Mock trials, tower tours and hidden gem library – more than 80 Nottinghamshire attractions to open for free

Heritage Open Days grants access to some rarely seen corners of the county

Dozens of attractions across Nottinghamshire will be opening their doors for free as part of a national history and culture festival.

More than 80 events are on offer across the county, from museums and workhouses to castles and churches.

It’s part of Heritage Open Days 2026, which runs between Friday, September 11 and Sunday, September 20, and includes more than 5,800 free events across the UK.

Organisers say it is a brilliant opportunity for people to save money, feel proud of their area and discover “local gems” and historic sites.

A spokesperson said: “Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture.

“Every year in September, places across the country throw open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all free.”

In Nottinghamshire, people can get free admission to the likes of the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum in Eastwood.

Events are also taking place at the National Justice Museum in the city centre, including a historical trial re-enactment.

Here are some of the events taking place across Nottinghamshire this month:

• All Saints Church, Strelley: Discover the historic All Saints Church in Strelley village, with refreshments available or a picnic area to enjoy, coinciding with the local ‘Notts Historic Churches Trust’ ride and stride fundraising event on September 12.
• Trent Bridge: Visit the world’s second-largest cricket library, discover the history of the world famous ground and County Club. Also see a new stained glass window and enjoy views from the highest grand stand. You don’t need to be a cricket enthusiast to enjoy a visit. Multiple dates.
• Courtroom Trial at National Justice Museum, High Pavement: Trial re-enactments are among the most popular events across the week. This rarely seen space will be open to the public for a family-friendly mock trial on September 13.
• Guided tour of Bennerley Viaduct : Join the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct for a special guided walk of the iconic, 150-year-old, Grade II-listed Iron Giant. One of only two wrought iron viaducts remaining nationally, experience the monument and its beautiful natural surroundings on September 19.
• Guided walk around Newark’s timber-framed heritage, Newark Libary: As well as spotting the less obvious, well-disguised timber-framed buildings, this walk around the centre of Newark on September 20, guided by local architect Bernard Martin, will visit some of the timber-framed buildings in the town.
• St Mary’s Church, Attenborough: Standing on the edge of Attenborough Nature Reserve, this historic church has been a landmark for centuries. Step inside to admire the remarkable carved stone figures, and discover its fascinating history on September 12.

See the full list of the other 86 events taking place below:

