Heritage Open Days returns 11-20 September 2026
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. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.
National Historic Ships UK has compiled a list of the historic vessels and Shipshape Network projects taking part in this year's festival. Click the links below for full details.
EAST
Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour - series of talks, raising the hoist and guided tours onboard Historic Steam Tug Brent (Maldon, Essex)
Two talks on hidden histories of the heritage harbour, Activities for young people on the quayside and Join a local sailor on the quay and learn how to hoist a sail. Guided tours on board Steam Tug Brent at 11.30am, 2pm and discover the working life of this historic vessel.
Dates: Saturday 12th September & Sunday 13th September
Steam Tug Brent - 'Working Life' (Maldon, Essex)
Step aboard the historic Steam Tug Brent for an exclusive, intimate glimpse into her "Working Life" and a rare opportunity to explore a 1945-built vessel, one of the few remaining steam tugs of her kind. To ensure an engaging and safe experience, we are offering two guided tours per day, designed to bring the vessel’s past to life. Your guide is not just experienced but actually lived aboard the vessel, offering unique, first-hand stories and an unparalleled perspective on operating a steam tug in the mid-20th century. All tours MUST be booked in advance via Eventbrite.
Dates: Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September
Ipswich Maritime Trust - festivities in the Heritage Harbour (Ipswich, Suffolk)
Join us for a weekend of maritime events in Ipswich's Heritage Harbour. Explore a sailing barge or two. Talk to the crew. Take part in a maritime-themed workshop. Admire our amazing black and white photos (some of the oldest in the world). We'll be exhibiting our astonishing collection of marine artefacts and teaming up with local maritime organisations to demonstrate traditional trades. Have a go! Entry to all vessels and activities is free.
Dates: Saturday 12th 7 Sunday 13th September
The Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum (Southwold, Suffolk)
Visit the National Historic Fleet lifeboat Alfred Corry, the last rowing/sailing lifeboat on the East Coast built in 1893 and operational for 25 years. The museum also has a new display of old photographs and films of the large fishing community of over 200 fishermen working and living on Southwold beach.
Dates: Daily, Friday 11th - Friday 18th September
Hunter's Yard Open Day (Ludham, Norfolk)
Hunter's Yard dates back to the 1930s and is much the same today as it was then. Now a charity, It is home to the Hunter's Fleet of 14 classic Broads yachts, built in the 1930s. It also has eight half-deckers - the earliest of which was built in the 1920s. Tour the boat yard, see the boats out sailing and have a taster sail yourself. You are welcome to picnic on the lawns overlooking the river and there will be refreshments and games. Make a day of it and visit the National Historic Fleet wherry Albion which is also open that day and is just next door.
Dates: Saturday 12th September
Norfolk Wherry Trust - Wherry Albion (Ludham, Norfolk)
An opportunity to visit the Norfolk Wherry Trust boatyard, home of Albion, a 128 year old 'black-sailed' trading wherry. Experienced volunteers will show you around Wherry Albion and Forsythe's Boatyard, sharing the history and personal stories of this 128-year-old trading vessel. Albion was once one of over 300 vessels ferrying goods and services from the port of Lowestoft as far upriver as Norwich. It remains only one of two trading wherries still sailing today and welcoming visitors for day trips and charters from May to September. Come and meet some of our volunteers and share their passion for this beautiful, and significant part of, the Norfolk Broads history.
Dates: Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September
Museum of the Broads (Stalham, Norfolk)
Join us for free day out at Museum of the Broads as part of Heritage Open Days. Discover the unique history of the Norfolk Broads through engaging exhibits, restored traditional boats, and interactive displays that bring the region’s past to life. Learn how the Broads have been used for food, transport and leisure, and see a remarkable range of boats, tools and artefacts - many of them unique. Friendly volunteers are on hand to share stories and insights, making this an ideal visit for families, history enthusiasts and curious visitors alike. We also have a special treat for you - Norfolk Wherry Maud and her Pop-Up Museum will be visiting the museum for the Heritage Open Days. It's a unique opportunity to see a traditional Norfolk trading Wherry and learn about its history.
