Heritage open days 2022

Throughout September thousands of historic attractions open their doors for free to celebrate our rich culture and heritage.

Staff and volunteers across England share their love and knowledge of our special places and offer a wealth of opportunities to learn more about history, art, culture and architecture.

Heritage Open Days run between 9 – 18 September 2022. For a full list of events nationwide visit their online event directory.

We’ve highlighted our favourites across West Sussex – come and find yours!

Petworth

Petworth House and Park

Set on a 700-acre deer park and cloaked in over 900 years of history, this Heritage Open Day is not one to be missed.

The National Trust displays some of the finest art in Petworth House, a building inspired by the Baroque Palaces of Europe. Take a step back in time and explore the breathtaking architecture of the 17th Century building, nestled in the heart of The South Downs.

Event Times

Saturday 10 September: 10:00 – 16:30
Sunday 11 September: 10:00 – 16:30

Location

National Trust, Petworth House, Church Street, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0AE

Petworth Heritage Weekend: Town Walking Tours

Explore Leconfield Hall, Egremont Row and Percy Terrace on this fantastic Petworth Walking Tour.

Take in the town and hear from locals about the rich history and heritage of Petworth, starting from Petworth House Church Lodge entrance.

Event Times

Saturday 10 September: Tours at 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30
Sunday 11 September: Tours at 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30

Location

St Mary’s Church, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0JG

Burton Mill

This fantastic working watermill produces stoneground flour and hydroelectricity! Explore the small exhibition telling a story of times past, enjoying the history of milling in Sussex.

Event Times

Saturday 10 September: 11:00 – 16:00
Sunday 11 September: 11:00 – 16:00

Location

Burton Mill, Burton Park Road, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0JR

Chichester and surrounding

Explore 200 years of Chichester Canal Heritage

This award-winning heritage centre will open its doors for two fantastic trails. An opportunity for visitors young and old to experience the history of the canal through crafts and displays.

Event Times

Saturday 10 September: Family activities will run 10:00 – 15:00

Location

Chichester Canal Trading Co Ltd, Canal Wharf, Stockbridge Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8DT

The Graylingwell Chapel

This recently refurbished chapel was originally built in 1897 to serve the patients of West Sussex County Asylum. This spectacular building has to be seen to be believed.

Bring the kids along too to enjoy the preschooler play area or outside playground!

Event Times

Friday 9 September: 09:00 – 17:00. Free tours at 14:00
Saturday 10 September: 09:00 – 17:00. Free tours at 14:00

Monday 12 September – Saturday 17 September: 09:00 – 17:00.
Free tours at 14:00

Location

The Water Tower, Blomfield Drive, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6BZ

Arundel Museum Heritage Open Day

Arundel Town, river and castle are cloaked in history and heritage.

Experience artefacts from Roman times, crafts and castle history in the museum, set in the heart of Arundel.

Event Times

Saturday 10 September: 10:00 – 16:00

Location

Arundel Museum, Mill Road, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9PA

Crawley

Ifield Watermill

Ifield Watermill is only open to the public for a select number of days across summer!

Experience the beauty, power and tranquillity of the watermill, the second largest waterwheel in Sussex. With four floors for visitors to explore which tell the fascinating story of the watermill’s history, its use as an iron forge and later as a corn mill as well as its vital restoration work.

Event Times

Sunday 11 September: 14:30 – 17:00

Location

Off Hyde Drive, Crawley , West Sussex, RH11 0PL

East Grinstead

Sackville House

You’ll escape the modern day when you visit Sackville House! Built about 1520, this substantial timber-framed house with rooms of wood and lime plaster and the patina of centuries past is a charming, atmospheric landmark.

Event Times

Saturday 10 September: 10:00 – 16:00
Sunday 11 September: 10:00 – 16:00

Location

70 High Street, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3DE

Steyning

“A Norman gem – the best in Sussex” – Our Church of St. Andrew and St. Cuthman

Explore the splendid Norman Church, learn about its history, and see its magnificent nave and Romanesque sculpture.

Event Times

Saturday 17 September: 11:00 – 16:00, talk at 12:00, organ concert at 14:00
Sunday 18 September: 12:00 – 16:00, talk at 13:00, organ concert at 15:00

Location

Vicarage Lane, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3RS

Shoreham-By-Sea

Self-guided Shoreham-by-Sea Gadget Trail

Venues across Shoreham-by-Sea will be displaying ‘curious’ gadgets in their windows and participants can ‘Guess the Gadget’ on social media in the preceding weeks.

Event Times

Saturday 17 September: 10:00 – 17:00
Saturday 18 September: 10:00 – 17:00

Location

The Shoreham Centre, Pond Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5WU

Haslemere

Camelsdale Primary School Open Day

Why not come and visit the first school built by West Sussex County Council in 1904?  Enjoy a guided tour and afternoon tea at Camelsdale Primary School and browse their extensive history archive, old-school log books and photograph albums.

Event Times

Sunday 18 September: 14:00 – 16:00

Location

Camelsdale Primary School, School Road, Haslemere, West Sussex, GU27 3RN

Haywards Heath

Nymans Gardens and House

One of the National Trust’s premier gardens, Nymans has views stretching across the Sussex Weald. Colourful summer borders, with rare and unusual plant collections, surround the comfortable yet elegant house, a partial ruin.

Discover secrets of Nymans on exclusive tours and sneak peeks of unseen areas this Heritage Open day.

Event Times

Friday 9 September 11:00 – 15:30 (Tours of the kitchen garden at 10:45 & 13:45)
Saturday 10 September 11:00 – 15:30 (Tours of the kitchen garden at 10:45 & 13:45)

Location

Nymans, Staplefield Road, Handcross, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6EB

For a full list of Heritage Open Days events in West Sussex, click here.