By Harry Mottram: Thousands of places in England take part in the Heritage Open Days in September – many organise events to celebrate our history and culture by throwing open the doors of museums, churches, historic homes and gardens. It’s your chance to see some of these hidden places and have a good nose around. If you get organised it makes for a great day out visiting places in Bath you may not have been too – and all for free.
For more details and a full list including those not in Bath and many in North East Somerset visit: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk
These are the ones I’ve picked out in Bath:
Albert Mill: Multiple dates available Dapps Hill, Keynsham, Dapps Hill, Bristol, Bristol, BS31 1UL. Albert Mill is an historic Logwood Mill on the River Chew.
American Museum & Gardens. 13 Sep. Claverton Manor, Claverton, Bath, Somerset, BA2 7BD.
Bath Elim Church: Past, Present & Beyond. Elim Pentecostal Church, Charlotte Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2ND. 19 Sep. A unique 10-sided decagon church.
Bath Jewish Burial Ground 13 Sep. Greendown Place, Bradford Road, Combe Down, Bath, Somerset, BA2 5DD. Resting place of Bath’s Jewish community in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Bath on Film. 15 Sep 2026 Museum of Bath At Work, Julian Road, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2RH. A selection of short documentary films made about Bath.
Church of Our Lady and St Alphege, Bath. Multiple dates. Oldfield Lane, Bath, Somerset, BA2 3AD. The church was built in 1929 and designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.
Community Connections Fair 20 Sep 2026 Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Road, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2RH. Free community fair celebrating local heritage, connections and peace, with displays, craft activities, live music, demonstrations and guided tours.
Discovering The Romans: Everyday Archaeology, Amazing Lives 17 Sep 2026 Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre, Swallow Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1RB. Ages 16+, booking essential.
Eyre Chantry Chapel. 17 Sep 2026 Perrymead Cemetery, Popes Walk, Bath, Somerset, BA2 5AZ. The Eyre Chapel is a gem of ecclesiastic Victorian architecture.
Lansdown Store tour – Splendid Spa. 15 Sep. Local History Store, Lansdown. Precise location and directions will be shared upon booking. Bath, Somerset, BA1 9BJ In person Pre-booking required. Discover the treatments & equipment used in Bath.
Let Nature Work its Magic: Three naturalists who loved birds. 12 Sep 2026 Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2HN. The exhibit introduces the work of three 19th Century naturalists.
Life and Lodging on Abbey Green: Elton House Open Days
Multiple dates available. 2 Abbey Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1NN In person Pre-booking preferred
Last opened for Heritage Open Days in 2018, Elton House is in the very centre of Bath, close to the Abbey.
Lights! Camera! Action! History of Cinema Going in Bath 15 Sep 2026 Museum of Bath At Work, Julian Road, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2RH. Illustrated talk to accompany the ‘Lights! Camera! Action!
Locksbrook Campus. Multiple dates available Locksbrook Campus, Locksbrook Road, Bath, Somerset, BA1 3EL. Bath Spa University’s Locksbrook Campus houses our courses in the School of Design and the School of Art Film and Media.
Museum of Bath Stone Open Weekend and Lives of the Quarrymen Display. Multiple dates available. 54a Combe Road, Combe Down, Bath, Somerset, BA2 5HZ. Discover the history of the village and stories of the lives of the quarrymen.
Prior Park Landscape Garden
Multiple dates available. Prior Park Landscape Garden, Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, Somerset, BA2 5AH In person. Georgian landscape garden in Bath with one of only four Palladian bridges in the world.
Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre Tour. Multiple dates available Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre, Swallow Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1RB In person Pre-booking required.
Service and Splendour – the other side of Georgian Bath.
18 Sep 2026 Bath & N E Somerset Council, Guildhall, High Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5AW In person Pre-booking required.
Southcot Burial Ground. 19 Sep. Bottom of Lyncombe Hill, Widcombe, Bath, Somerset, BA2 4PG. A hidden oasis in the centre of Bath.
12 Sep. St Stephen’s Church, Lansdown Road, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5SX. Hear about St Stephen’s illustrious past.
The Mayor’s Parlour. Multiple dates available. Guildhall, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5AW. Celebrating over 800 years of history – see the City’s Royal Charters, gold & silver collection, ceremonial maces, sword & robes.
Victoria Art Gallery – Store tour. 11 Sep 2026 Victoria Art Gallery, Bridge Street, Bath, Somerset, BA2 4AT In person Pre-booking required. Join us at the Victoria Art Gallery and explore the wonderful collection housed in the art stores.
Walcot Methodist Chapel
Multiple dates available Walcot Methodist Chapel, Nelson Place East, London Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5DA In person Pre-booking not required. The original ‘Walcot Chapel’ is the oldest Methodist chapel in Bath. It is a place of worship for the congregation of Bath Methodist Church on Sundays and open for other activities and community groups during the week.
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The former editor Harry Mottram is a freelance journalist with his own website with more stories on a variety of subjects at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/
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