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.

Brougham Hall and Penrith

Free Brougham Hall guided tours are listed at 2pm on 12, 16 and 19 September, with medieval re-enactment on 19 and 20 September.

Low Borrowbridge Roman Fort and Farm

Three pre-booked guided walks give rare access to the Roman fort and working farm near Tebay: 11am and 1pm on 12 September, then 11am on 19 September. Each lasts around two hours and is limited to 30 people. Expect uneven ground, wear stout footwear and do not bring a dog.

Acorn Bank Watermill

The Acorn Bank Watermill Celebrations runs from 10.30am to 3pm on Saturday 19 September only. Visitors can see the working mill and its second waterwheel being brought back to life after nearly 100 years. Booking is not required. The Apple Weekends tasting programme also runs from 11am to 3pm.

Booking

Free does not always mean turn-up access. Low Borrowbridge and Sizergh require advance booking, while Allan Bank, Farfield Mill and the Acorn Bank watermill celebration 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. Low Borrowbridge has uneven ground and does not allow dogs. 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 timed events back to back.