Heritage Open Days is England’s largest community led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history.
This year, many incredible venues across London Heritage Quarter are opening their doors to the public for FREE.
The Guards Museum
The Guards Museum is bringing history out from its cases and into your hands in a weekend you won’t want to miss!
Highlights of your weekend will include live music from Lancashire Belle, a trip to the historic re-enactors camp, free expert talks, and the chance to immerse yourself in heritage – whether its handling objects from the collection, or stepping into the King’s Guard iconic uniforms yourself.
For the animal lovers, there will be the chance to Hawk and Learn with Jess the Hawk, and even meet and greet with the Irish Guards mascot – Irish Wolfhound Seamus and Drummer Aldridge.
This year’s theme is architecture, and we are lucky to be surrounded by some of London’s best. Just next door is Wellington Barracks, designed in the 1800s to give the Guards’ quick access to Buckingham Palace in an emergency. It is here that the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony begins. On the other side is the Guards’ Chapel, destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt in the legacy of this tragedy. Each building has a story to tell, from its makers, menders, and protectors.
Come along to explore and discover across 380 years of history in this weekend of free family fun.
Timings
- 10:30am-4pm on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September
- Hawk and Learn with Jess the Hawk: Saturday 13 September, 11am-1pm
To find out more and book your space, visit the museum website: www.theguardsmuseum.com
Two Temple Place
Two Temple Place are delighted to be open for Heritage Open Days 2025.
Commissioned and built for William Waldorf Astor in the 1890s, Two Temple Place is an extraordinary feat of architecture and craftsmanship. During the opening, the venue’s friendly volunteer gallery stewards will be on hand to answer any questions and tell you about the building’s craftsmanship & history!
Their interactive family trails will also be available to help younger visitors explore the stories and find the characters carved into the building’s walls. There will be an Art Cart with self-led crafts, drawing, and colouring, for visitors of all ages.
No booking required!
Timings
- Sunday 14 September: 10am-4:30pm
- Sunday 21 September: 10am-4:30pm
Contact info@twotempleplace.org for more information.
Methodist Central Hall
Methodist Central Hall has been part of London’s skyline since 1912 and has a unique position directly opposite Westminster Abbey, as a multi-purpose venue, serving primarily as a Methodist church and a conference centre.
The venue will be open to visitors – no need to book in advance. There will be an organ recital at 3pm on the Hall’s magnificent organ (with over 4,700 pipes), one of the best in London. Individuals will have an opportunity to climb a 160-step spiral staircase to the viewing area at the top of the dome, for its unrivalled views of London and beyond.
Timings
- Sunday 21 September: 1:30pm-5:00pm
The Royal Society of Arts (The RSA)
The RSA invites you to join them in their stunning Georgian townhouse, a venue filled with unique architecture, for in-depth talks and panels led by RSA Fellows, venue tours, artist talks and demonstrations.
An architectural gem designed as part of the Adelphi complex, the RSA House boasts incredible historical rooms and murals, including some of the iconic Adam features, fireplaces and staircases. The RSA has a wealth of history and anecdotes, having welcomed, as part of its Society, fellows such as Charles Dickens, Karl Marx and Benjamin Franklin. Come and enjoy our Coffee House and Muse Bar.
Timings
- Sunday 14 September: 11am-4pm
Schedule
- 11am-12pm House Tour: Join us on a free house tour going through the history of RSA House and its unique architecture.
- 11am-1pm Art Demonstration by Helena Traill FRSA: Drop-in to see artist Helena Traill as she paints and creates new work on the day.
- 11am-1:30pm Art Time – Arts & Craft Activity with Art Breath: Draw, stencil, colour in or write on a collective art fabric piece in this all-ages and all-abilities craft activity.
- 11:45am-1:30pm Artist Talk and Demonstration: Carole Bury FRSA: Meet artist Carole Bury as she talks through her artistic journey and does a demonstration of her famous Princess Pleater.
- 12-1pm House Tour
- 1-2pm House Tour
- 1-2pm & 2:30-3:30pm RSA Architecture & Urban Planning Panel: Making Healthy Places for People: Listen to an architecture & focused panel discussion and presentation led by RSA Fellows.
- 2-3pm House Tour
- 2-2:30pm What Happens When Artists Collaborate? Conversation with JC Candanedo FRSA, Max Gershon and Andrew Etherington: Join multidisciplinary artists and creatives as they discuss the power of collaboration in contemporary art.
- 2:30-3:45pm RSA Space Panel: Making Earth Thrive from Space: Listen to a panel discussion and presentation led by RSA Fellows.
- 3-4pm House Tour
- 3-3:30pm Artist Talk – Liliana Dobbs: Abstract artist Liliana Dobbs discusses her artistic practice and inspiration, in conjunction with her current exhibition in the Muse Bar.
Visit www.thersa.org for more information.
