Heritage Open Days
Every September, thousands of museums, galleries, factories, archives, churches, and historic buildings throw open their doors for free. It’s Heritage Open Day, England’s biggest celebration of our shared stories, landmarks, and traditions.
Here’s M&D’s family-friendly guide to unique opportunity, when doors open wide and admission is on the house.
12-14, 19-21 September 2025, 13.00 – 16.00
Middleton Parish Church
Explore the Grade I listed church of St Leonard dates from 1100 and was rebuilt 1412 incorporating Norman arches and enlarged 1524.
St. Leonards Square,
Middleton,
Manchester, Greater Manchester, M24 6DJ
www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/middleton-parish-church-2025
13 September, 1/2 hour from 10:30 to 1200 then from 13:30 to 15:00
Stockport Garrick Theatre
Take a backstage guided tour of Stockport Garrick Theatre. Audience members usually only see the public rooms and the auditorium, this is an opportunity to look behind the scenes. Plus a history presentation and photo ops.
Stockport Garrick was established in 1901 and has occupied the current premises since 1920. It is part of an old mill building on the A6, near to The Hat Museum,
Stockport Garrick Theatre Ltd
Exchange Street, Stockport
Greater Manchester, SK3 0EJ
www.stockportgarrick.co.uk/whats-on/productions/heritage-open-day
13 September, 11:00 – 12:00, 14:00 – 15:00
RAILWAY 200: at Castlefield Viaduct
A comical, educational and entertaining look back at our railways
Complete with original new music, this show will take you back to the golden age of rail. Come and find out how it all started, what the Bronte’s had to do with trains and what was the British Rail Flying Saucer?
2025 sees the 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger steam railway. The UK (and the rest of the globe) is celebrating this milestone. Gare Du Nord Theatre, along with Avanti West Coast have put together a 75min show detailing the events from the past 200 years in a comical and educational retelling. The show features famous historic people and the ups and downs of the railway from the past two centuries. It features original new music and songs especially written for the show.
This performance is suitable for families with children over 7 year’s old.
Castlefield Viaduct
Castlefield
Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4LG
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/castlefield-viaduct/
13 September 10:00 – 12:00
17 September 14:00 – 16:00, 18:00 – 20:00
Rubbish to Resource – your recycling in action
Find out exactly what happens to the recycling from Greater Manchester once your bin has been collected. Discover how the state-of-the-art technology in the Materials Recovery Facility sorts and separates the recycling ready to be transformed into something new. You will also have an opportunity to take part in activities to dispel those recycling myths, ask questions and understand why getting it right is important. This is a two hour session that includes a tour plus some indoor recycling activities.
Pre-booking required
Longley Lane
Sharston
Manchester, M22 4RQ
www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/rubbish-to-resource-see-your-recycling-in-action-2025
13, 17, 20 September 10.30 – 16.00
14, 21 September 13.00 – 16.00
Long Street Methodist Church and School
Part of Middleton’s ‘Golden Cluster’ of historic buildings, these church and former schoolrooms are a masterpiece designed by Edgar Wood (1860-1935), a proponent of the Arts and Crafts movement. Built in 1899 it is an outstanding Grade II* listed building incorporating Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and modern stylistic elements into a magnificent whole. The writers of the latest Pevsner guide describe the interior of the church as a ‘knockout’, and the adjacent school is pure Arts and Crafts with a lovely ‘outdoor room’ garden accessed through an Art Nouveau gateway topped by a cubic modern sculpture.
97 Long Street
Middleton
Manchester M24 6UN
www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/long-street-methodist-church-and-school-1-2025
13, 20 September 13:00
Daisy Nook Canal History Walk
Guided walk at an easy pace to see and hear about the surprising number of historic features in this small section of the Droylsden to Hollinwood canal and hear some of the history of the canal and the area.
The walk will take around 90 minutes.
Daisy Nook Country Park
Stannybrook Road ,Newmarket Road
Ashton-under-Lyne
Greater Manchester, M35 9WJ
www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/daisy-nook-canal-history-walk-1-2025
13, 14, 20, 21 September 10:00 – 16:00
Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester
Enjoy free admission to the museum and free opportunity to ride on historic buses from the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester.
The museum holds a collection of over 80 vehicles, mainly buses, but including a fire engine, prototype Metrolink tram, lorries and ancillary vehicles.
Tours using historic buses will run every hour, calling at the Manchester Jewish Museum, Science & Industry Museum and the People’s History Museum in Manchester city centre.
Children under 16 must be accompanied.
Museum of Transport
Boyle Street
Manchester, M8 8UW
www.motgm.uk/events-themed.html#heritage
14 September 10:00 – 17:00
Avro Heritage Museum
An opportunity to visit The Avro Heritage Museum at Woodford and experience the historical importance and legacy of the world famous aircraft manufacturing company, A V Roe & Co ltd. (Avro). A full range of exhibits with aircraft from 1909 to 2011. Follow the amazing aircraft designs from the 1909 Roe triplane replica, to the Avro Anson, Avro Lancaster and the only complete anti flash white Vulcan bomber. Be inspired by cockpit tours and flight simulation, VR experience and behind the scenes tours.
