Welcome to Hampshire’s favourite heritage festival!

our 10TH FESTIVAL will take PLACE from 12 - 21 SEPTEMBER 2025

Our 10th annual festival will be taking place from 12 - 21 September 2025.

Theme: Architecture

Friday 12th - Sunday 21st September

Architecture shapes our world, telling stories of innovation, craftsmanship, and heritage. From medieval cathedrals to modern marvels, the 2025 festival invites you to explore the structures that define Winchester’s past and future. Through guided walks, expert talks, and behind-the-scenes tours, discover how our architectural heritage influences our daily lives.

Explore the 2025 Festival Programme

If you are interested in taking part, please get in touch via email - info@winchesterheritageopendays.org

Support us: become a member

Hampshire Heritage Open Days are organised by Hampshire History Trust, a registered charity. If you share in our passion for opening doors, sharing stories, and making history more accessible, then please help us continue to coordinate this festival and other heritage projects every year by joining our Friends scheme or making a donation.

Find out more

Whilst we wait for the 2025 festival to begin, you can listen to episodes from the Hampshire HistBites podcast, as well as enjoy some online content from last year's festival. For content to enjoy outside of the festival period see here.

If you love history and community projects, then you will probably love being part of our team.

We are looking for volunteers who can spend a few hours every week over the coming months to help with our fundraising campaign, updating the website or

Love what we do? We have plans for more - and we'd love you to be a part in telling our county's amazing stories!

Consider donating online or get in touch to volunteer! Visit our website via the link in our bio for more information, where you can al

We are very saddened at the recent news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, and Hampshire History Trust is aware of the impact this may have on Winchester Heritage Open Days which occurs across 10 days from 9th-18th September 2022.

We will be fol

From a secluded fernery, an abundant orchard and fragrant rose garden, to a rambling wilderness, hidden ha-ha and avenue of Lime trees: the Chawton House garden is packed with features that make the most of its picturesque surroundings.

Book onto th

Winchester City Museum is the place to be on Saturday 10th September:
⚜️Free admission to the Museum as part of #WinchesterHODs
✏️An #AstoundingInventions Craft session (booking required)
💡A performance by @pedlarsandpetticoats on the hidden #herst

It's fun, IT’s fabulous and it is all FREE!

Hampshire Heritage Open Days is coordinated and promoted by volunteers from Hampshire History Trust. Most of the events are organised for FREE by individuals, groups and organisations. For the past few years Winchester College have been our lead sponsor, supporting us to enable access to historical sites across the city. They also host their own exciting selection of talks, concerts and tours . In 2023 they offered 10 events, which included campus tours with a WinColl students’ insights, a talk on Faberge eggs and events for the whole family.