Heritage Open Days 2026

Heritage Open Days in South Derbyshire,  is a place of hidden histories just waiting to be discovered.

• Home to Vikings and the resting place of Mercian Kings;
• A place of industry since the 12c, through the mining of coal and scouring of clay pits, its pots and pipes brought sanitation to the world, and blue and white striped pottery to the domestic household;
• Timber-framed manor houses and neglected stately homes tell their own tales of extreme wealth and striking poverty;
• The invention of rim-flushing toilets, steam trains and racing cars have left their own inescapable legacies.

South Derbyshire and our Heritage Trails are open all year round, but for Heritage Open Days we have some very special places and collections for you to discover:

Everyday lives, and more curiosities

Saturday 12 September: Church open: 12 noon-4pm. Tours: 12 noon – 4:00pm tours take approximately one hour and are limited to 15 people each

Sunday 13 September: 12 noon-4pm. Tours: 12 noon – 4:00pm tours take approximately one hour and are limited to 15 people each

St Wilfrid’s Church, Church Lane, Barrow on Trent, Derbyshire, DE73 7HB

Tel: 07887 656948

Swad Heritage Fest 2026

Saturday 12th September 11am to 5.00pm 

Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, West Street, Swadlincote, DE11 9DG

Exploring the work, home life, social life of local people in the 1960’s. Join us for a weekend of fun, music and all things Heritage!

Tel: 01283 222600

Calke Abbey

Saturday 19 September, usual opening hours

Ticknall, Derbyshire, DE73 7JF

Tel: 01332 863822

St Mary’s Church and Hilton & Marston History Society

Saturday 19 September: 11am to 4pm 

Sunday 20 September: 12:30pm to 4pm

Marston Lane, Marston on Dove, Derbyshire DE65 5GB

Tel: 07977 067585

Hartshorne Upper Hall

Saturday 20 September: Doors open at 1.30pm; tours from 2pm until 5pm

10 Main Street, Hartshorne, Swadlincote DE11 7ES

Tel: 01283 222797 – Pre booking essential

Notable graves of Church Gresley Cemetery 

Sunday 20th September at 12 noon

Walking tour last approximately one and a half hours and places must be pre-booked: parksandgreenspaces@southderbyshire.gov.uk

Swadlincote District (Church Gresley) Cemetery, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 9QQ