More than 5,000 historic buildings and cultural sites across the country will be thrown open to the public in the week ahead as part of England’s largest festival of history and culture. 

Heritage Open Days, from September 8 to 17, will see dozens of venues in our district take part, offering free admittance to anyone curious about their heritage, community and history. 

In Harrogate, the opportunities include a trip up the observation tower on Harlow Hill, a tour of the town’s brown heritage plaques, guided walks around Grove Road cemetery and the 1,000 Commonwealth War Graves at Stonefall Cemetery, as well as heritage tours of Pannal, Ripley, the Valley Gardens and the Duchy Estate. 

In Ripon, the events include separate tours of the city’s canal, railway and industrial heritage, as well as a look behind the scenes at the late-Elizabethan Fountains Hall. 

A little further north, there will be a tour of the neolithic Thornborough Henges, and in Nidderdale, How Stean Gorge, Nidderdale Museum and Pateley Playhouse will also be taking part. 

Details of all these and many other events, including booking information, can be found through the searchable database on the Heritage Open Days website.

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The festival, which runs from Friday, September 8 to Sunday, September 17, is organised by the National Trust, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers. This year’s theme is Creativity Unwrapped. 

Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days’ marketing and projects manager, said:  

“Whether it’s art, music, writing, or another outlet, creativity moves us and shapes our history and culture. This year, organisers have once again come up trumps and created a stellar programme of events which put the spotlight on the people and places who give England’s heritage the X-factor and inspire festival-goers to engage with thousands of years of creativity.”

Churches taking part

Run in conjunction with the Heritage Open Days, Yorkshire Churches Day (YCD) will see hundreds of churches across North Yorkshire welcome visitors on Saturday, September 16. 

Organised by the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT), YCD is a day where the public is encouraged to visit their local place of worship even if they have never set foot inside a church before.  

Among those opening their doors will be St Wilfrid’s, the only Grade I listed building in Harrogate, St Mary Magdalen’s Leper Chapel in Ripon, and St Andrew’s church at Aldborough, a Grade I listed church founded in the 14th century and built on the site of the Roman forum of Isurium. 

The Grade I listed St Andrew’s church at Aldborough was built on the site of the Roman forum of Isurium.

Welcoming the initiative, Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York and president of the YHCT, said: 

“Yorkshire Churches Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our county’s churches. At the heart of nearly every one of our communities is a church. They are there to serve and welcome everyone. However you choose to engage with these wonderful buildings, remember, they are not merely places of heritage and history, but vibrant centres of worship and community serving Yorkshire today.” 

Established in 1994, Heritage Open Days is England’s contribution to the European Heritage Days, an initiative launched in 1991 by the Council of Europe and the European Commission to foster public appreciation of Europe’s cultural assets and raise awareness of the need for their care and protection. They are now held annually in September in 50 signatory states to the European Cultural Convention. 

One of Harrogate’s most historic family businesses is to offer tours during this year’s Heritage Open Days.

The annual open days, which take place from September 8 to 17, give people the chance to visit historic and cultural sites for free.

Harrogate Civic Society, which organises events in and around Harrogate, is finalising its list for 2023 but is already advertising more than 20.

Among the highlights are visits to jewellers and watch-makers Ogden of Harrogate, which has been a feature of James Street since 1893. Visitors have included Winston Churchill, the Roosevelts and King George VI.

Tours hosted by two of the fifth-generation family members will reveal artefacts relating to the business and family history, plus its in-house workshop and the firm’s 1937 replica of the imperial state crown.

Visitors will also learn about James Roberts Ogden’s interest in archaeology and his work with Howard Carter to test and replicate ancient objects found in the 1922 discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb.

The Ripon gazebo

This year’s Heritage Open Days also includes new heritage walks led by experts in Pannal, Ripley and Valley Gardens, along with tours of the belltower at St Wilfrid’s on Duchy Road in Harrogate, Stonefall Cemetery and the Harrogate Club.

Outside Harrogate, there is the chance to explore How Stean Gorge in Nidderdale, stroll in the surroundings of Ripon’s 18th century gazebo and have a backstage tour of Pateley Playhouse.

Events are free but many have to be booked. Further details and a searchable list of events is available here.

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Ripon’s residents, day trippers and tourists, are spoilt for choice when it comes to heritage attractions in the city and surrounding villages that they can visit.

Top of the hundreds of historic buildings and sites in the area is Ripon Cathedral, founded in 672 AD by Wilfrid, the city’s celebrated patron saint.

