About Us
Taking place each September, Winchester Heritage Open Days is a free ten-day festival run by Hampshire History Trust. The festival celebrates Winchester’s history, architecture and cultural heritage - that includes everything from old buildings, transport, gardens, open spaces, theatre, household objects, books, fashion, postcards, to food and drink!
The festival is part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme and every year creates a diverse and local programme of events ranging from music, theatre, workshops and living history to exhibitions, open buildings, guided tours, walks and talks. This fabulous short film commissioned by the national team gives you a glimpse of what we get up to.
This hugely popular community festival has since 2016 been organised and run entirely by local unpaid volunteers. Visit our archives to look back at every festival programme.
In 2020 the volunteers became part of Hampshire History Trust, a brand new charitable incorporated organisation and also launched Hampshire HistBites, a podcast channel.
The Trust aims to promote and advance the rich and diverse history and heritage of the county of Hampshire by coordinating Winchester Heritage Open Days every September as well as setting up an annual festival of history, running ‘Hampshire HistBites’ and various heritage educational projects for the public benefit. In 2023 we will be working on plans to secure the long term future of this community festival as well as launch some new projects.
If you would like to help with our long term plans, or maybe get involved with the festival by sponsoring or hosting events click on the button below to find out how;
Hampshire History Trust’s registered address is 42-43 East Stratton, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3DT. Charity registration number: 1191377
Hampshire History Trust, the charity which runs Hampshire HistBites and Winchester’s Heritage Open Days, is currently seeking trustees to join the board who have the skills and experience to support a variety of roles. More information here.