Delve into Yorkshire's fascinating history this month with Heritage Open Days.
England's biggest volunteer-led celebration of history and culture returns from September 11 to 20.
It's a chance to see hidden places and try new experiences - all for free. The theme for this year is 'Everyday Histories' - an exploration of daily working life through the ages.
Here's a look at just some of the many events happening in Yorkshire - for the full programme and booking details, visit heritageopendays.org.uk
West Yorkshire
The Brontë Birthplace Heritage Walking Tour
September 19, 11am. Pre-booking preferred.
Thornton, Bradford
Discover the birthplace of Brontë siblings, the Brontë Bell Chapel ruins, Thornton Viaduct, South Square, and hidden ginnels. Led by a local historian, the tour lasts two hours and ends at the Birthplace for refreshments.
The Brontë Birthplace in Thornton earned the honour in a Travellers’ Choice Award 2026 from TripAdvisor, based on visitor reviews from the past year (Image: Matt Gibbons)
City Varieties Music Hall Tour
September 13, 10am and 2pm. Pre-booking preferred.
Leeds
Step inside City Varieties Music Hall to uncover the rich history of one of Leeds's most iconic cultural landmarks. Guided by an expert team, this is a chance to explore the UK's oldest surviving music hall.
Climb Wainhouse Tower
September 12 and 13. 10am to 4pm. Pre-booking preferred.
Halifax
Wainhouse Tower is a 253ft Victorian observatory chimney offering panoramic views of the local area. Loved by residents, the circumstances of its construction mean some refer to it as the Tower of Spite...
Wakefield Cathedral Tower Tour
Wakefield Cathedral (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
September 12, tours at 11am, 12pm, and 1pm. Pre-booking required.
Wakefield
Climb the 170 steps up Wakefield Cathedral tower for magnificent views of the city and surrounding countryside. The cathedral has the tallest spire in Yorkshire, rising another 94 metres from the top of the tower. Visitors will also get the chance to see the cathedral's 14 bells.
North Yorkshire
Catacomb tours and guided walks
September 13, 10am to 3pm. Pre-booking required.
York Cemetery
Head underground for a peek at the rarely opened catacombs under the chapel at York Cemetery, then enjoy a short talk and fascinating walk around the cemetery with an expert guide.
Valley Gardens Guided Walk: Wells, History and Horticulture
Valley Gardens, Harrogate (Image: Getty/Paul Maguire)
September 13, 2pm, and September 19, 10am. Pre-booking required.
Harrogate
A walk through the Grade II-listed park, which is home to 36 medicinal wells, specialist gardens and magnificent trees. Hosted by RHS-qualified and Valley Gardens author Jane Blayney, and Simon Collier, former head gardener at Valley Gardens.
Saint Aelred's Pilgrim Trail Gathering Walk: Walking the Everyday Histories of Saint Aelred
A beautiful 10-mile walk through scenic hills and dales of the North York Moors, celebrating the ordinary lives, community traditions, and hidden stories that shaped the area's villages and landscapes.
September 12, 9am
The walk starts at the Church of All Saints, Hawnby, Church Lane, Hawnby, Helmsley
400 Sandcastles for Scarborough 400
South Bay Beach, Scarborough, 11am to 1pm
Looking back to the bygone days of seaside heritage and celebrating Scarborough 400 (the 400th anniversary of the discovery of spa water in the town), a sandcastle-building competition will be held at Scarborough's South Bay. The aim is to achieve 400 sandcastles in two hours.
South Yorkshire
Kelham Island Walking Tour
September 15, 6pm. Pre-booking required
Sheffield
This guided walk brings to life one of Sheffield’s first industrial districts. You’ll discover its buildings, stories about its history, the successes and the tragedies of the people who made it what it is, and an insight into the place today.
Barnsley Town Centre Heritage Walk
September 17, 10am and 2pm. Booking is essential
Barnsley Town Hall
Barnsley Civic Trust has put together a tour of Barnsley town centre which takes in some of the town's oldest buildings and features. The guided tour also includes admission to the NUM Miners' Hall.
Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
Doncaster
Free entry to Potteric Carr Nature Reserve for the weekend of September 19 and 20 (usually £6 per adult). Known as Doncaster's 'green oasis', it is a haven for wildlife and just 10 minutes from Doncaster city centre.
Bawtry Hall and Gardens Open Day
September 15, 11am-3pm
Bawtry, Doncaster
A chance to look around this Grade II-listed building and its extensive gardens. The building is now used as a wedding and function venue, but is opening especially for Heritage Open Days this year.
East Yorkshire
The Chalk Tower
September 13 and 20, 2pm-4pm
Flamborough Head
The oldest lighthouse on Flamborough Head, built in 1674, bankrupted its builder. However, it has served as a watch point and telegraph tower and is still used as a marker by fishermen today. Please note: only the ground floor is open to visitors.
Spurn Heritage Walking Tour
September 20, 11am-12.30pm. Pre-booking required
Spurn Point, East Yorkshire (Image: Getty/Phil MacDonald)
Spurn Discovery Centre, Spurn Road, Kilnsea, Hull
Discover the birth of Spurn 10,000 years ago, its role in the Viking invasion, stories of lighthouses, lifeboats and pubs down at the Point, how Victorian tourists flocked to Spurn in huge numbers, and the challenges of caring for Spurn and its wildlife in the modern day.
Laurel Vines
Aike, Driffield
Want to find out how award-winning wines are made in Yorkshire? Visit Laurel Vines' open weekend on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13. There'll be free tours of the vineyard and winery at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
The Charterhouse Hull
September 19 and 20, 11am-4pm
Hull
The Charterhouse Hull was founded in 1384 and continues as an almshouse for the people of Hull to this day. Its period Georgian buildings, beautiful chapel and gardens are not open to the public except on rare occasions - take a peek during Heritage Open Days. From 1pm until 4pm on both days, Hull Regency Dancers will be performing in the chapel.
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