How to visit 54 attractions in Cornwall for FREE this September

From 11-20 September 2026, Cornwall takes part in the nationwide Heritage Open Days festival.

Each September, thousands of historic sites across the country open their doors for free, including places that are normally closed or charge admission. The programme includes everything from medieval churches and stately homes to archives, gardens and industrial landmarks.

In Cornwall, that means you can step inside mines, manor houses, and military sites, join guided walks and talks, and discover hidden corners of the county’s past without paying a penny!

Dozens of local events run this year, with some offering special tours and exhibitions that are only available during the festival.

Here’s the complete guide to what’s on across Cornwall in 2026.

Torpoint & the Rame Peninsula

• Antony House, Torpoint – Multiple dates. Free entry throughout the festival, house and gardens.
• Antony House: Vintage Book Fair – Multiple dates. Second-hand and vintage titles.
• Antony House: VE-Day 80 walking talk – Multiple dates. Stories of Antony and Torpoint in WW2.
• Views of History, Maker Heights – 12 Sept. History of the fortifications through the stories behind the views.
• RCT Members Walk, Maker Heights – 12 Sept. WW2 Anti-Aircraft battery interpreted.
• World War Two and Beyond, Maker Heights – 12 Sept. Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, Command Post, Cold War observation post.
• A Hidden Gem of History, Maker Heights – 13 Sept. Inside Maker Redoubt No. 5.
• World War Two in the Air, Maker Heights – 13 Sept. WW2 air battle above Plymouth Sound.
• 32nd Cornwall Regiment of Foot, Maker Heights – Multiple dates. Re-enactment group camp at Redoubt No. 2.
• Visit Cotehele for free, Saltash – Multiple dates.
• Cotehele: Stories from the Stones – 14 Sept.
• Cotehele: Architectural Tour of Cotehele – 15 Sept.

West Cornwall

• Explore the fogous of West Cornwall, Carn Euny Ancient Village, Sancreed – 17 Sept.
• A Guided Tour at Chysauster Ancient Village – 15 Sept.
• Romans in Cornwall, Chysauster Ancient Village – 20 Sept.
• Trengwainton Garden, Penzance – Multiple dates. Free entry 13-17 & 20 Sept (closed Fri & Sat), sensory trail.
• Echoes of Industry: Exploring Levant and the Tin Coast, Levant Mine and Beam Engine – Multiple dates.
• Levant Mine – Multiple dates. Free tours 13-16 Sept.
• What is a fogou?, Halliggye Fogou, Trelowarren Estate, Helston – 17 Sept.
• Lizard Wireless Station Open Days, The Lizard, Helston – 13 Sept.
• Godolphin, Helston – Multiple dates. Free entry for the festival.
• Canons through the ages, St Mawes Castle – 19 Sept.
• Punishment in the tower, St Mawes Castle – 15 Sept.
• Women’s lives in WW2, Pendennis Castle, Falmouth – 16 Sept.
• Glendurgan Garden, Falmouth – Multiple dates.
• St Leonards Chapel, St Ives – 16 Sept. Fishermen’s Chapel, hidden historic treasure.
• St Ives Huers Hut – 16 Sept. Ground floor open, normally inaccessible.
• St Ives Blockhouse – 16 Sept. On The Island, overlooking St Ives Bay.

North Cornwall

• Discover St Breward – 20 Sept. Online & in person, free illustrated map, 30+ places of interest.
• The Blacksmith, The Forge & The Canal – Everyday History Heroes, The Castle Heritage Centre, Bude – Multiple dates.
• Hobbacott Canal Incline, Stratton, Bude – 20 Sept. 200-year-old canal incline, longest of its kind, not normally open.
• Feasts at the castle, Castle Lodge, Launceston – 13 Sept.
• Explore Cyprus Well, Launceston – 19 Sept. Home of poet Charles Causley.
• National Trust Tintagel Old Post Office – Multiple dates. Free entry for non-members 14 & 20 Sept, book online.

Mid Cornwall

• Bodmin materials recycling facility – 12 Sept.
• Pop-up Museum in the Courtyard at Bodmin Keep – 19 Sept.
• Bodmin’s Military History Walking Tour, Bodmin Keep – 19 Sept.
• From Royal Residence to Romantic Ruin, Restormel Castle, Lostwithiel – Multiple dates.
• Trerice, National Trust, Newquay – 20 Sept. Free entry, gardens and house history.
• Moseley Heritage Museum, Redruth – Multiple dates. Toys, trains, train rides, family fun.
• Hallenbeagle materials recycling facility, Redruth – 19 Sept.
• Special Access behind-the-scenes tours at Kresen Kernow, Redruth – Multiple dates.
• Liskeard Unlocked – Multiple dates across the festival. A season-long town-wide programme covering guided walks, church and heritage building openings (Stuart House, St Martin’s Church, Freemasons Lodge, Graylands mansion), the historic Pipewell, arts and crafts at Boost House, and museum trails at Liskeard & District Museum. See the full Liskeard Unlocked programme for exact dates and times.

See all information on the Heritage Open Days website.

Quick facts for 2026 📅

• Dates: 11–20 September 2026
• In-person events: 54 across Cornwall
• Online events: 1 available anytime
• No booking required: 27 events
• Pre-booking essential: Popular sites including Levant Mine, Kresen Kernow, and Chysauster Ancient Village