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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. This year Heritage Open Days returns with a 10-day festival taking place from Friday 12th to Sunday 21st September. You can have free access to events and properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission or choose one of the many events that place especially for the festival.

Colour Key

Here in Stoke-on-Trent, there will be the the usual chance to discover fantastic architecture and enjoy a wide range of events and activities that bring local history and culture to life. This year the national theme is ‘Architecture’, providing an opportunity to highlight our distinctive heritage buildings and our iconic Bottle Ovens! In this special anniversary year for Stoke-on-Trent, there are lots of new events designed to celebrate the City's Centenary. These events have been supported by the Heritage Fund and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The programme is co-ordinated nationally, by the National Trust and with support from players of the People's Postcard Lottery, and locally by The Heritage Network for Stoke-on-Trent, bringing together local hosts and heritage enthusiasts.

As events are still being developed, this page will be a work in progress until registration closes on 8th August. See our "At a Glance" guide below.

Colours indicate general location: Pink=Tunstall; Orange=Burslem; Yellow=Hanley & Etruria; Green=Stoke & Hartshill; Blue=Fenton; Purple=Longton & Trentham; Dark Grey=Multiple Locations; Grey=our friends just outside the city.
Themes:  A=Architecture    B=Bottle Ovens    C=City Centenary   P=Pre-booking required
  

The Festival - At a Glance

Click on the event titles for more information and booking. Clicking on the HODs logo on the bottom right of the event pages takes you further information and maps on the HODs site.
 
Fri 12
Sep
       
Sat 13
Sep
 
 
1000-1400
 
 
1100-1600  A
1200-1400
 
 
 
 
Sun 14 Sep
1000-1600  P
1100-1530
 
1400-1630  A  P
 
Mon 15
Sep
 
 
     
Tue 16
Sep
 
 
     
Wed 17 Sep
 
       
Thu 18
Sep
       
Fri 19
Sep
1300-1600   B
   
 
 
   
Sat 20
Sep
   
1200-1400
1000-1600  P
       
Sun 21
Sep
1000-1600  P
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anytime during the festival

Bottle Oven Facts
(QR codes at 29 sites)
A  B  C

       

Alternatively, check out:

The HODS Diary

for Stoke-on-Trent

 or 

The HODs Events Directory

for Stoke-on-Trent

or  The Full HODs Directory

for the whole of England

 


During Stoke-on-Trent's Centenary Year, the Heritage Network is co-ordinating Heritage Open Days in Stoke-on-Trent with support from the City Council and funding from the Heritage Fund. Thanks to players of the National Lottery.