Due to COVID-19 restrictions this year’s event is smaller than usual, however there are still opportunities to visit buildings, gardens and places of historic interest not normally open to the public, free of charge. In addition, some venues are also offering virtual tours.

One of this year’s highlights is a Great Fire of Warwick Walk on Friday 11 September. The 90-minute walk, which has been organised by volunteers from a number of the town’s heritage sites will follow the route of the Fire taking in the Lord Leycester Hospital, Court House, St Mary’s Church and Market Hall Museum. 

Volunteer organiser Sue Rigby commented;

“This walk has been the result of a successful collaboration between Heritage Culture Warwickshire, Lord Leycester Hospital, St Mary’s Church and Unlocking Warwick. We are very excited to have been able to work together to tell people about this momentous event in Warwick’s history as part of Heritage Open Days”.

Other local sites opening during the festival include Warwick Castle who will be offering a fascinating evening lecture with their history team, Guy’s Cliffe Walled Garden, Hill Close Gardens, Foundry Wood, the Polish Centre, St Mary’s Allotments and Bagot’s Castle. A number of churches will also be open to visitors. The event will finish on Sunday 20 September when Spencer Yard, in Leamington’s Old Town will have completed its transformation to an outdoor gallery for the ‘Paint the Yard’ Street Art Festival.

The Chairman of Warwick District Council, Councillor Martyn Ashford commented;

“The Council is pleased to have been able to support and coordinate the district’s annual Heritage Open Days Festival, in challenging circumstances. I would like to thank the large number of volunteers who have given up their time to organise the fantastic range of activities taking place this year.”

A guide listing all the venues taking part and opening times is available from the Leamington and Warwick visitor information centres, Shire Hall, Warwick and Leamington Town Hall. Further information on Heritage Open Days in Warwick District.

The Great Fire of Warwick Walk can be booked through the Warwick Visitor Information Centre.