Ripon and District Light Railway

Within earshot of the iconic building’s quarterly clock chime is a light railway with engines, track and station, that can be found in the canal-side garden of Neill Clayton on Dallamires Lane.

Ripon & District Light Railway – a project developed over 36 years by Mr Clayton and a small group of rail and engineering enthusiasts –  is among 14 locations that can be visited free of charge as part of the Heritage Open Days programme being promoted by Ripon Civic Society  (RCS) in partnership with Ripon Business Improvement District.

Details of the programme, which runs from  September 9 to 18, can be found by clicking here.

Ripon Cathedral will provide central tower tours as part of the programme of Heritage Open Days

The cathedral, dating back 1,350 years and the railway, with its component parts gathered from the Victorian and Edwardian periods, are the oldest and youngest heritage gems in a treasure trail of locations representing different aspects of the religious, social and economic history of the Ripon area.

Included among the locations that will be open to visitors is another church that bears the name of the city’s patron saint.

St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church on Coltsgate Hill, is considered an architectural masterpiece with its Pugin-designed reredos and classic stained glass among many spectacular features in the Grade II* listed building.

The Heritage Open Days at the church will run from 10.30am until 16.30, except for Sunday September 18, when the times will be 11.30 until 16.30.

The Chapel of St Mary Magdalen

Just half a mile away, another religious establishment – the Chapel of the Hospital of St Mary Magdalen, built in the 12th century to care for people suffering from leprosy – enjoys the same Grade I listed status as the cathedral and 82-foot Ripon obelisk.

The stand-out structure on Market Square, features in the open days programme on September 13 when people are invited to gather there at 11am for a guided walk and talk about Ripon’s former industries, led by members of RCS.

Tourism and trains

Among the city’s different industrial sectors, tourism has been a key element of the city’s economy since the 1800s when Fountains Abbey was established as a visitor attraction.

The opening, in 1849, of the Leeds and Thirsk Railway, increased accessibility to the area and in 1902 a scheme was promoted to link Ripon Railway Station on North Road, to the city centre and Fountains Abbey with a narrow gauge electric street tramway.

Mr Clayton, pointed out:

“Sadly, the scheme did not come to fruition because of fears about costs and the disruption that would be caused in laying tracks through medieval streets.”

He added:

“While the plan came to nothing, it provided the inspiration for our venture and we look forward to giving those who come to our open days on September 11 and 12, an insight into what might have been, by showing them a static display.

“Unfortunately, as we are weather-reliant, we can only proceed if it is not raining and we are not allowed to provide rides for members of the public.”

Because of  the size of the site, visitors will be shown around in groups of up to six.

The other locations involved in the Heritage Open Days are: Clifton Castle (near Masham), The Ruin, St James and the Methodist Church (Grewelthorpe). St John’s Parish Church (Sharow) and, in Ripon: the Courthouse and Workhouse museums, The Gazebo, Masonic Hall and Grammar School Library.

People will get a rare opportunity to explore Grove House, the former home of Samson Fox, during next month’s Heritage Open Days.

The historic house, off Skipton Road, is one of 23 heritage sites in Harrogate opening their doors for free from Friday 9 to Sunday 18 September for free open days.

It is part of a national scheme celebrating history and culture that enables people to see places that are often closed to the public.

Sponsored by Harrogate Spring Water and coordinated by the Harrogate Civic Society, this year’s festival includes guided tours, talks and music recitals.

There will be the chance to discover Harrogate’s spa history at the Royal Pump Room Museum, explore the Royal Hall, Harrogate library and The Harrogate Club, join a tour of Harrogate Theatre, climb a tower, or take part in one of four different heritage walks.

Seven religious sites will be open, some with special music recitals or talks, and there are tours at Stonefall Cemetery.  Plus a castle, a well, a heritage centre, and even a council chamber to explore.

The opening of Grove House and its gardens is one of this year’s new features.

Graeme Lee, chief executive at Springfield Healthcare, which owns the house, has plans to transform the site into a new care project.

Mr Lee said:

“We’re delighted to be part of Harrogate’s Heritage Open Days and share the remarkable heritage of Grove House, the former home of Samson Fox, Harrogate’s famous engineering inventor, benefactor, and mayor.

“When I bought the building I knew we had a unique opportunity to restore this beautiful Grade II listed house and grounds into high quality retirement apartments and a luxury care home for the community, whilst safeguarding the property’s rich heritage.

