Heritage Open Days 2026: 47 fascinating places around Preston you can visit for free this September
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People can visit Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory, Plau Gin and Beer House, The Harris Egyptian Balcony and The Bubble.
The Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory and the Plau Gin and Beer House will be just some of the Preston venues opening their doors to the public as part of the Heritage Open Days festival of history and culture this September.
The annual event, which will run for 10 days between September 11 and September 20, 2026, will see many of Lancashire’s best-known attractions and destinations welcoming visitors during the event.
Heritage Open Days organised by the National Trust and supported from Postcode Lottery players is a free event, includes access to many Lancashire sites that would usually charge for admission.
Annie Reilly, the National Trust's Audience & Engagement Director, said: "England's largest festival of history and culture is back. Heritage Open Days opens the door to thousands of extraordinary stories, places and experiences on your doorstep.
“With over 6,200 free events across the country, millions can discover the places around them in new and -often-surprising ways. By inspiring curiosity today, the festival helps build a stronger sense of connection, care and action for the future.”
Here are the events taking place around the Preston area that still have availability.
Childhood through the collections at the University of Lancashire
Location: University of Lancashire, Students' Union building, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 7BY
Date: Multiple dates available
Details: Welcome to the home of the University of Lancashire's Special Collections and University Archive. Explore what the Livesey Collection and the Shepherd Street Mission Collection tell us about life for children in Lancashire through the years.
The Lancaster Canal Tram Road and Tram Bridge
Location: Pavilion Cafe, Avenham Park, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 8JT
Dates: Sept 19, 2026
Details: A heritage guided walk covering part of the route of the old tram road (plate-way) that once connected both ends of the Lancaster Canal. A new bridge has now been built which has fully opened this route after 7 years of closure.
Earnshaw Bridge Local History Exhibition and Community Celebration Weekend
Location: St. Johns Church, Leyland Lane, Leyland, Lancashire, PR25 1XB
Dates: Sept 12, 2026
Details: Free local history exhibition of vintage & historic items, photos, aerial photos, maps and documents celebrating the past century of education, community events & significant people who've made their mark on the community of Earnshaw Bridge in Leyland.
Ribchester Roman Bathhouse Open Day
Location: Ribchester Bathhouse, Greenside, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 3ZJ
Dates: Sept 19, 2026
Details: On Saturday September 19 the Ribchester Roman bathhouse will be brought back to life. Visitors will be able to see some of the fascinating objects that were found at the site.
Haslam Park and Local Nature Reserve
Location: Haslam Park, Bristow Avenue, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 1JE
Dates: Sept 12, 2026
Details: Haslam park has features dating from 1910. 21st century additions focus on natural areas. Visitors will be able to explore the local nature reserve alone or ask for a guide.
St James Shireshead, Forton near Garstang, Lancashire
Location: Whinney Brow, Forton, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 0AE
Dates: Sept 20, 2026
Details: Discover the sacred space that is St James Shireshead, Whinney Brow Ln, Preston.
St Saviour's Church, Bamber Bridge
Location: St. Saviours Church, Church Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 6AJ
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: St Saviour's Church building tour including an exhibition of the historic role of the church in the everyday lives of working people linked with Bamber Bridge.
500 years of Garstang - Heritage Trail
Cherestanc Square, Garstang, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 1EF
Dates: Sept 14, 2026
Details: Discover the local buildings and structures, of the historic town and surrounding area of Garstang.
Broughton in Amounderness Heritage Centre and Church Cottage Museum
Location: Church Cottage Museum at Broughton C of E Primary School, Church Lane off Garstang Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 5JB
Dates: Multiple dates availabl
Details: Visitors will be able to enjoy guided tours of Church Cottage (1590), restored Museum 1995, part of Broughton Heritage Centre, including Parish Church and National School.
Preston Markets Heritage Walk
Location: Preston Market Office, Town Hall Annexe, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2QE
Dates: Sept 12, 2026
Details: Discover the ever-evolving history of Preston's Markets - including the Market Hall and Box Market under the Grade II listed canopies built in 1875 and 1925.
Bleasdale Parish Hall Heritage Afternoon
Location: Bleasdale Parish Hall, off Bleasdale Lane, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 1UY
Dates: 19 Sep 2026
Details: A chance to visit Bleasdale Parish Hall and its Heritage Room, with displays and photographs detailing times past in and around the parish of Bleasdale.
Garstang High Street Through The Ages
Location: St. Thomas Church Hall, Church Street, Garstang, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 1PA
Dates: Sept 12, 2026
Details: Displays of old photos, documents and artefacts from Garstang and rural district. Exhibition about Garstang High Street though the ages featuring shops, market and businesses.