Dates: Sunday 13th Sepember
Maud - Restored Norfolk Trading Wherry & Pop-Up Wherry Museum (Stalham, Norfolk)
Built on the banks of the River Yare at Reedham in 1899, National Historic Fleet Wherry Maud had a hard life as a general cargo-carrying boat on the rivers and broads. Since 2015 she has had a new life sailing with members of the Wherry Maud Trust aboard. Demonstrations will take place of work done by the old wherrymen - raising and lowering the mast, loading cargo and mending ropes. In the Pop-Up Museum, visitors will see more photos of working wherries and Maud’s restoration, and a video showing Maud sailing and her crew doing their work.
Dates: Sunday 13th September
Baden Powell Fishing Boat (King's Lynn, Norfolk)
See the Baden Powell, a double ended topsand cockler, a fishing vessel of timber carvel construction, built by Walter Worfolk of Kings Lynn in 1900. Baden Powell is the last double ended topsand cockler in Kings Lynn and possibly on the East Coast and was the first boat built by Walter Worfolk in Kings Lynn; he and then his sons carried on the business for 80 years, building some 600 craft in all. Members of the Trust who restored her will be on hand to explain how the restoration was achieved.
Sailings are fully booked for the day but visit Float Our Boat to book future trips.
Dates: Sunday 13th September
SOUTH EAST
Intra Maritime Heritage (Chatham, Kent)
Visit Intra Maritime Heritage at Ship Pier in Ship Lane, Chatham Intra where you can have a look onboard SB Cambria, a spritsail Thames Sailing Barge. SB Cambria was the last barge to trade entirely under sail, and took her last cargo in 1970. She is now being restored and is owned and operated by Tiller & Wheel and Intra Maritime Heritage. You can chat with the restoration team onboard as well as her sailing crew who can tell you about how you can get involved. Also on the pier will be SB Lady Daphne, the last operating barge to be built by Short Brothers on the River Medway at Strood. Both vessels are on the prestigious National Historic Fleet.
Dates: Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 September
Visit HMS Medusa (Gosport, Hampshire)
Take a tour of HMS Medusa, a Harbour Defence Launch built in 1943 and now the last original and seagoing of 464 in this class. Medusa was navigational leader for Omaha beach on D Day and still has the special equipment fitted for D Day. A unique survivor of her class, she is now the very last of such seaworthy vessels and remains exactly as built, fully armed, with much of the original equipment that was fitted in WWII. Once onboard, the team will take you for a guided tour of every part of the vessel including the engine room, and the documents and equipment put on for her D-Day role. Tours twice daily.
Dates: Friday 18th & Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September
Steamship Shieldhall - A Rare Survivor! (Southampton)
The 1955 Clyde-built National Historic Fleet steamship Shieldhall will be open on Heritage Open Day Sunday 13th September for pre-booked visits between 1000 – 1500 at 110 Berth in the Western Docks, with an opportunity to tour the ship from Bridge to Boiler Room! Come and meet Shieldhall’s volunteer crew and learn about life aboard a heritage steamship.
Dates: Sunday 13th September
The Golden Hinde - Shipyard Stories: Make & Create (London)
A family-friendly shipyard experience forming part of our 30th anniversary celebrations marking the arrival of The Golden Hinde into St Mary Overie Dock in September 1996. Begin with a taster of our Shipyard Tour, where you’ll step into our working shipyard and discover how traditional skills and hands-on craftsmanship continue to shape the ship you see today. Followed by a hands-on creative workshop in the hold, where families will design and make their own ship-inspired piece - from figureheads to symbolic designs that tell a story. Perfect for families with children aged 6+, with activities designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and storytelling.
