District's hidden heritage treasures to open to the public in September

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England’s largest festival of history and culture will begin next month, when hundreds of venues across the country will throw open their doors and invite the public to see some of their lesser known treasures.

Heritage Open Days will see dozens of attractions across our district, ranging from guided tours of medieval churches to heritage walks around parks and villages.

In Knaresborough on September 16, visitors can explore a secret tunnel, which was used for sneaking in and out of the castle.

In Harrogate, an exhibition at West Park United Reformed Church will spotlight the work of Leeds-born Claude Verity, who was one of the pioneers of film with a soundtrack.

And in Ripon, visitors can take a hard-hat tour inside Ripon Spa Baths, the city’s Edwardian gem currently under restoration.

As part of the celebration, Ripon Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a brochure detailing the city’s programme of events, which is available online.

A full list of the 20-plus venues and events avilable in Harrogate and beyond can be downloaded from the Harrogate Civic Society here.

In a new addition for 2025, Ripon BID will also premiere three new drone videos during the festival. These stunning aerial films showcase Ripon’s iconic landmarks and landscapes, offering a fresh perspective on the city’s heritage.

Lilla Bathurst, manager at Ripon BID, said:

Heritage Open Days is a national initiative coordinated by the National Trust with support from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Events run between September 12 and 21. 

To find out the events and opportunities in our area, see the Heritage Open Days website.