Woodford Aerodrome
Chester Road, Woodford
Stockport, Greater Manchester, SK7 1AG
www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/avro-heritage-museum
16, 17, 18 September 14:00 Tour, exhibition & refreshments
Architectural story of Cheadle Hulme School
Three open afternoons exploring the rich architectural heritage of CHS. Discover hidden gems through the exhibition of historical plans and photographs from the School’s archive, showcasing the evolution of the school’s buildings over time. Take a guided tour of the site, enjoy their heritage and community exhibitions, and participate in the “Draw Our School” activity, where you can capture your own artistic interpretation of this unique architectural landscape.
Refreshments (tea and cake) will be available for a donation to the Cheadle Hulme School Bursary Fund.
Cheadle Hulme School
Claremont Road Cheadle Hulme
Greater Manchester, SK8 6EF
https://www.chscommunity.co.uk/events/view/heritage-of-architecture
16, 20 September 09:00 – 17:00
Dunham Massey
Enjoy a day full of nature, beauty and history. Visit the historic house, take a walk around the gardens and deer park, explore the mill and the beautiful surroundings.
Dunham Massey
Woodhouse Lane
Altrincham, WA14 4SJ
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/dunham-massey/events/
17, 18 September 10:00 & 13:00
East Lancashire Railway “behind the scenes tour”
Take a sneak peek into the various departments, visit Castlecroft Sheds, where all of the engines are stored and maintained. This tour will give you an incredible insight into what really makes the ELR so special.
There are two sessions beginning at Bury Station, max 12 people per session. Each tour will take approximately 2 hours.
What’s Included:
• Walk around Undercroft
• Visit to Castle Croft Sheds
• Tour of Platform
• Chance to interact with volunteers along the way
• Complimentary access into Bury Transport Museum
East Lancashire Railway
Bolton Street Station
Bolton Street
Bury, Greater Manchester, BL9 0EY
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/heritage-open-day/
20 September, 12.00pm – 4.00pm
Sale Town Hall is throwing open it’s doors
Sale Town Hall, one of the areas most notable buildings, designed and built in 1915 by architect Charles Thomas Adshead for Sale Urban District Council. This is a great opportunity to gain a fascinating insight into a landmark civic building and find out more about local history.
Join for a fun day of talks, children’s activities and access to areas usually closed to the public.
Town Hall
1 Waterside Plaza Sale
Manchester, M33 7ZF
https://beta.trafford.gov.uk/events/heritage-open-day-sale-town-hall
20 September 2025, 08:30 – 17:00
Heritage Open Day at Lyme
From rugged moorlands to a historic house set within formal gardens, have a free adventure with the family and discover Lyme’s rich stories across six centuries of history at Lyme.
What’s to see:
• Visit our Regency Dressing Room in the house to step into the shoes of a Jane Austen character.
• Explore the garden and recreate iconic scenes from the filming of the BBC’s 1995 ‘Pride and Prejudice’ series.
• Pick up a map and explore the 1,400 acre estate. See if you can spot any wildlife, from herds of deer to highland cows.
Lyme Park
Disley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 2NR
Tel: 01663 762023
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/lyme/events/
20 September 2025, 11:00 – 11:20, 13:00 – 13:20, 15:00 – 15:20
Heritage in your hands
Little Moreton Hall in a team with the Cheshire Society of Architects offer some unique hands on heritage skill tours, specifically crafted for young People. The expert-led guided tours will give young visitors an insightful introduction into the world of traditional heritage crafts. From timber framing to archaeology, young people will step into the shoes of heritage professionals, learn about their work, and explore the diverse range of career paths that led them to where they are today.
Suitable for ages 9-14, no more then 2 adults per one young person.
Booking required. Keep you tickets with you to show this for your timed tour.
Little Moreton Hall
Newcastle Road,
Congleton,
Cheshire, CW12 4SD
Tel for booking: 0344 2491895
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/little-moreton-hall/events
20, 21 September, 10:30 – 17:00
Quarry Bank Open Days weekend
The working mill is the beating heart of Quarry Bank. Explore one of Britain’s greatest industrial heritage sites.
Quarry Bank
Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4LA
Tel: 01625 527468
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/quarry-bank/events/
21 September 2025, 12:00 – 14:00
250th Manchester St.Mary’s Scout Group
This scout group was formed in 1916 and has a long history of providing fun, friendship and fresh air in the scout hut and garden. The group is holding a Heritage Garden Party to celebrate its history with displays, garden games and refreshments.
Enjoy a wildflower area and allotment, and there is plenty of space for fun and games. Each week during term time, leaders teach social and practical skills to Rainbows, Brownies, Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers. The resources are often made from recycled materials.
Ellen Street
Droylsden
Manchester, M43 7YA
www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/250th-manchester-st-mary-s-scout-group-heritage-garden-party-2025
21 September 11:00-16:00. Presentations: 11:00, 13:00 & 15:00
Stockport Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre
It’s going to be a full day of FREE events and an opportunity for you to investigate behind the scenes of this much loved Art Deco gem as they celebrate over 90 years of serving the community.
Special Plaza Heritage Day presentations are scheduled for 11.00, 13.00 and 15.00, no need to book, simply turn up on the day and experience the very best of yesterday today.
The Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre
Mersey Square, Stockport
Greater Manchester, SK1 1SP
stockportplaza.co.uk/whats-on/heritage-open-day-4/
