The annual Heritage Open Days event is a chance to go behind-the-scenes at some of the Cotswolds’ most interesting historic buildings. This celebration of local heritage lets you explore some venues which aren’t normally open to the public and saves you money with free entry to others.
This year’s Heritage Open Days takes place between 12 and 21 September 2025, with over 5000 events running across the country. A range of churches, priories, country houses, schools, factories, mills and gardens are taking part. There’s a mix of guided tours, walks, talks, workshops and special events – as well as free entry to several National Trust and English Heritage sites.
The event is now in its 31st year and is still going strong. Each year there’s a different theme – 2025’s is ‘Architecture’, looking at how we’ve designed and built the world around us.
So if you are planning on visiting Heritage Open Days in the Cotswolds this year, here’s our pick of 18 of the best events taking place – you can find the full list on the Heritage Open Days website. Many you can just turn up to, but some of the tours do need to be booked in advance.
Heritage Open Days in the Cotswolds 2025
Hidcote Manor Garden
The Arts and Crafts style gardens at Hidcote near Chipping Campden were created by horticulturalist Major Lawrence Johnston in the 1910s and are now run by the National Trust. They use plants collected on his travels around the world, organised into outdoor rooms with different themes. You can join a garden talk or see their new Sculpture Exhibition with 200 artworks.
Free entry on Saturday 20 September 10am–4pm (normally £19) | Find out more
Chastleton House and Gardens
Jacobean mansion Chastleton House near Moreton-in-Marsh was built in the early 17th century – and it’s hardly changed since. Inside this 400-year-old time capsule you can see antique textiles and artworks, family portraits and rare Jacobite glass. There are also walled gardens to explore, a wilderness walk, and the croquet lawn where the rules of the game were invented.
Free entry on Sunday 21 September 1pm–4pm (normally £14) | Find out more
SULA Lightship
Climb on board an original light ship – a floating lighthouse – in Gloucester Docks. The SULA Lightship was launched in 1959 and protected mariners on the Humber Estuary for the next 26 years. Since being decommissioned, she’s been turned into a luxurious floating self-catering apartment sleeping four. Small group tours for up for eight people let you look inside.
Tours on Friday 12–Sunday 14 September (pre-booking required) | Find out more
Cheltenham Ladies’ College
Cheltenham Ladies’ College is one of the UK’s most prestigious girls’ schools, founded in 1853 and run by suffragist educator Dorothea Beale for over 50 years. Its main buildings are located on the site of the original Cheltenham Spa, and were influenced by Arts and Crafts design.
Tours on Saturday 13 September at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm (pre-booking required) | Find out more
Woodchester Mansion
Woodchester Mansion near Stroud was built in Gothic Revival style in the 1860s, surrounded by parkland. But although it looks finished from the outside, it’s only a shell inside after being abandoned partway through construction, with builders downing tools and leaving it unfinished in 1870. You can look around the spooky ruins – and watch out for the resident horseshoe bats.
Free entry on Saturday 20 September 11am–5pm (normally £11), with guided tours at 11.45am and 2.30pm | Find out more
Newark Park
Originally built as a Tudor hunting lodge, National Trust site Newark Park was rescued and restored by a Texan architect in the 1970s and 80s after falling into disrepair. It’s built on the edge of the Cotswold Escarpment near Wotton-under-Edge, with lovely views from the gardens, which are set over three levels. And inside there’s a collection of period furniture and modern art.
Free entry on Saturday 13 September 10am–5pm (normally £14) | Find out more
Royal Agricultural University
Cirencester’s Royal Agricultural University was founded in 1845, and many of the original buildings are still in use, including the Bathurst Wing, University Chapel and Tithe Barn (which is now the student bar). You can taken a look around its historic buildings, quads and grounds, as well as joining special guided tours and talks. Refreshments are also available in the café.
Open Saturday 13 September 11am–4pm | Find out more
Kelmscott Manor
Kelmscott Manor was once the country retreat of William Morris, who described it as ‘heaven on Earth’. Inside the 17th-century manor house you can see furniture, tapestries, artworks and ceramics collected by Morris and his family. There are also beautiful gardens to explore, and special creative demonstrations taking place for Heritage Open Days, including lace and rag rug making.
