European Heritage Open Days

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Heritage Open Days are an annual celebration of England's architecture and culture that allows visitors free access to historical landmarks that are either not usually open, or would normally charge an entrance fee. It also includes tours, events and activities related to architecture and culture.

Heritage Open Days were established in 1994 as England's contribution to European Heritage Days, in which 48 countries now participate.

Organised by volunteers — usually property owners or managers — for local people, Heritage Open Days are one of England's biggest and most popular voluntary cultural event, attracting some 800,000 people every year. The Civic Trust gives central co-ordination and a national voice to the event, which is made possible by funding and support from English Heritage.

In 2005 the event took place between the 8th and 11th September. London stages a separate event, London Open House, which took place the following weekend.

The 2006 event took place from the 7th to the 10th September.