Uncover Coventry’s Secret Spaces: Your Ultimate Guide to Heritage Open Days 2026
Coventry is opening its doors (quite literally) from 11th to 21st September 2026 for Heritage Open Days, England’s largest annual celebration of history and culture.
Whether you’re a curious culture-seeker, an architecture enthusiast, or planning a low-cost family getaway, this is your rare opportunity to step behind the scenes of Coventry’s extraordinary past. From secret 15th-century timber-framed cottages and medieval city gates to behind-the-scenes newspaper archives and art deco venues, you can explore the city’s hidden gems completely free of charge!
What is Heritage Open Days?
Heritage Open Days is a nationwide festival that sees thousands of historic sites, hidden spaces, and cultural landmarks open to the public at no cost.
Presented by the National Trust and made possible by dedicated local volunteers, the festival gives curious explorers exclusive access to places usually closed to the public. It’s an invitation to see familiar streets in a brand-new light and discover the remarkable people, trades, and stories that built Coventry over the last thousand years.
Why Visit Coventry During Heritage Open Days?
Coventry is a city where centuries of resilience, innovation, and creativity stand side-by-side. While there is always something to explore in the city, Heritage Open Days offers a unique window into spaces you can't see at any other time of year:
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100% Free Days Out: Every single tour, exhibition, and open door on the festival roster is completely free, offering an affordable day out for everyone.
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Exclusive Backstage & Secret Access: Walk through normally locked doors, from the War Memorial's Chamber of Silence to the former print rooms of the Telegraph Hotel.
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Welcoming Local Storytellers: Learn straight from the historians, architects, and passionate volunteers who keep Coventry's heritage alive.
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Family-Friendly Adventures: Enjoy interactive trails, miniature railway rides, model trains, and costumed medieval encounters that bring history to life for all ages.
Confirmed 2026 Festival Highlights & Events (H2)
The festival lineup for Coventry between 11th and 21st September 2026 is packed with unique experiences. Here is what you can discover:
Medieval Power & Historic Almshouses
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St Mary’s Guildhall (Multiple Dates): Explore one of Britain’s finest surviving medieval guildhalls, featuring the rare 500-year-old Coventry Tapestry and 700 years of royal history.
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Priory Row Cottages (20th Sept): Step inside these timber-framed "Lychgate Cottages" built around 1415, a remarkable survival of pre-Dissolution Coventry.
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Swanswell Gate & Cook Street Gate (20th Sept): Take a rare look inside the only two remaining medieval city wall gates, now beautifully restored as luxury holiday lets.
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Bond’s Hospital (12th Sept) & Ford’s Hospital (19th Sept): Discover two of England’s finest surviving 16th-century domestic timber buildings (Ford's Hospital was even a filming site for Doctor Who!).
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The Weaver’s House (Multiple Dates): Step back to 1540 to see how Tudor artisan families lived, worked, and tended their heritage gardens.
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Holy Trinity Church & Doom Painting (Multiple Dates): Visit this historic medieval parish church to view its awe-inspiring 15th-century "Doom Painting".
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The Church of St John the Baptist (Multiple Dates): Explore this 1344 medieval church packed with striking 1950s stained glass.
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Trinity House / Old Blue Coat School (19th Sept): Discover a building constructed around the last surviving tower of Coventry's first cathedral.
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Cathedral Ruins Costumed Interpreters (Multiple Dates): Meet costumed interpreters from 1459, when Coventry briefly served as the capital of England under King Henry VI.
Theatre & Architecture
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Albany Theatre Backstage Tours (Multiple Dates): Get exclusive access to this 1930s art deco venue, learning its story from WWII lecture hall to modern performing arts centre.
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Behind the Scenes at the Telegraph Hotel (19th Sep): Explore hidden spaces inside Coventry’s mid-century newspaper headquarters, tracing its conversion into an award-winning hotel.
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University of Warwick Maths Houses (20th Sept): Step inside these Grade II* listed 1969 houses designed by Bill Howell, winner of the 1970 RIBA Architecture Award. Draw on integrated blackboards and take part in family math crafts!