Free entry on Saturday 13 September 10.30am–5pm (normally £15.50) | Find out more
St Andrew’s Church, Castle Combe
St Andrew’s Church in Castle Combe was built in the 13th century and has a medieval faceless clock that’s thought to be one of the oldest in the country. This year’s event focuses on the church tower, which was built in in the 1400s. Local volunteers will be on hand to answer questions, and you can pick up a quiz about the church towers around the Bybrook Benefice to fill in.
Open Friday 12 and Saturday 13 September 11am–4pm | Find out more
Tetbury Market House
Heritage Open Days is a chance to see inside Tetbury’s Market House, which was built by the Tetbury Feoffees in 1655 – a group of local residents who took over running the town – and was used to sell wool and yarn, before later being used as a lock up and to store the town’s fire engine. As part of the event you can visit the Feoffee meeting room, which isn’t normally open to the public.
Open Saturday 13 September 10am–4pm | Find out more
Upton House and Gardens
The National Trust’s Upton House near Banbury houses an impressive collection of paintings and porcelain, and is surrounded by gardens which were created by Kitty Lloyd Jones – one of the first female garden designers – in the 1930s. As part of Heritage Open Days you can attend a free short talk to learn about the house and gardens, which take place every 45 minutes.
Free entry on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September 11am–3.30pm (normally £17) | Find out more
North Leigh Roman Villa
North Leigh Roman Villa in the Evenlode Valley near Witney was once one of the country’s largest Roman villas. It had three bath suites, 11 rooms with underfloor heating and 16 mosaics, and you can see an impressive example of a mosaic from the early 4th century on display.
Open Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September 11am–5pm | Find out more
Horton Court
Grade I-listed manor house Horton Court near Chipping Sodbury is run by the National Trust, but normally the only way you can visit is by renting it as a holiday cottage. Its history stretches back to the Norman Conquest, with different owners over the years each leaving their mark.
Open Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September 10am–4pm | Find out more
Dyrham Park
Grand National Trust site Dyrham Park near Bath was built for diplomat William Blathwayt in the 17th century. Inside are his collections of art and Dutch Delftware, and the lavish interiors which have made it a popular film location. There are also formal gardens, orchards and terraces, as well as 270 acres of ancient parkland with self-guided walking routes and views as far as Wales.
Free entry on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 September 10am–5pm (normally £21) | Find out more
Roman Baths Local History Store
Discover Bath & North East Somerset Council’s collection of local history objects in this storeroom, which isn’t normally open to the public. It houses everything from quirky Victorian spa equipment to Georgian and Victorian furniture from the Pump Rooms, Guildhall and Assembly Rooms.
Open Thursday 18 September 10am–3pm, with guided tours at 10am, 12pm and 2pm (pre-booking required) | Find out more
Bath American Museum & Gardens
Set just outside the centre of Bath with views across the Cotswolds, you can visit the Bath American Museum’s 125 acres of Grade-II listed landscaped gardens for free as part of Heritage Open Days. There’s also an arboretum, children’s garden and deli. Or for an extra fee you can add on a visit to the museum itself, with recreated rooms from different periods of American history.
Free entry to the gardens on Sunday 14 September 10am–5pm | Find out more
The Mayor’s Parlour, Bath
Discover treasures from Bath’s 800 years of history by going behind the scenes at the Mayor of Bath’s Parlour at the Guildhall. Among the items on display are the city’s Royal Charters, ceremonial maces, sword and robes used by past mayors, and a collection of fine gold and silverware.
Open Monday 15–Friday 19 September 11am–4pm | Find out more
Bradford on Avon Town Bridge Lock Up
The Town Bridge is one of Bradford on Avon‘s most famous landmarks, with the oldest parts dating to the 13th century. Halfway across along the bridge is a tiny chapel, once used as a lock up where local undesirables were held before they went before a magistrate. It’s not normally open to the public, but you can take a look inside at its medieval stonework during Heritage Open Days.
Open Friday 12–Sunday 14 September 10am–4pm | Find out more
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