence celebrate and bemoan those events.
Join us on a series of exciting tours that delve into the unusual architecture history of the Organ of Portsmouth Cathedral.
To celebrate the museum's 70th anniversary and Heritage Open Day's 2025 theme of architecture.
Come and try your hand at bell ringing in our friendly tower. Learn about how the bells work and
chime a bell yourself.
See a 1680's Grade II listed house which has been made more energy-efficient: air source heat pump, secondary triple-glazing, under-floorboard insulation (two types), thermal wallpaper, thermal lime plaster, hemp insulation, solar panels, battery.
Havant has a wealth of interesting Cemeteries and this guided walk will introduce you to a number of former citizens, each with an interesting story to tell.
Come and see this church, re-built from ruins in the 19th century. Discover it's rich architecture with the help of a guided history tour given by the people who regularly worship in the church.
Do you want to start your family history or explore the story of your house? Hampshire Archives are open for everyone, so step inside our Grade 2 listed building and find out how to get started.
Join us at Mottisfont on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September 2025 for Heritage Open Days, where you can enjoy free entry to this historic National Trust property with lots to explore!
Step inside and discover the rich history of the Middle Brook Centre — from the Ritz cinema, to a bingo hall, to today's church. Share your memories and help bring its past to life!
Join us on Saturday 20th September for the Winchester Military Museums Big Open Day! Free entry to all 6 museums all day!
A 90-minute guided walk up and around St Giles Hill, including the prominent, wooded slopes and park that overlooks the centre of the city of Winchester. The walk will be led by noted horticulturalist and local historian Dr Harry Mycock.
Romsey Signal Box - a Working Museum, with hands-on activities for everyone.
This is a guided tour around the West Hill Cemetery in Winchester. Led by Dr Christina Welch (University of Winchester) it will provide an overview of the site from its establishment through to more contemporary times. Do wear appropriate footwear.
Visit an energy efficient Victorian terraced house in central Winchester, talk to the owner and find out what they've done and how they did it.
Matt Fletcher and Kevin Butler, of performance troupe Out There Actions, tell the true story of a curious adventure experienced by two cows at Winchester City Mill in September 1849. A ten-minute show for the whole family, performed on demand.
To prepare for this afternoon's talk on the work of AE Stallard, the Havant Architect, this guided walk will visit some of the key local buildings designed by him.
Join us for a stroll through Victoria Park to learn about its rich heritage and history!
Parking at the nearby Recreation ground PO9 6AE
Winchester Muse poetry platform meets monthly at the Winchester School of Art. Accomplished poets will read their original work on the HOD theme of 'Architecture.'
A.E. Stallard 1861-1953. A significant architect based for much of his career in Havant. This talk will discuss his work and that of other architects and builders in the vicinity.
An opportunity to look around this Keble Church containing some very interesting architecture, and also to be given a guided tour from a Historian who has co-written a book about the building.
In this 200th year since Railways were first invented, this walk, along part of the popular Hayling Puffing Billy line, will discuss how this key development of steam engines pumping water from mines came to move freight across the country.
Enjoy a musical night with a concert by local Southampton rock group, 'Sholing Minstrels' in our lovely Victorian church.
Emma of Normandy. ‘ Who?’ I hear you ask. Wife of two kings (Aethelred II, the Unready, and King Cnut), mother of two kings (Harthacnut and Edward the Confessor). Don Bryan will tell us why this extraordinary woman deserves to be better known.
Researching Early Black History – records, bias and memory.
A Classic car parade around Winchester city centre! Cars will gather at the St Catherine's Park & Ride before forming up to leave together at 12 noon for a tour of the city centre where they may be seen from many vantage points.
Join Damian Kelly-Basher - Hampshire Poet 2024-26 - for a journey on one of King Alfred’s Buses to hear poems exploring the Heritage Open Days theme of ‘Routes - Networks - Connections’.
Display of documents and maps on the Portsmouth and Arundel Navigation Canal that was never completed from the home of the Chairman of investors.