“We’re looking forward to opening our doors to showcase one of Harrogate’s oldest buildings, share stories of its past and the exciting plans for the future.”

‘Most varied programme for years’

Stuart Holland, chair of Harrogate Civic Society, said:

“This year’s Heritage Open Days programme in Harrogate is the most varied and
interesting for some years, with a fascinating mix of the town’s historical, cultural, civic and religious sites to explore.

“The Harrogate Civic Society helps to coordinate participation by local venues in this festival, but all the hard work is done by the volunteers who open the doors, host the tours, and welcome their visitors.  They all deserve our thanks.”

Richard Hall, managing director at Harrogate Spring Water, said:

“At Harrogate Spring Water, we have always been immensely proud to continue Harrogate’s rich legacy.  From the town’s Victorian spa town heritage to its status today as a hub of culture and hospitality, we are delighted to lend our support to the 2022 Harrogate Heritage Open Days.”

Heritage Open Days, which is England’s largest festival of history and culture, is presented by the National Trust with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

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Places that are usually closed to the public are preparing to open their doors for free as part of Heritage Open Days, which starts on Friday and ends on September 19.

About 30 venues in the Harrogate district are among the hundreds taking part in the event, which is coordinated nationally by the National Trust.

In Harrogate, a number of events are being organised by Harrogate Civic Society. Some events require advanced booking, and some are already fully booked.Bookworms can learn about the history of, and resources held, at Harrogate Library in tours on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 September.

The private chapel at Rudding Park will be open to visitors. Image: Rudding Park

On both Sunday September 12 and 19, the newly restored old magnesia well pump room in Valley Gardens will be open to visitors. Elsewhere, the private chapel at Rudding Park will be open for people to admire its spectacular architecture and masonry, on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 September.

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There is an emphasis on outdoor activities, with several local walking tours in the line-up all week – including around Crescent Gardens, Valley Drive, New Park, and central Harrogate.

At Stonefall Cemetery, tours of the 1,000 Commonwealth war graves are taking place throughout the week.

Stonefall Cemetery tours will take place on Saturday 11th, Wednesday 15th, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September.

Elsewhere in the district, on Friday 10 September, there’s the chance to explore the once luxury royal residence of Knaresborough Castle Keep, including the king’s chamber and dungeon.

Free entry will also be available for visitors to the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site on Saturday 18 September.

In Ripon, options to explore include St Wilfrid’s church, the Chapel of St Mary Magdalen, and the Ripon & District Light Railway.

Sarah Holloway, programme manager for Heritage Open Days, said:

“We’re all interested in where we live but we don’t necessarily know the stories behind the buildings and spaces we walk past each day. Our event organisers keep finding creative ways to tell these tales and keep them alive.”

The Harrogate district’s historical buildings, churches and graveyards will open to the public for free again in September as part of a national scheme to encourage people to explore history on their doorstep.

Heritage Open Days, which is billed as England’s largest festival of history and culture, will run from September 10 to 19.

Harrogate Civic Society and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which maintains Stonefall cemetery, are among those leading the initiative locally.

The civic society has arranged for numerous churches and other landmarks to open for free guided tours. The Gothic revival chapel at Rudding Park, built in 1874, will be included for the first time.

Another new feature this year will be walking tours around places such as Valley Drive and the civic centre. The civic society has organised these in case covid restrictions are in place.

Free guided tours of the Commonwealth War Graves at Stonefall cemetery will also be available.

The civic society will release the full Heritage Open Days programme in the weeks ahead.

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Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture, begins today – but events are thin on the ground in the Harrogate area.

Most events have been cancelled due to coronavirus although an additional virtual programme has been added to the schedule, allowing people to go behind the scenes at cultural sites across England.

The only physical event scheduled for Harrogate is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission walk and talk at Stonefall Cemetery, which is limited to six tours of five people over two days and is currently fully booked.

Nearly 1,000 airmen who died in the Second World War are buried at the cemetery. More than two-thirds are Canadian.

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The neo-Norman church of St Mary’s in Roecliffe, which has a Jacobean pulpit, is opening its doors to visitors on all 10 days of the open days, which end on September 20.

St Martin’s Church in Knaresborough is also welcoming visitors, as is the church of Christ the Consoler at Skelton-cum-Newby at Newby Hall, near Ripon.

Heritage Open Days, which is being held for the 25th year, has adopted a hidden nature theme in 2020. It is coordinated by the National Trust.

To search for events, click here.