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Between Ancient and Modern: Astley Castle (Multiple Dates): Explore a ground-breaking conversion of rugged castle ruins into award-winning modern architecture.
Historic Parks, Estates & Ruined Castles
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Coombe Abbey Hotel & Park History Tours (Multiple Dates): Trace Coombe Abbey's story from 12th-century Cistercian monastery to royal estate, includes tea and a scone during the hotel tour!
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Anglican Chapel at London Road Cemetery (19th Sept): View the restored chapel and discover stories of ordinary Cov kids inside Joseph Paxton’s Victorian garden cemetery.
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Bagot’s Castle, Baginton (Multiple Dates): Wander 14th-century castle ruins, 19 acres of woodland trails, river walks, and meet the resident Bagot Goats!
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Allesley Park Walled Garden & Heritage Orchard (13th Sept): Explore a c1785 kitchen garden, medicinal herb beds, and heritage fruit orchards tended by volunteers.
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Chamber of Silence at War Memorial Park (Multiple Dates): Access a poignant space opened only twice a year to view Coventry’s official Rolls of the Fallen.
Community, Culture & Quirky Museums
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River Festival Coventry at Charterhouse (Multiple Dates): Celebrate the River Sherbourne with local art, displays, and community activities at the 14th-century Charterhouse.
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Dame Goodyvers Daye (11th Sept): Join a vibrant city-centre feast day reviving a 15th-century tradition to celebrate Lady Godiva and modern community heroes.
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Artful Echoes at Coventry University Archives (Multiple Dates): View unseen works by notable local artists, including Dame Ellen Terry and Frederick Lanchester.
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Everyday Experiences at Coventry Archives (12th Sept): Drop in at the Herbert Art Gallery for behind-the-scenes tours of personal history photography collections.
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Moments in Time at Coventry Watch Museum (Multiple Dates): Learn what life was like in medieval Spon Street courts and see a wall cracked by the 1940 Blitz.
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Coventry Police Museum (Multiple Dates): Explore decades of local policing history tucked beneath the Council House.
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The Phil Silvers Archival Museum (Multiple Dates): Visit the newly relocated pop-culture museum celebrating classic comedy at FarGo Village.
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Holyhead Studios Open Weekend (Multiple Dates): Explore visual artists' studios housed in a Victorian former Quaker Friends' Meeting House.
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St Mary Magdalen Church (12th Sept): Enjoy live music and view new frescos inside Chapelfields’ famed "Church with the Blue Roof".
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St Mary and St Benedict Church (Multiple Dates): Interactive heritage days reflecting community life in Hillfields.
Trains, Tracks & Walking Tours
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Coventry Council House & Walking Tours (Multiple Dates): Explore the private Lord Mayor’s Reception Suite or join guided city-centre walking tours.
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Coventry Model Railway Club (Multiple Dates): Visit the club room at the Canal Basin to see multiple running model train layouts.
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Heritage Miniature Railway Open Day (12th Sept): Ride the Bridge View Light Railway at Baginton along the River Sowe.
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AudaTours Audio Tour: "Hands to the Work" (Available Anytime): Download a self-guided audio tour exploring the weavers, watchmakers, and car workers who built Coventry.
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King Henry VIII School Historic Tour (12th Sept): Tour the 1545 charter school's 1885 buildings and learn about its WWII history.
Make a Weekend of It
Because many tours require pre-booking or run on specific dates, Coventry makes the perfect base for a weekend heritage break.
Combine your free open day visits with a stay at historic venues like Coombe Abbey Hotel, Priory Row Cottages, or the mid-century Telegraph Hotel. In between tours, refuel at Elle's indoor food hall at Station Square or enjoy traditional cask ales at The Old Windmill on historic Spon Street.
Key Visitor Details
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Dates: 11th – 21st September 2026
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Cost: 100% Free (some venues require advance pre-booking)
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Full Event Programme: Check the official website for the full programme of events, dates and details.