Heritage Open Days: The Full Warrington List 2024

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture. Each year, venues across the country throw open their doors and give people the chance to see hidden places and try new experiences for free.

Between 6th September and 15th September 2024 Warrington will be celebrating how people and ideas have moved around and come together throughout history. The transport routes, communication networks, trade unions and social clubs. The travellers who have spread ideas and the hosts who welcome them. There are so many stories on our doorsteps just waiting to be uncovered.

Click here for the full PDF list of events – WBC Heritage Open Days 2024 E-Doc

Throughout Heritage Open Days

• Visit the Wharf Wide Web for Heatherfield Heritage’s video series exploring how the canals surrounding Warrington were the nexus to a global network for over 200 years, and how it helped shape the industrial revolution.

Saturday 7^th September

• Visit the 18th century grade II listed St Mary’s Church in Great Sankey between 10 am – 2 pm and learn more about this place of worship and its people over the years. A wonderful mix of old and new elements, the building underwent a major restoration in 2008.
• Take a Journey into Padgate and Fearnhead’s Past at Padgate Library between 10.30 am – 12.30 am and find out more about Padgate and Fearnhead through photographs and maps or bring along your own photographs and memories to share in the group’s project to record the changing face of the district.
• Take part in Old Billy’s Homecoming Parade and workshop for the oldest horse in the world at Westy Community Centre in Latchford. The pre-parade workshop st 12.30 pm involves customising your very own party hat and learning a song and dance for the parade. Join the parade itself at 1.30 pm where you are invited to promenade through Latchford Carnival of Creativity, singing and dancing along the way, while learning about Old Billy’s life in 1800s Warrington. All ages welcome!
• Join us to make Hobby Horses in our fabulous crafternoon activity at Warrington Museum & Art Gallery between 1 pm and 3 pm in honour of the return of Old Billy – the oldest horse in the big, wide world – to his home town.
• Meet members of the Battle of Winwick Society dressed in authentic Civil War costume at St Oswald’s Church in Winwick between 11 am and 4 pm. The Society – who are offering an introductory talk at 12 noon – have created a dramatic and accurate re-enactment of the lifestyle and conditions endured by the defeated Royalist prisoners after the Battle of Winwick in 1648.

Sunday 8th September

• Walton Hall will be open for visitors between 1100 and 1600 to look around the Hall and view an exhibition showing the history of the Hall and Gardens with Volunteers available to answer any questions. Guided tours and activity packs available on request.
• Members of the Battle of Winwick Society dressed in authentic Civil War costume will be at St Oswald’s Church in Winwick again between 12 noon and 3 pm. The Society have created a dramatic and accurate re-enactment of the lifestyle and conditions endured by the defeated Royalist prisoners after the Battle of Winwick in 1648.
• St Mary’s Church in Great Sankey will be open again between 10 am – 2 pm offering a second chance to learn more about this place of worship and its people over the years.

• Meet at Orford Library at 12 noon for a Gallivant Around Orford Park and its environs to discover more about the history of this important town centre green space. Learn about the prehistoric Orford axe and the true story of John Blackburne’s ghostly pineapple!

Saturday 14th September

• LAST FEW PLACES AVAILABLE!!! Book your place here for a Guided Walk to Warrington Transporter Bridge, meeting at 47 Old Liverpool Road at 4 pm.
• Visit the conservation village of Walton, Warrington for the St John The Evangelist Open Day between 10.30 am and 4 pm. Described as a mini-cathedral, the church was built by Sir Gilbert Greenall for the Walton estate workers, the church was built in the gothic style in 1885 out of Cheshire sandstone.
• Visit Warrington Museum of Freemasonry in Warrington Masonic Hall in Winmarleigh Street between 10 am and 5 pm for a guided tour of the building including the Lodge rooms. An opportunity to find out the truth about Freemasonry and dispel the myths!
• Explore St Matthews Church in Stretton between 10 am and 4 pm to discover its heritage and local history with visits to the tower to learn about bell ringing.
• Experience the Museum of Policing In Cheshire’s annual open day between 1000 and 1600. Visit a Victorian cell, dress up in a police uniform. Learn about the many investigations that have taken place in Cheshire over the years. Visit and speak to our firearms officers, drone unit officers and public order officers … and much, much more.
• Visit the Wire 2 Wolves Warrington Wolves Rugby League Heritage Event at Halliwell Stadium between 10 am and 2 pm where The Warrington Wolves will open the South Stand of the Stadium for the public to view the heritage timeline of Town and Club. Past Players will support with tours and talks.
• Warrington Town Hall will be open for visitors to look around between 10 am and 1 pm as part of the national Heritage Open Days. Free and everyone welcome to drop. Volunteers will be on hand throughout the visit to speak with guests. No booking required.
• Enjoy an oasis of calm, peace and beauty in the centre of Warrington at Cairo Street Chapel between 10 am and 4 pm. The attractive gardens are often called the hidden gem of Warrington. Discover 300 years of Warrington’s history and how the chapel was instrumental in the Cultural development of the town.
• Take a peek into Latchford’s heritage with photographs, maps, books and displays at Latchford Local History Day in St James Church, Latchford between 11 am and 3 pm.
• Learn to  make your own Doodle Maps in our crafternoon activity at Warrington Museum & Art Gallery between 1 pm and 3 pm in honour of this year’s Heritage Open Day them of routes, networks and connections.

Sunday 15th September

• Another chance to visit Warrington Museum of Freemasonry at the Masonic Hall, Warrington, between 10 am and 5 pm.
• You have another chance to visit Cairo Street Chapel between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Music, dance, food and traditional arts and crafts bring sights, sounds and spicy aromas from around the globe to Palmyra Square between 11 am and 5 pm for Warrington Mela so why not join us to celebrate Warrington’s diverse heritage and help us develop community cohesion.

Click here for the full PDF list of events – WBC Heritage Open Days 2024 E-Doc