Heritage Open Days 2025 Applications Open

Redditch Borough Council has once again started the process to compile all the Heritage Open Days events taking place in the borough.

Every year, the National Trust and National Lottery Heritage Fund come together to support local heritage organisations put on events under the Heritage Open Days banner.

This year the theme is Architecture: Buildings, Bridges, and Beehives – but events do not necessarily have to tightly relate to the theme.

In Redditch, and Bromsgrove, our Leisure and Culture team support our local event holders to then promote and market their events as part of the collective offering in the area, as well as general support. 2025 marks the third year of taking this approach, and it continues to grow in success – in 2024 locations saw upwards of 800 visitors across their events.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr. Juliet Barker Smith, said: “Every year, across the country, the Heritage Open Days event gives the local community a chance to explore sites of historical and cultural interest, for free.  As a Council, we are passionate about breaking down barriers to new experiences, both for local people and those exploring Redditch for the first time, as a rich, cultural destination.  We are very grateful to the volunteers who work tirelessly in a number of historical locations to enable these events to happen every year.”

Heritage Open Days asks organisers to hold free events at places which either do not typically hold any events or which are usually chargeable.

For 10 days, 12^th to the 21^st September 2025, the festival aims to reduce barriers to access for our residents to enjoy the heritage and culture Redditch has to offer.

This year there is the opportunity to apply for £350 of funding to support putting on an event. Designed to support organisers who have never hosted and event before and are championed under-represented history. To find out more, you can visit: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/resource/micro-grants-for-new-organisers.html

If you are interested in potentially organising an event for this year’s festival, get in touch with the team at renew@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk to discuss your ideas.