Heritage Open Days 2023

31st August 2023

Reading’s historic buildings open their doors as part of England’s heritage celebration

From 8-17 September, Reading will be celebrating over 900 years of history with more than 30 free events as part of Heritage Open Days.

Heritage Open Days is a national celebration of history with free events all over the country. In Reading, there will be a programme of guided walks, talks, open days, arts and craft activities, music and even dressing up across the 10 days of the festival.

Heritage Open Days offers the chance to visit buildings of historic importance that are often not open at other times of the year, as well take part in special events at local museums and historic locations. This year, many of these events will focus on creativity including exhibitions at The Turbine House and historic Quaker Meeting House and paper sculpture making in one of Reading’s oldest houses.

Some of Reading’s best-known landmarks will be taking part in very different ways; The Hexagon is putting on an h-exhibition celebrating 45 years of Reading’s best-known cultural venue while dressing up will be the order of the day at Reading Old Cemetery at Cemetery Junction as the lives of some of its ‘permanent’ residents are brought to life and one of Reading’s oldest buildings, Watlington House, will be running tours and talks..

Alex Brannen, Reading co-ordinator for Heritage Open Days, said: “This time of year reminds us what a rich history Reading has. Our thanks go to the many people who are putting on these amazing free events as part of the festival. If you are curious about what lies inside historic Reading buildings or just want to learn more about our heritage, then Heritage Open Days is for you.”

All Heritage Open Days events are free. REDA, Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency, has produced a printed programme of the events taking place in and around Reading, which will be available from libraries. All the events are also be listed on whatsonreading.com.  A number of the events have limited capacity so must be booked in advance. Check heritageopendays.org for full accessibility information.   

The programme is available online.