Preston Heritage Open Days dates set as 30th anniversary to be marked

Preston Markets lit up for Wear Red Day Pic: Paul Melling — Preston’s Markets take part in the heritage tours and walks Pic: Paul Melling

Heritage Open Days has announced that they will be celebrating their 30th anniversary this year and the events will include Preston and surrounding areas.

The events return this September 6th-15th with thousands of free activities and experiences.

The open days include visits to historic houses, factories, museums, music halls and gardens.

Heritage Open Days has grown into a ten-day festival over the last three decades, celebrating different aspects of heritage and culture.

With more than 100,000 events and over 39 million visits across 30 years, it has grown from just 700 events in the first year to over 5,250 in 2023.

Hundreds of activities will adopt this year’s theme, Routes – Networks – Connections, bringing together the past and present in a festival that includes workshops, talks, hidden spaces, walks and activities for all the family.

Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days Marketing & Projects Manager says: “The scale and diversity of Heritage Open Days is just incredible – every year thousands of passionate people help visitors to make doorstep discoveries and connect with history and heritage in every part of England.

“This year though, it will be extra special as we celebrate three decades worth of stories and all the brilliant people and places that have made it, and continue to make it, all possible!”

The festival again feature thousands of events and activities across Preston including:

Ashton Freehold – the Route to a New Suburb
Preston Markets Heritage Walk
Mere Brow Smithy
Dobcroft Nature Reserve
Preston Cleansing Department
Longridge: from Romans to railways
Ashton Freehold Networks – Sisters, Servants and Soap
Preston Masonic Hall
Ashton Freehold Connected – Sewers, Services and Supplies
Becconsall-Lancashire’s Living History & Heritage Museum

The full line-up will be released in the weeks ahead and you can explore more on the Heritage Open Days website.

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