Every year in September, places across the country throw open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it's all FREE. In 2026 Heritage Open Days returned with a 10-day festival from Friday 11th to Sunday 20th September. The national theme was 'Everyday Histories'.
Thirty-one separate events covered all 10 days of the festival, which was a great success. In all, we calculated 3,344 visits, including 1,772 to Everyday Histories-themed events and 948 visits to bottle oven sites.
Many thanks to members of the Heritage Network for Stoke-on-Trent for all their hard work organising events. (Photographs by Andy Perkin unless otherwise stated)
 Heritage Network members and supporters at the HODs launch at Etruria Industrial Museum (4 Sep 2026)
[Photo: Pete Stonier] |
 All set for visitors to 'Fenton Friday'
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 After Exploring William Baker's Fenton, the group arrives Inside the Church of Fenton with Geoff and Lyn.
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 Inês Jorge introduces Exploring Fenton's Monuments and Stories.
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 Exploring Fenton's Monuments and Stories reaches the Glebedale Memorial. Anyone for a picnic? |
 The huge timeline illustrating the histories of the James Kent and Baker families, part of Salt, Pepper and Vinegar Bottle Ovens.
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 Inside Stoke Minster.
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 Volunteers and visitors at Bethesda Chapel. |
 PHS Chair, Lynn Bentley, showing visitors the display at Bethesda.
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 Walkers assemble at the Lychgate for Lost & Found: Josiah Clowes and the Norton Colliery Canal
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 Lost & Found walkers arrive at Engine Lock on the Caldon Canal |
 Walkers trace the route of the former Norton Colliery Canal at Milton as part of Lost & Found.
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 Introducing In the Footsteps of Palaeontologist Jahn Ward at Longton Station.
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 In the Footsteps of Palaeontologist Jahn Ward reaches the site of Ward's Drapers' Shop in The Strand. |
 One the fossil samples shown by Rob Gagliano during In the Footsteps of Palaeontologist Jahn Ward. |
 Oliver's Mill dressed for Heritage Open Days.
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 Cath Ralph welcomes visitors to Oliver's Mill. |
 Visitors take a peek inside the calcining kilns at Oliver's Mill.
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 Phil Rowley introduces the Everyday Lives of Potteries People at the Dipping House
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 Lord Mayor, June Bell, being shown around the pan room during Etruria Industrial Museum's Victorian Potters' Mill in Steam
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 Lord Mayor, June Bell, being shown around the gear room at Shirley's Bone and Flint Mill
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Return to this page for news of the Heritage Open Days Festival 2027 which runs from Friday 10th to Sunday 19th September |
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Heritage Network members can find further local and national feedback and analysis on the HODs Support page
