On the heritage trail
Have you marked the dates 12 – 21 September in your diary yet?
If not, make sure you do, as the annual Heritage Open Days provide a fantastic opportunity to take a privileged peak behind the scenes at some of our finest and most interesting buildings.
And the idea is not limited to the UK – citizens from across Europe will be out and about visiting their own architectural gems on 13 and 14 September!
The initiative was launched by the Council of Europe in 1985 to promote awareness of our continent’s cultural heritage and was supported by the European Union. From a small number of participants at its outset, it now involves over 50 countries.
The theme chosen for 2025, Architectural Heritage: Windows to the Past, Doors to the Future ‘emphasizes the artistic and technical achievements of architecture, showcasing everything from grand monuments in bustling cities to vernacular buildings in rural areas. It highlights how architecture goes beyond mere functionality, serving as a powerful symbol of local and national histories, cultural identity, and collective memory’.
Events and activities planned in the UK include tours of theatres, churches, Roman forts, dockyards and even bowling clubs. Luxembourg’s offering includes torchlight castle visits and Belgium’s programme has a definite foody flavour with an opportunity to explore monuments and sample local fare. In France, the SNCF is showcasing the history and culture of rail travel, and across Europe events will be held to mark the centenary of the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts that established the Art Deco movement as a global phenomenon.
I’m fortunate enough to live in a delightful area that boasts a fine built and natural heritage, so I’ll have no shortage of activities to choose from!
However, heritage isn’t just for a few days in September! All the stunning architecture and historical attractions are, of course, there to be explored all year round.
Shortly after the Heritage Days, I’ll be attending an event at the Burrell Collection in Glasgow along with the ITI’s Media, Arts and Tourism network and then, in October, will be able to admire some UNESCO World Heritage sites in Trier and Strasbourg and make a much-anticipated trip to Roubaix to see La Piscine, an Art Deco swimming baths now converted into a museum.
Take a look at the websites to see what’s on offer during Heritage Days 2025.
What will be on your list?
Janice Crossfield
September 2025
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