Cumbria Heritage Open Days 2026

Heritage Open Days runs across Cumbria from Friday 11 to Sunday 20 September 2026 as part of England's largest festival of history and culture.

There is no single festival site. Participating properties create their own free programme and may open on one day, several days or throughout the festival. Some limited-capacity experiences require advance booking.

Verified Cumbria highlights

Sizergh: Sedgwick Gunpowder Works

Free two-hour guided walks explore the remains of the 19th-century gunpowder works on 11, 15, 18 and 19 September at 11am and 1.30pm. Booking is essential and stout footwear is required.

Allan Bank, Grasmere

Free special guided tours take place on Wednesday 16 September at 11am and 1pm. Booking is not required.

Farfield Mill, Sedbergh

Farfield Mill runs its Heritage Open Days programme from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September, 10.30am to 4pm, with community history, mill-worker stories and traditional craft demonstrations. No pre-booking is required.

Penrith and Brougham Hall

Visit Eden lists free Brougham Hall guided tours at 2pm on 12, 16 and 19 September, with medieval re-enactment on 19 and 20 September. St Andrew's Church in Penrith and Low Borrowbridge Roman Fort also feature in the Eden programme.

Acorn Bank Watermill

The watermill is listed for 19 and 20 September, with visitors able to see the 19th-century machinery working and learn about estate workers and the gypsum mine.

Booking

Free does not always mean turn-up access. Sizergh requires booking, while Allan Bank and Farfield Mill are currently listed without pre-booking. Check every individual event before travelling.

Accessibility

Access varies dramatically between historic houses, mills, church towers and rough outdoor sites. Use the individual venue information rather than assuming one festival-wide standard.

Parking

There is no festival-wide car park. Choose a geographic cluster, use each venue's official arrival information and avoid planning distant one-hour events back to back.