Dates: Saturday 12th September
The Golden Hinde - After Dark Museum Late: The Pearl of Bankside (London)
Step aboard National Historic Ships UK's Flagship of the Year The Golden Hinde after hours for a special 30th anniversary Museum Late exploring life on The Golden Hinde in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s through stories, voices and memories. Through talks, storytelling and shared memories, hear from those connected to the ship’s journey across the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Discover the realities of living, working and sailing aboard a historic reconstruction - from daily routines to extraordinary voyages. Doors and bar open from 6pm. Booking is preferred as there is limited capacity.
Dates: Thursday 17th September
London Canal Museum (London)
Explore London's canal history in a Victorian ice warehouse built for the 'Ice King of London'. Step aboard a narrow boat exhibit, discover the trades, people and horses of the canals. Learn more about the ice trade on a free guided tour for adults and young adults; tours are approx. 45 mins and start at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm.
Dates: Monday 14th & Tuesday 15th September
SOUTH WEST
Lifeboat Jane Hannah Macdonald III Restoration (Bideford, Devon)
Open day to showcase progress on the renovation work being carried out on the 1909 Self Righter Class lifeboat Jane Hannah Macdonald III. Talk to the boatwright and learn about the maritime boat building skills needed to renovate and maintain old wooden vessels. Come and learn about the history of the last non-motorised lifeboat to serve in Appledore 1911-1920 and Dunkirk Little Ship. She has had many adventures! Tea and coffee available. Organised by Appledore Maritime Heritage Trust.
Dates: Tuesday 15th September
HEART OF ENGLAND
Corpus Christi College Barge Open Day (Oxford)
An opportunity to visit a special part of Oxford’s floating history. The college barges, unique to Oxford, pre-existed the current boathouses and were used for spectating and celebrating the rowing as well as for changing rooms and club houses. Built by Salter Brothers of Oxford, the Corpus Christi College Barge is a unique example of Edwardian architecture, and one of the only surviving examples of its ilk.
Dates: Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September
Newark Heritage Barge (Newark, Nottinghamshire)
Newark Heritage Barge Leicester Trader is the last Trent size cargo barge built to fit the old locks of the Trent Navigation Company. The unpowered (dumb) barge Leicester Trader was saved from being scrapped in 2008 by local enthusiasts. It is not only the last of its type to be built, but also the last to be towed on the Trent, carrying cargo in a way little changed for a hundred years. On board is a museum and learning resource, explaining life and work on the River Trent barges.
Dates: Friday 11th/ Saturday 12th/ Sunday 13th/ Friday 18th/ Saturday 19th/ Sunday 20th September
NORTH
Beverley Barges on Beverley Beck (Beverley, Yorkshire)
Moored on Beverley Beck are three boats restored by the Beverley Barge Preservation Society which will be open to the public. The largest is the ‘Sheffield’ size barge Syntan, built by the Hepworth shipyard at Paull in 1949 for Richard Hodgsons Tannery and used for transporting tanning materials from Hull docks to the wharf on Beverley Beck. Sun is a former maintenance vessel built in 1960 by Camplings of Goole and is used for charters and public day trips upstream on the River Hull. Mermaid is an ex-Trinity House tender built in Korea in 1986 and used for training and trips along Beverley Beck. See a Victorian wharf crane alongside where Syntan is moored as a reminder of Beverley’s Industrial past. Always a very popular event on this historic waterway.
Dates: Friday 11th & Sunday 13th September
National Waterways Museum (Ellesmere Port, Cheshire)
Housed in the historical location of a former transhipment dock including buildings that are Grade II listed dating back to 1801. The original buildings by Thomas Telford sit alongside later railway influenced warehouses built when a Railway Company took control of the Canal Company which subsequently closed in 1922. Activities include costumed guided tours, engine demos, children’s trail. Visit the museum's fleet of historic canal boats including several on the National Register of Historic Vessels and National Historic Fleet.
Dates: Saturday 12th September