Norfolk Heritage Open Days, England’s largest free festival of culture and heritage, returns 9 September to 18 September 2022, with ten days of unmissable FREE drop in and bookable events celebrating the area’s history.
With more than 250 free events taking place, Norfolk Heritage Open Days is a rare chance to explore the county, including exclusive access behind-the-scenes of some of our most amazing buildings, fantastic exhibitions, brilliant guided tours, and astonishing immersive virtual reality experiences.
For 2022, the Heritage Open Days theme is ‘Astounding Inventions’ celebrating England’s rich history of invention, industry, and innovation. From events exploring Norfolk’s boating past and monks inventing stinky cheese and champagne, Norfolk Heritage Open Days is a remarkable chance to discover the extraordinary resourcefulness of bygone ages.
The Norfolk Heritage Open Days programme can be explored in a printed brochure available at The Forum, and venues across Norwich and Norfolk, or download the brochure here. Tickets can be booked online here or directly from the event organisers. See the north Norfolk events below and check out the Heritage Open Days website.
PRE-BOOK EVENTS:
BSL Interpreted: Heritage Open Days at Blickling Estate
Conservation conversations (Park Life)
Wednesday 14 September, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm
Join us for a conservation conversation as our experts show you how we look after this special place and plan to protect it for future generations. The park at Blickling has changed over the centuries but there are remnants of an ancient landscape in the woods and park today. Join Countryside Manager, Stuart Banks, for a walk to meet some truly remarkable trees and discover some of the habitats and wildlife that call Blickling home. We’ll also explore the effects of climate change in the parkland setting and how that influences the decisions we make today, as well as how we’re working to discover more about tree pests and diseases. A BSL interpreter will be available for this guided walk. Booking essential. Free tour. Find out more here.
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Heritage Open Days at Horsey Windpump
Saturday 10 September, 10am-4pm
Horsey Windpump is an iconic invention sitting amongst an array of rare wildlife. Discover the history of the windpump, enjoy the buzzing wildlife garden or take one of the many scenic walking routes around Horsey. Horsey Windpump has a fascinating past and is the perfect gateway to experience the connection between man and nature. Standing sentinel over the mere and surrounding Broadland landscape, a climb to the top is rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding countryside an opportunity not to be missed. Come and find out more about this astounding invention and the part that Windpumps played in our local history. Last entry at 3pm, tour times available on arrival. Free entry, no booking required. Find out more here.
Heritage Open Days at Felbrigg Hall
Saturday 10 September - Wednesday 14 September, noon-4pm
One of the most elegant country houses in East Anglia, the Hall is a place of surprises and delights, a mixture of opulence and homeliness where each room evokes the imagination. Inside see stained glass windows, beautiful hand painted wallpaper in the Chinese bedroom and Queen Mary’s teapot. Our room guides will be around to answer any questions you might have about our fascinating history and the collection. Then head outside to enjoy the stunning walled garden, the rolling landscape and waymarked trails. Free entry from 10-14 September, no booking required. Find out more here.
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Museum of the Broads
Sunday 11 September and Sunday 18 September, 1030am to 3.30pm
Discover how people have lived and worked in the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads. Our stories take you from Roman times, peat diggers, marsh workers and early tourists, to the holiday makers, sailors and environmentalists of today. Many items on display are unique and include some of the area’s most iconic boats. There are interactives and trails to do too. Much of our photo archive can be viewed digitally and we also have an audio guide tour. Our wind power exhibition looks at the impact of sails on the development of the Broads – past, present and future. The former trading wherry, Maud, will be open to view on Sun 18. Boat trips (charge applies) on the Marsh Harrier available. Book in advance here. Some tickets available on the door, subject to availability.
Pensthorpe Natural Park
Monday 12 September, 1pm - 4.30pm.
With over 700 acres of natural landscape to explore, Pensthorpe has something to offer for all; from the nature lover, to the gardener, conservationist to the explorer, there really is a part of Pensthorpe for everyone. You can also explore the Discovery Centre to learn more about the unearthed treasures, with artefacts including a hand axe believed to date from 8000 BC, tusks and a woolly mammoth tooth uncovered whilst excavating the lakes. Book tickets here.
