Heritage Open days is the largest festival of history and culture in England. This year (2023), the festival takes place from 8-17th September and sees some fantastic local gems throw open their doors to the public. Here’s our pick of places in and around Cheshire East to head to…..
Macclesfield Town Hall
Macclesfield Town Hall, Market Place, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 1EA
On our 200th Birthday we’re opening the doors to celebrate Macclesfield Old and New. Visit the Made in Macc market, learn about local clubs and volunteering opportunities, watch artists at work and learn about an exciting new local history project.
Saturday 9 September: 10:30am – 2:30pm
St Michael and All Angels’ Church Heritage Open Day
St. Michael & All Angels Church, Market Place, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 1DY
Our special 2023 Heritage Open day to celebrate the centenary of our wonderful church bells!
As part of the event, we will be hosting tours up to the ringing room and video footage of the bell tower will be broadcast on the big screen. We will also have live bell ringing demonstrations and opportunities to have a go yourself!
Saturday 9 September: 10am – 3pm
MADS Little Theatre
Mads Little Theatre, Lord Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 6SY
Macclesfield Amateur Dramatic Society opens its doors for visitors to see and be taken round our Little Theatre, a Grade II listed building, all ready, front- and back-stage, for an upcoming performance.
Saturday 9 September: 1030-1600
Hare Hill
National Trust Hare Hill, Prestbury Road, Over Alderley, Macclesfield, Cheshire
A tranquil wooded garden, surrounded by historic parkland, with a delightful walled garden at its heart.
Our glorious Walled Garden is the ideal place to relax. Take a leisurely stroll around the white borders, and enjoy the many varieties of plants and fragrances. Take a seat on one of the benches, enjoy a book and listen to the birdsong,
For families, explore the natural play area which is a haven for kids and and enjoy the changing colours on a ramble through the Wooded Garden.
Saturday 9 September: 1030-1700 (last entry at 1630)
St George’s Church, Poynton
Poynton Parish Church, Fountain Close, Poynton, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 1NH
Church, and bell tower, open! Come and explore the history of Poynton’s parish church. Silver and textiles on display. Activity sheets for children.
Saturday 16 September: 1000-1500
Unwrapping Quarry Bank
National Trust, Quarry Bank Mill, Quarry Bank Road, Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4LA
Unwrap Quarry Bank’s creativity, past and present, with a pop up display showcasing the artistic and creative enterprises of the Greg family and their modern day counterparts; our staff and volunteers looking after Quarry Bank today.
We are unwrapping Quarry Bank’s creativity in a pop-up display, inviting you to look beyond our industrial façade. Whilst keen business runners, the Greg family were also keen artists and recorded their adventures both at home and abroad in watercolours, pencil drawings and even photographs. Step back into their world to see what creativity meant to them and get a glimpse behind Quarry Bank’s industrial founders.
Saturday 16 September: 1030-1700.
Sunday 17 September: 1030-1700.
Biddulph Grange Garden
Biddulph Grange National Trust, Grange Road, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST8 7SD
Biddulph Grange Garden is opening its gates for visitors to see the full beauty of the garden, including the Geological Gallery which was the original entrance to the garden. The gate along the Bateman walk from the churchyard will also be open.
Friday 15 September: 1000-1700
Saturday 16 September: 1000-1700
Little Moreton Hall
National Trust, Little Moreton Hall, Newcastle Road, Moreton, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 4SD
Visit this iconic Tudor manor house that will take your breath away with its wonky angles and quirky character.
Built to impress by craftsmen’s hands more than 500 years ago, the hall, with its crooked walls and uneven floors, may seem fragile but it’s a remarkable survivor.
Step inside the Tudor wonder that is Little Moreton Hall and let your imaginations run wild as you tour the rooms and discover stories from the past five centuries. Meet our Living History costumed guides who will tell you tales of how the Tudors lived.
Saturday 9 September: 1100-1700 (last entry at 1630)
Rubbish to Resource – See your recycling in action
Longley Lane, Sharston, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M22 4RQ
Behind the scenes at the recycling centre.
Join us to find out exactly what happens to the recycling from Greater Manchester once your bin has been collected. Discover how the state-of-the-art technology in our Materials Recovery Facility sorts and separates the recycling ready to be transformed into something new.
Friday 8 September: 1000-1200
Wednesday 13 September: 1400-1600 or 1800-2000
Stockport Garrick Theatre
Stockport Garrick Theatre Ltd, Exchange Street, Stockport, Greater Manchester, SK3 0EJ
Take a backstage guided tour of Stockport Garrick Theatre. Audience members usually only see the public rooms and the auditorium, this is an opportunity to look behind the scenes. Plus a history presentation and photo ops.
Saturday 16 September: On the half hour between 1030-1200 & 1330-1500