Kennington Primary 'Bubble' classroom
Location: Kennington Primary School, Kennington Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 8ER
Dates: Sept 19, 2026
Details: Visit a 1970s architectural innovation designed for new educational ideas. The ‘bubble’ classroom at Kennington Primary School was the first fully structural plastic building in Britain, and is still in use today.
Another Brick in the Walk
Location: Walk sets off from Fylde Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR2
Dates: Sept 12, 2026
Details: This brisk walk round brickworking history traces the hidden past of one of Preston's most important industries. The three-mile linear walk takes an indirect route ending at the HODs event at Dobcroft Nature Reserve in Ingol.
St John the Evangelist Church, Lund, Clifton, PR4 0ZE
Location: St John the Evangelist Parish Church, Lund, Church Lane, Clifton, Lancashire, PR4 0ZE
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: See the 'Scandalous Trough' in Lund Parish Church.
Songs Of Praise
Location: St Leonard's Church, Church Brow, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 4BH
Dates: Sept 12, 2026
Details: An afternoon of hymns and the stories. Light refreshments will also be served.
Messy Church Goes Large 'All For Jesus'
Location: St Aidan's Church, Station Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 4JB
Dates: Sept 20, 2026
Details: Visit the church to worship with others.
Rooted in faith through the generations
Location: St Aidan's Church, Station Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 4JB
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: Exhibitions is church will include old photographs recording historical events
Open weekend St Helen’s Churchtown nr Garstang 12th century grade I listed church
Location: St Helen’s Church, Churchtown, Church St, Preston, Lancashire, PR30HT
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: Open weekend at mediaeval St Helen’s Church, Churchtown Garstang.
Brick by Brick: Stories of Dobcroft
Location: The Intact Centre, 49 Whitby Avenue, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 3YP
Dates: Sept 12, 2026
Details: Discover the stories of the people who built the past and the nature that thrives today.
St George's Church - Preston's Hidden Gem
Location: St. Georges Church, Georges Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2NP
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: In 2026 the church is celebrating 300 years. Nestled between shops and carparks lies St George's Church. Unassuming from the outside, housing magnificent, unique wall paintings and a majestic Fr Willis organ.
Community and Heritage Day at St Michael's Parish Church, Kirkham
Location: St Michael's Parish Church, CHurch St, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 2SE
Dates: Sept 12 2026
Details: Community and Heritage Open Day with Graveyard Tour.
Rooted in faith through the generations
Location: St Leonard's Church, Church Brow, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 4HJ
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: See the generations that have been part of the church.
Broughton Through Time guided walk & an exhibition of 100 years of the Womens Institute in Broughton!
Location: Garstang Road, Broughton, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 5JB
Dates: Sept 13, 2026
Details: Take part in the "Broughton Through time" guided walk followed by an exhibition of archive material kindly loaned by the Lancashire archives.
Memories are Made of This - Living in Larches, Savick and Lea
Location: St. Bernards Larches & Savick Community Hub, Elswick Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 1NT
Dates: Sept 15, 2026
Details: Drop in to St Bernard's Hub to share your memories and stories of living in Larches, Savick and Lea. Discover the area in the past and help us to record the history of the future.
Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory
Location: Moor Park, Blackpool Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 1NN
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: Visit this small and intriguing building tucked in the corner of Moor Park, and discover what's inside that domed roof. Built for gazing at the sky, it's a star of Preston's scientific history.
Bleasdale - From the Past until the Present
Location: Bleasdale Parish Hall, off Bleasdale Lane, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 1UY
Dates: Sept 19, 2026
Details: A guided local history trail, which follows tracks and paths in the parish of Bleasdale, situated in the foothills of the Forest of Bowland.
Plau Gin and Beer House
Location: 115 Friargate, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2EE
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: Tour a historic pub and dram shop, reopened after an award-winning restoration, and since Grade II listed.
Snape's Printworks
Location: 9-11 Boltons Court, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 3TY
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: Explore this former printworks which closed in 2024 after over 150 years in business. It's now being developed as a creative hub, while retaining its atmospheric heritage and architecture.
Hidden 'art nouveau' at Ciao Amó
Location: 1-2 Lune Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2NL
Dates: Sept 17, 2026
Details: Climb to the top of this Grade II listed former friendly society building and see the manager’s panelled office and his bathroom with beautiful ‘art nouveau’ tiling.
Egyptian Balcony drop in at The Harris
Location: The Harris, Market Square, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2PP
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: The Egyptian Balcony at The Harris is a hidden top-floor gallery wrapped around the lantern, featuring 1908 murals of Egypt by artist John Somerscales. For 2026 Heritage Open Days, this unique space will be opened for free.