• Architecture Walk at the University of Nottingham – September 18
• Bagthorpe Gardens open day – September 20
• Bassetlaw Museum open day – September 12
• Beeston Civic Society: Blue plaques tour – September 20
• Beeston Civic Society: Guided walk – September 13
• Beeston Civic Society: Hong Kong Notts Celebration – September 12
• The Resource Centre: Behind the scenes at the Museum – September 16
• Bennerley Viaduct guided tour – September 19
• Big Battlefield Walks Weekends: Civil War Newark and its 1644 battle – September 13
• St Mary Magdalene Church, Newark: Book Workshop – multiple dates
• Books, Bonnets and Bathing in a Slipper: Friends of Newark Town Hall Museum – multiple dates
• Bramcote Old Church Tower tour – multiple dates available
• Clumber Park free admission – September 18
• CPMG Architects office: 13 St Peter’s Gate, Nottingham – September 12
• Cricketer and Stockinger: Display exploring relationship between cricket and framework knitting in the county (Ruddington Framework Knitters Museum) – multiple dates available
• CWGC Tours 2026: East Retford Cemetery – September 12
• CWGC Tours 2026: Mansfield Cemetery – September 19
• Explor William Booth Birthplace Museum – multiple dates
• Eastwood (Nottingham Road) Victorian Shops: Window displays – Anytime
• Exploration of the history and natural history of Mansfield Cemetery – September 19
• Family Day at Bromley House Library – September 13
• Flintham Museum: Flintham’s Hidden Histories – multiple dates
• Framework Knitters Museum: ‘From Ruddington to Cromford’ Book Talk – September 20
• From Bronze age to Beestons “Bayeux” The History of Beeston Rylands – multiple dates
• Gedling House: Explore the History of Gedling House and Kadampa Buddhism – September 20
• George Martyn’s Barn open day – multiple dates
• Green’s Windmill and Science Centre (Sneinton) – multiple dates
• Grove Street Methodist Church (Retford) open day – September 12
• Guide tours of St Mary’s Church, Lowdham – September 12
• Newark Market Place: Heritage building skills demonstration and participation – September 12
• Retford Library: Heritage talk exploring old occupations – September 12
• Newark Castle heritage tour – September 16
• Luquorice Gardens of Worksop heritage talk – September 16
• ‘If Walls Could Talk: Stories from National Civil War Centre in Newark – September 12
• Nottinghamshire Archives escape room – September 12
• Lady Chatterley Walk: St Katherine’s Church – September 20
• National Justice Museum: Laundry with Matron – September 20
• The Lenton Centre: Lenton Through Time: multiple dates
• Lowdham Signal Box exhibit: multiple dates
• Mary Potter Heritage Centre: Everyday working lives of women in care and service – September 12
• Sutton Lawn: Mill Waters Festival – September 12
• Mr Straw’s House tour – September 12
• Mr Straw’s House: Worksop Canal Walk – September 12
• National Holocaust Museum: Everyday histories – multple dates
• Newark Heritage Barge exhibit – multiple dates
• Newark Masonic Hall and Museum – September 19
• Newstead Abbey free entry – September 12
• Norwood Park exploration – September 13
• Nottingham Catholic Cathedral – open every day
• Nottingham College Adams Building: Extraordinary impact of everyday education heroes – September 12
• The Pearson Centre in Beeston: Explore huge archive of 100-year-old organisation – multiple dates
• Museum of the Horse (Tuxford): Poverty, Persecution and Triumph – September 17
• Retford Arts Hub: Art Gallery Exhibition – September 12
• Sloswick’es Almshouses: Retford Heritage Day – September 12
• Southwell: Hidden Treasures at The Saracens Head – September 12
• Spa Ponds Nature Reserve: Walk through a thousand years of history – multiple dates available
• St Leonard’s Church tours in Wollaton – multiple dates available
• St Mary’s Church in the Lace Market: Tower tours and brass rubbing – September 12
• Teversal: St Katherine’s open days – September 18-20
• Stitch Sampler @ Debbie Bryan; Create your own A6 stitch sampler – multiple dates
• Bobbers Mill store tour showcasing working lives for those in key industries – multiple dates
• Teversal and it’s literary connections to D.H. Lawrence: Talk – September 18
• The Adams Building open to the public – September 12
• The Ancient Teversal Village Walk – September 19
• The Museum of the Horse: Guided tours – multiple dates
• The People of St Mary’s: Family-Friendly Trail – multiple dates
• The People of St Mary’s: Free Guided Tour – multiple dates
• The People’s Hall Institute exhibit – multiple dates
• The School of Musical Instrument Crafts: ViolinSchool – September 12
• The Museum of the Horse: The Society of Equestrian Artists Exhibition – multiple dates
• 1-4 Smithy Row: The William Booth Walking Trail of Nottingham – September 11
• The Workhouse (Southwell): Open days – multiple dates
• Tour of Inham Nook Allotment – September 12
• Nottinghamshire Archives: Tour – September 17
• Discover Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and Heritage Centre – multiple dates
• Tuxford Traditional Building Tour and Skills Demonstration Day – September 15
• University of Nottingham Museum: The Science of Archaeology – September 12
• The Old Meeting House: Untold Stories – multiple dates available
• Wollaton Village Dovecote Museum + guided walk around Wollaton Village – September 13
• Wollaton Walled Garden Project – multiple dates
• Worksop Priory Church and Gatehouse: Open Day – September 12