Free Heritage Open Days Events for Families in Northamptonshire

Heritage Open Days is back across Northamptonshire from 11 to 20 September 2026, with historic houses, gardens and hidden spaces throwing open their doors for free — and I’ve pulled together the family-friendly ones worth putting in the diary.

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, and every September venues that don’t normally offer free entry (or don’t normally open to the public at all) let everyone in for nothing. Some of the events below need pre-booking, so I’d get those sorted sooner rather than later — spaces on guided tours especially tend to go quickly.

If you’re the kind of family who’s always on the hunt for a free day out in Northamptonshire, this is a brilliant week to make the most of it.

At a glance

Lamport Hall: Everyday Histories Tour

Lamport Hall is running free guided tours on Friday 11 September, giving you an hour with a guide learning about the Isham family, their collection, and the architecture of the Hall itself. There’s also a small exhibition on the everyday histories of the people who lived and worked at Lamport, plus a large exhibition of art from local artists in the gardens, which are free to explore. The café and gift shop will be open all day too.

• When: Friday 11 September, 10am–4pm. Tours run at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm and last around an hour.
• Where: Lamport Hall, Lamport, Northampton, NN6 9HD. Enter through the Four Acre gate on the Old Road.
• Booking: Pre-booking is preferred for tours (not required for the gardens) via Lamport Hall’s website.
• Good to know: Some garden paths have deep gravel, and the Hall itself is only accessible downstairs.

Delapré Abbey: The Workers of Delapré Abbey

Delapré Abbey is opening up its hidden side this year, with guided tours exploring the lives of the people who actually kept the Abbey running — from medieval lay brothers through to Victorian and Edwardian servants. There are house tours included in general admission, plus a separate, bookable attic tour that takes you up the Abbey’s original medieval spiral staircase into the unrenovated attics, then down into the old cellars.

• When: Sunday 13, Wednesday 16, Thursday 17 and Sunday 20 September. House open 11am–4pm (last entry 3pm).
• Cost: £5 for over-18s. House tours run at 11:30am, 1pm and 2pm. Attic tours (booking required) run at 12pm, 1pm and 2:30pm.
• Where: Delapré Abbey, London Road, Northampton, NN4 8AW.
• Booking: Attic tours need to be booked in advance.

If you’ve not been to Delapré before, it’s well worth a wander even outside of events — I’ve written more about what’s on there for families if you want to plan a proper visit.

Kelmarsh Hall & Gardens: Gardens Through Time

Kelmarsh Hall is opening its Grade II listed gardens for Heritage Open Days, with a focus on how the gardens themselves have changed over time — from their Nancy Lancaster-designed heyday through to today. It’s a lovely spot for a wander, with a sunken garden, walled garden and woodland walk to explore.

• When: 12 September, 11am–3pm.
• Where: Kelmarsh Hall, Main Road, Kelmarsh, Northampton, NN6 9LY.

Pack the nature scavenger hunt for this one — the woodland walk and gardens are perfect for it.

Daventry: Everyday History Walking Tour

If you fancy something a bit more low-key, Daventry Town Council is running a free walking tour with the National Trust, taking in the story behind the town centre, its buildings and the people who’ve lived there. It’s led by local historian Susan and includes headsets so you can hear clearly even with the bustle of the town around you.

• When: Saturday 19 September, 10.30am. The tour takes around an hour, with time for questions at the end.
• Where: Meet outside Sheaf Street Health Store, Daventry.
• Good to know: Family friendly, polite dogs welcome, and free. Free parking is recommended at the cinema car park, Saint James car park or Newland’s car park, which all allow up to 3 hours.

Stanwick Lakes: 5,000 Years of Everyday Life

Stanwick Lakes always puts on a brilliant Heritage Open Day, and this year it’s exploring 5,000 years of everyday life in the Nene Valley. Expect a Viking camp, a Roman camp, blacksmithing demonstrations from John Wills, a heritage trail with marker stones to discover, heritage gardens, a museum, and hands-on nature craft activities running throughout the day.

• When: Sunday 20 September, 10am–4pm.
• Where: Stanwick Lakes, Stanwick, Wellingborough, NN9 6GY.
• Booking: No pre-booking needed, just turn up.
• Parking: Usual car parking charges apply (up to 2 hours £3.40, up to 4 hours £4.90, all day £6.40) as this helps fund the site’s conservation work.

Between the heritage trail and the woodland at Stanwick, this is another one where the nature scavenger hunt comes in handy if you’ve got littler ones who need a game to keep them going.

A few things to know before you go

• Always double-check details directly with the venue before you travel, particularly for anything requiring pre-booking, as details can change closer to the time.
• Most events are free, but a few (like Delapré Abbey’s attic tour) have separate charges or need advance booking.
• Wear comfortable shoes — several of these involve walking tours or gardens with gravel paths.

Want more free and low-cost ideas like this throughout the year? Have a look at my full guide to things to do in Northamptonshire for families, or sign up to my free weekly newsletter so you never miss what’s on.