Lancashire Conservation Studios - Behind the Scenes at the Museum
Location: Lancashire Conservation Studios, St Mary's Church, St Mary's Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 5LN
Dates: Sept 19, 2026
Details: Specialist Tours of the museum conservation studios where Lancashire's Heritage is conserved. See work being undertaken on archaeology, oil paintings, taxidermy and ceramics.
Behind the Scenes at Preston Playhouse
Location: The Playhouse, Market Street West, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HB
Dates: Sept 13, 2026
Details: Access all areas in a guided tour of Preston Playhouse. See front of house and backstage, discovering the history of the building and how performances are created here today.
St Mary’s Church Penwortham and grounds
Location: Church Avenue, Penwortham, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 0AH
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: St Mary's Church in Penwortham features a 14th-century chancel and a 15th-century tower. Its churchyard contains Castle Hill, the remains of an 11th-century Norman motte and bailey castle, built to guard the River Ribble crossing.
Preston Town Hall
Location: Preston Town Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2RL
Dates: Sept 19, 2026
Details: Visit The Council Chamber at the heart of The Town Hall and discover how local decisions are made there. See the splendid Civic Regalla and learn about it's fascinating history and complete the tour by meeting The Mayor in The Mayor's Parlour.
Chapel Talks – Christ Church Chapel, Preston
Location: Christ Church Chapel, Fishergate Hill, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 8XJ
Dates: Sept 19, 2026 In person Pre-booking preferred
Details: A chance to explore one of Lancashire's hidden gems.
Built for history makers – explore County Hall, Preston
Location: County Hall, Fishergate Hill, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 8XJ
Dates: Sept 19, 2026 In person Pre-booking preferred
Details: A chance to explore some of Lancashire's hidden gems - book your free place on one of our talks or guided tours to discover the history of County Hall in the impressive Council Chamber, Christ Church Chapel and Lancashire Archives.
Tours of the Stores at NFM's Heritage and Research Centre
Location: Sir Tom Finney Way, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 6RU
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: The National Football Museum's Preston-based Research and Archive Centre will be open to the public, with the offer to look around and try out some engagement activities. Free drop-in from 12 noon- 2pm Bookable tours available at 1pm on both days
Open Studios at Moss Mill
Location: The Ferret, 55 Fylde Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2XQ
Dates: Sept 13, 2026
Details: Moss Mill is the oldest Horrocks’ Mill remaining in Preston. October Salon and 104 collective are hosting Open Studios. The public are invited to look around the studios, gallery and workshop space.
Suffrage Signs of Resistance
Location: Preston City Council, Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Market Square, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2PP
Dates: 12 Sep 2026
Details: Placard making workshop for all.
Preston's Caribbean Community
Location: The Unity Centre, 5/6 Shepherd Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 3YD
Dates: Sept 15, 2026
Details: Discover the history of Preston's Caribbean community since the early sixties - with a focus on working life as well as leisure.
Lancashire Archives Open Day
Location: Lancashire Archives, Bow Lane, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2RE
Dates: Sept 19, 2026
Details: Lancashire Archives is home to millions of historical documents dating back to 1115 that help tell the remarkable story of Lancashire and its people.
AudaTours Preston Audio Tour: Ten Per Cent and No Surrender
Location: Arkwright House, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9ZH
Dates: Available anytime
Details: A self-guided audio tour of Preston, exploring the cotton weavers, dockers and clerks of the Lancashire town.
St Walburge's Church
Location: Weston Street, off Pedder Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 2QE
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: Discover Preston's Grade I listed church - with the highest parish church spire in the UK and a stunning hammer beam roof spanning the width of the building. The spire and its panoramic views over Preston will be open, weather permitting.
The Everyday Working Lives of Historic Walton le Dale Walk by Preserving Preston's Heritage CIC
Location: Capitol Centre Retail Park, Walton-le-Dale, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 4AW
Dates: Sept 20, 2026 In person Pre-booking preferred
Details: A tour around the village of Walton le Dale, visiting a number of local landmarks, discussing their history and their connection to Everyday Working Lives of the past.
Preston Cleansing Department
Location: Argyll Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 6JY
Dates: Sept 13, 2026 In person Pre-booking required
Details: Discover the fascinating history of dealing with Preston's rubbish on the site of an early 'manure depot'. Tour the site of the former 'refuse destructor' built in the 1880s to collect and burn waste.
St Michaels on Wyre Parish Church
Location: St Michael's on Wyre Church, Blackpool Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 0UA
Dates: Multiple dates available
Details: Grade I listed Medieval church with interesting features and guided tours and refreshments available
For more details on any of these events, visit the Heritage Open Days website.