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St Seraphim’s Trust, Tour
Wednesday 14 September and Saturday 17 Sptember, 2pm.
Located in the old railway station, St Seraphim’s is a unique heritage site which tells the intertwined stories of the railway and religion. Explore a Pilgrim Chapel, Icon and Railway Heritage Museum with Quiet Garden. Discover more about our Chapel Icons with this special guided tour. Book: 01328 820610 / sylvia@iconpainter.org.uk.
DROP IN EVENTS:
Cromer Museum, Rear of 7-9 East Cottage, Tucker Street, NR27 9HB
Saturday 10 September and Sunday 11 September, 12pm to 4pm
Explore this cosy Victorian fisherman’s cottage and immerse yourself in 19th century life. Discover the town’s history as a seaside resort and admire the beautiful portrait photographs of North Norfolk fishermen, by Olive Edis, Norfolk’s pioneering female photographer. See an amazing collection of fossils and find out about the famous West Runton elephant.
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Cromer Signal Box, Holt Road, Cromer, NR27 9ST
Friday 16 September and Saturday 17 September, 10.30am - 3pm.
At this Grade II listed signal box, the lever frame is complete as in the 1960s, and visitors can operate it. On the grounds are working signals and points, all renovated by local volunteers. It is now an outpost of the North Norfolk Railway and trains pass within feet on their way in and out of Cromer Station. Off Holt Road between Argos and Cromer Old Cemetery.
Sheringham Park’s Pill Boxes
Friday 16 and Saturday 17 September, 11am-4pm
Two pillboxes at Sheringham Park that are normally closed, will be open for visitors to step inside. These were part of the defences of this section of the Norfolk coast. Two slightly different designs can be seen in conjunction with other nearby defensive structures. These, along with maps of the complete defensive layouts, will shed more light on Norfolk’s plan of defence. No booking required. Find out more here.
St Benet’s Abbey Tour, St Benet’s Road (off Hall Common Road), Ludham, NR29 5NU
Saturady 10 September, Sunday 11 September, Wednesday 14 Septemer, Saturday 17 September and Sunday 18 Septemer, 2pm
Champagne & Stinky Cheese: Monks as accidental inventors. The Benedictine monks of St Benet’s Abbey helped shape the landscape for centuries, but do you know what inventions monks were responsible for? These special tours will explain all. St Benet’s is remote from the main roads, check online listing for directions.
Walsingham Methodist Chapel, High Street, Walsingham, NR22 6BY
Friday 9 September - Sunday 11 September, 10am - 4pm
Monday 12 September, Friday 16 September to Satuday 17 September, 1pm - 4pm
Visit and see a largely unspoilt 18th century Methodist chapel in historic Walsingham. Soak in the atmosphere and see our displays, including John Wesley’s unique take on medical remedies; how many ways can you use nettles?!
Waxham Great Barn, Coast Road, Waxham, NR12 0DZ
Monday 12 September - Thursday 15 September, 10am - 4pm
This magnificent late 16th century thatched barn is an iconic Norfolk landmark and it is as impressive today as it was when it was first built. The Grade I listed barn was built around 1590 by the Woodhouse family, one of Norfolk’s most prominent families. At over 55m long, Waxham Barn is one of the longest thatched barns in England.
West Raynham Control Tower, Blenheim Way, West Raynham, Fakenham, NR21 7PL
Saturday 10 September - Tuesday 13 September, Thursday 15 September - Sunday 18 September, 9.30am to 4.30pm
An opportunity to visit the Control Tower at the former Royal Air Force West Raynham. Opened in 1938 and closed in 1994, this RAF station has a rich history which is being preserved to be retold at the tower. Visitors will be able to see the Tower’s heritage collection, telling the story of the station. Of particular note, is a Hawker Hunter F1, which flew from the station between 1954 and 1957. Tours available on demand.
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