St Clement Danes Church & Crypt
St Clement Danes is the central church of the Royal Air Force. Explore the church’s thousand-year history and the fascinating artifacts connected with the RAF. For Heritage Open Days, the church’s historic crypt will be open to the public.
Malachy Frame (baritone) and Charlie Newsome-Hubbard (piano) will perform a recital of 19th century German Lieder, featuring one of Schumann’s seminal song cycles, Liederkreis Op.39. Belfast-born Malachy Frame is a ‘Rising Star of the Enlightenment’ with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment for 2023-25. He is an award-winning concert and operatic soloist, performing frequently with renowned period ensembles and opera companies.
This short recital is free to attend, with a suggested donation of £10. Wednesday 17 September 1-2pm Joseph Hancock and Amy Bach, Tenor and Piano duo Schumann’s Liederkreis op. 39 and others.
Timings
- Friday 12 September: 10am-12pm & 1-4pm
- Saturday 13 September: 10am-3pm
- Sunday 14 September: 1-3pm
- Wednesday 17 September: 10am-12pm & 1-4pm
- Thursday 18 September: 10am-12pm & 1-4pm
- Friday 19 September: 10am-12pm & 1-4pm
- Sunday 14 September: 1:30-2:30pm
Contact info@stclementdanesraf.org for more information.
The Lyceum Theatre
Get the chance to explore the historic Lyceum Theatre on a guided tour! The building has hosted a variety of entertainment, including the first London Exhibition of waxworks by Madame Tussauds, served as the English Opera House, and hosted many musical acts such as Bob Marley and The Clash.
After a fire, the house was rebuilt and reopened on 14 July 1834 to a design by Samuel Beazley, built in partnership with Peto and Gissell. From 1871 to 1902, Henry Irving performed at the theatre in several acts, especially in Shakespeare productions, usually starring opposite Ellen Terry. In 1904, the theatre was almost completely rebuilt and richly ornamented in Rococo style by Bertie Crewe. During your visit, you will be able to view these beautiful interiors of the venue with one of our expert guides, along with some of our multi-functional spaces for hire.
Timings
- Monday 15 September. Tour timings are: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm
Booking will be required in advance.
Contact kylewalke@atgentertainment.com for more information.
Benjamin Franklin House
Visitors are invited to a drop-in open day at Benjamin Franklin House, the world’s only surviving residence of the renowned Founding Father. The event offers a chance to explore the building’s distinctive architectural features and layered history, including Benjamin Franklin’s long stay from 1757 to 1775, the intriguing story of the Hewson anatomy school, and the extensive conservation project that saved the house from dereliction.
No Prebooking required! Find out more.
Timings
- Saturday 13 September: 11am- 5pm
- Sunday 14 September: 11am- 5pm
- Saturday 20 September: 11am- 5pm
- Sunday 21 September: 11am- 5pm
The College of Optometrists
Visitors are invited to a special Open Day at the UK’s historic professional body for optometry, offering a rare weekend opportunity to explore its remarkable headquarters two adjoining Georgian townhouses dating from the 1730s. This event marks the first public viewing of the fully refurbished British Optical Association Museum, home to an extraordinary collection of objects and images relating to vision aids, sight testing, and eye care. As a qualifying association for ophthalmic opticians, examining body, learned society, and Royal Charter charity, the organisation offers this Heritage Open Day free of charge, with expert volunteers on hand to share the stories behind the sights.
Timings
- Sunday 14 September: 12pm-5pm
The History of the East India Company – Westminster Walking Tour
Visitors are invited to join the second chapter of the East India Company Walk, a guided journey through Westminster that explores the company’s dramatic transformation from merchant traders to a powerful territorial force that reshaped Britain’s global standing. This walk uncovers how the East India Company evolved into a military and political powerhouse, acquiring vast territories and wealth, and playing a pivotal role in events leading to American independence, including the Boston Tea Party. Walking the historic streets of Westminster, attendees will uncover how a private trading enterprise helped forge and fracture empires.
Prebooking required! Contact contact@hiddentudorstours.co.uk for more information or visit their website.
Timings
- Thursday 18 September: Starting from 11am
St Peter’s Church
This guided visit explores how one neighbourhood church has continually adapted over more than 200 years to reflect the changing needs, values, and aesthetics of its community. Originally built as a “Waterloo Church” in the early 19th century, its sober Georgian architecture later gave way to the influence of the Anglo-Catholic movement, introducing rich decoration, mosaics, and colour. Surviving wartime use and damage, the church evolved again into a modern community space, while still housed within its Georgian and Victorian fabric. Today, it continues to adapt to 21st-century needs remaining the same in spirit, even as it transforms in form. This is the story of continuity through change, where history, architecture, and community use intersect.
No Prebooking required! Find out more.
Timings
- Friday 19 September: 1:30pm-5pm
- Saturday 20 September: 11pm-5:30pm