Stepping into the Roman footsteps, learn about how the archaeological investigations have brought history to life and how the city walls history has taught us about life as a Roman and more!
The Friends of King Alfred Buses collection of vintage buses dating from 1929 to 1970 will be operating a range of free bus services based on Winchester Broadway from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
The National Motor Museum Trust (Beaulieu) will be displaying a 1971 Sprite 400 caravan in full retro glory. Our 'Caravan for the Community' is a place for people to connect and create with the Museum, to share motoring memories and travel tales!
Joan of Navarre is one of England's least known - but most interesting - queens consort. This talk will reveal her very unusual route to becoming Queen of England, including her challenging voyage to Winchester to marry Henry IV in 1403.
A historical guided walk of the pubs and brewery sites in Alton Hampshire - 'the Burton of the South'. A leisurely 2 hour plus walk through Alton to see the sites of Alton's pubs and breweries with two stops at local pubs to sample local beers.
Dr Crook, architectural advisor to Hyde900, discusses the layout of Hyde Abbey, a major medieval monastery, obliterated under Henry VIII. The community archaeological excavations have added significantly to our knowledge of the abbey’s core buildings.
Uncovering secrets from the past, we explore the role a wartime spy school concealed deep in Hampshire's New Forest. Established to train secret agents to 'set Europe ablaze', the school had a lasting legacy that remains relevant today.
Talk on the Portsmouth and Arundel Navigation Canal that was never completed from the home of the Chairman of investors.
Winchester Muse presents an lively programme of poetry based on the HODs 2024 theme. Accomplished poets have been selected from our poetry platform which meets on the second Monday of the month, 7pm at Winchester School of Art.
Join us for some family-friendly craft activities based on our Treasury museum collections.
Berengaria of Navarre, often forgotten queen of England, forged partnerships and connections across Western Europe during her marriage and beyond. This talk explores connections, friendships, and alliances in medieval Europe.
Feed your curiosity about the striking art deco building on Alresford Road by exploring St Swithun's with the school librarian. Learn about our history with a guided tour and see some of our fabulous artefacts dating back to 1884.
Join us in the Basingstoke Shop for a talk on the history of Berry Bros & Rudd, followed by a tasting of some of our most iconic wines and spirits.
A pop-up interactive exhibition and activity tent, showcasing some of our Science and Natural History Collections, in relation to the Routes, Networks, and Connections theme.
Who do you think we are? What do you think we do? Come to Hampshire Record Office to watch our conservator at work demonstrating the amazing leaf-casting technique for repairing documents.
On the 14th and 15th of September, enjoy a Behind the Scenes Tour through The Watercress Line’s Engineering Hub at Ropley Station and discover what’s involved in renovating and maintaining a steam locomotive.
History-lovers will have the rare chance to go behind the scenes at Royal Armouries Fort Nelson and see pieces of the national collection of artillery not usually on show to the public, during Heritage Open Days.
Romsey Signal Box - a Working Museum, with hands-on activities for everyone.
Home to an epic series of large-scale murals by the acclaimed artist Stanley Spencer created to honour the ‘forgotten dead' of the First World War.
Who do you think we are? What do you think we do? Come along to Hampshire Record Office to connect to the past, explore the fascinating world of archives and watch our conservator at work.
Hampshire communities involved in the Captain SWING RIOTS of 1830 are exploring the tragic events which culminated in the Grand Assize in the Great Hall, Winchester followed by executions and mass transportations. This event reports latest findings.
Out There Actions tell the story of the Great Pilgrimage of 1913, when women marched through Winchester on their way to London, campaigning for the Vote. This will be a short performance, repeated throughout the day, on demand.
Exhibition of "Loving Earth Project" Panels of sewn collage celebrating parts of our planet that we value and want to conserve. Visit our lovely Grade II listed Georgian house and peaceful walled garden. Cream teas and refreshments available.
Hyde Abbey Heritage – a guided walk in the footsteps of the monks and pilgrims who frequented Hyde Abbey in the days of its Medieval glory.
