Dozens of venues are participating in the Heritage Open Days festival
The Museum of Transport is one of the venues taking part in this year’s Heritage Open Days (Image: Manchester Evening News)
Across Greater Manchester are hundreds incredible attractions, ranging from fascinating museums to impressive houses. This September there’s the chance to explore many of these for free thanks to the Heritage Open Days scheme.
Organised by the National Trust and supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery, the festival runs across England from September 12 until 21.
This year is the biggest programme yet in its 31-year-history, with more than 5,800 events including free access to places that usually charge entry fees, free sites that put on special events for the festival, and access to many places that aren’t usually open to the public.
There are more than 150 locations taking part in Greater Manchester for 2025 and among them are The Plaza cinema and theatre in Stockport, the Science and Industry Museum in the city centre, and Rochdale Old Fire Station.
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The theme of this year’s festival is architecture, and alongside the museums and other venues participating are dozens of historic churches across the region will be opening their doors including St Andrew’s Church in Eccles, St Peter’s Church in Leigh and St Mary’s Church in Droylsden.
The Science and Industry Museum is among the venues taking part (Image: MEN)
Liam Montgomery, HODs Marketing & Projects Manager said: “2025 is set to offer the most ambitious and wide-reaching Heritage Open Days programme yet, and it’s brimming with great things to do.
“Whether it’s well-known landmarks and hidden architectural gems or community-led talks and immersive experiences, the sheer diversity of places and stories on offer is extraordinary. It’s a testament to the passion and dedication of local organisers and volunteers who make this celebration of our shared heritage possible.”
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, added: “I’m delighted funding raised by our players is supporting Heritage Open Days for another year, and means that the public can enjoy all that it has to offer for free.
“The festival is an incredible opportunity to celebrate England’s rich heritage by exploring the people and places that have helped shape it. With such a jam-packed programme, there is truly something for everyone and it’s a great opportunity to get a sneak peek behind the doors of special and unique sites usually closed off to the general public.”
Below you’ll find some of the events taking place in Greater Manchester this September. For the full listings you can visit the Heritage Open Days website.
Smithills Hall, Bolton
Smithills Hall(Image: Steve Glover / flickr.com)
When: From 11am to 12.30pm on September 17, 18 and 19.
Where: Smithills Hall, Smithills Dean Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 7NP
Pre-booking required? No.
About: Smithills Hall, a Grade I-listed manor house with a some parts dating back to the 14th century, is offering free tours which are usually chargeable, and giving access for people to view the room – which is usually closed to the public – where George Marsh was questioned and interrogated before being dragged out to be put on trial in Chester.
The Science and Industry Museum – rare archive access, Manchester
When: Tours take place at 12pm, 1.30pm and 4pm on September 19, 20 and 21.
Where: Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4FP
Pre-booking required? Yes but you can book on the day. Visitors can sign up to visit the archive on the day at the museum’s front desk. Capacities are limited, so visitors are encouraged to arrive in good time to avoid disappointment. To book, call +443300580058 or visit the museum’s website here. Booking opens at 12am on September 19.
About: Discover the history of the railways with rare access to the museum’s archives. You’ll be able to see original source material and reference books in the lower Ground floor of the museum’s historic New Warehouse, including Stephenson’s proposed route map for the Liverpool & Manchester Railway, colourful engravings and first-hand accounts from early rail travellers.
Separately the museum will also offer behind the scenes tours on the same day, bookable via the phone number and website.
Stockport Plaza, Stockport
Inside Stockport Plaza (Image: Stockport Express)
When: 11am to 4pm on September 21; presentations at: 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
Where: The Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre, Mersey Square, Stockport, Greater Manchester, SK1 1SP
Pre-booking required? No.
About: Learn about Stockport’s 1932 Super Cinema and Variety Theatre with a full day of events and a chance to investigate behind the scenes of this Art Deco building. There are presentations throughout the day.
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Heritage boat tour at Hollingworth Lake, Rochdale
When: At 11am, 1pm and 2pm on September 16, 17, 19 and 21.
Where: Hollingworth Lake Water Activity, Hollingworth Lake, Lakebank, Littleborough, Greater Manchester, OL15 0DQ
Pre-booking required? Yes, you can book via the link here.
About: Enjoy a 45-minute boat of Hollingworth Lake, which began life in 1794 to feed the Rochdale Canal and then became a bustling Victorian tourist attraction. The tour offers the chance to learn more about the lake while taking in the breathtaking scenery.
Museum of Transport, Manchester
The Museum of Transport (Image: Manchester Evening News)
When: From 10am to 4.30pm on September 13-14, and September 20-21
Where: Museum of Transport, Boyle Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M8 8UW
Pre-booking required? No.
About: The Museum of Transport is housed in a grade II-listed building, which was one of Manchester’s first bus garages. It features a collection of over 80 vehicles including a fire engine, a prototype Metrolink tram, lorries and ancillary vehicles. Visitors can have the chance to ride on some of the vehicles during the open weekend. During the open weekends the museum will also operate bus tours on its heritage buses, calling at the Manchester Jewish Museum, Science & Industry Museum and the People’s History Museum in Manchester city centre.
Tyldesley Miners Training Suite, Wigan
When: From 10am to 11am, and 11am to 12pm on September 13 and September 20
Where: Upper George Street, Tyldesley, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M29 8HQ
Pre-booking required? Pre-booking is preferred. Please get in contact with email – Haydn@fortyldesley.co.uk or 07951260804 and inform how many people are attending and also which days you would like to attend.
About: This is the only miners training suite left in the UK located at Tyldesley Technical School, which was originally built to provide education to people working in local collieries, mills, and engineering works. Formally opened in 1904, it was one of the earliest schools of its type in the North West, and was notable for its unique, state-of-the-art underground mine training suite, which was used to train miners before they entered the pits. Please note the small space is not suitable for those who struggle with access.
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