An eye-opening museum stuffed with glasses, a bat walk through a cemetery and a trip to an integrated waste management facility.
All feature as part of the Heritage Open Days taking place this year, running from 11-20 September 2026.
In all, we’ve counted 44 London-based happenings this year, at the city’s museums, palaces, mills, churches, cemeteries and various other cultural nooks and crannies. It’s all free, and a lot of events don’t even require pre-booking.
Here’s a selection of events ruffling our truffles:
♻️ “Let’s all take a trip to Southwark Integrated Waste Management Facility!” said no one ever… until now, that is. This family-friendly ‘Wonder Day’ shows you what happens to your recycling once it’s taken away, plus there are upcycling and craft workshops; a display of vehicles that work on-site; and a bouncy castle. (12 Sept)
🐟 Visit the moated manor at Scadbury, replete with excavations of Tudor great hall and kitchens. (12-13 Sept)
📻 The place we once suggested might be the best shed museum anywhere, Dulwich’s British Vintage Wireless and Television Museum is also home to the terrifying Stooky Bill (12 and 20 Sept)
🦇 Bat expert Kenneth Greenway bids you to bring a torch, in order to light your way through Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park in search of resident bats. (13 Sept)
👓 The British Optical Association Museum is “the only museum where the exhibits look at you!” We visited recently, and would highly recommend this eye-opening experience. (13 Sept)
♀️ From organists to bellringers, and scientists to suffragettes, discover the stories of the women connected to St Alfege Church through the centuries. (20 Sept)
All Heritage Open Days events are free to visit/do, but you’ll need to book in advance for some. Peruse the calendar and plan from there.
Mid-September also sees the separately organised Open House Festival (12-20 Sept), which has now published a rundown of 600+ venues/tours which opening to the public.
Heritage Open Days, 11-20 September 2026.
