About

11 to 20 September 2026

National Heritage Open Days are the largest festival of heritage in the country, giving visitors the opportunity to explore and discover our local history through talks, tours, walks, peeps behind the scenes, activities and events. All events and activities are FREE

Haden Hill House, Off Barrs Rd, B64 7JU. 01384 569 444        

The Enigma of Arrival: 19 and 20 September 2pm-6pm. Join us as we celebrate the Barbadian Heritage Project. Discover The Enigma of Arrival: The Politics and Poetics of Caribbean Migration—a weekend of travelling exhibition with stories, photographs, oral histories and entertainment.

Haden Old Hall Open Day. 19 September 2.30pm-4.30pm.  Visit the original house built on Haden Hill for the Haden family in the late 1600s. This building has a fascinating and chequered history! Please note accessibility for those with mobility problems is limited.  

Cellar Tours of Hade Old Hall. Friday 11 September. As part of Heritage Open Days we are giving you the opportunity to book onto one of our tours at 11am and 1pm down into the fascinating cellars of Haden Old Hall. Booking needed at 01384 569 444 or pop in to site when we are open.                  

Bishop Asbury Cottage. Newton Rd, B43 6HN  

Open Day Monday 14 10am-12pm   Visit the tiny childhood home of one of the most famous people of the 18th century you've probably never heard of and here his rise to fame! Francis Asbury is a significant historical character in 18th century American history, Discover his fascinating story for yourself.     

Bromwich Hall Museum–Hall Green Rd. B71 2EA. 0121 588 2985                                       

Open days – Tuesday 15 September, 12.30pm – 3pm and Thursday 17, 10am-1pm. Discover the fascinating story of this medieval house as you explore and learn about recent conservation works.  Just drop in.

Lost Cinemas of Sandwell  – Tuesday 15 September, 11am start. Join Sandwell Archives’ Maureen Waldron for a fascinating illustrated talk delving into going to the cinema in the past and the lost cinemas of what is now Sandwell. Free just turn up 

Tour and Talk - by former borough archaeologist Dr Mike Hodder. Friday 18 September 10.30am. Join us for a talk then tour about the  history of Bromwich Hall and medieval West Bromwich. Just turn up.

Bromwich Hall Alive- Medieval Mayhem. Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 11am-4pm. Join us for our medieval encampment, meet medieval characters rich and poor including the lord and lady of the manor and travel back with us to the Wars of the Roses period at the end of medieval times. See weapons demonstrations, fire power and archery and see knights fighting, young visitors can join knight school and you can play with children's archery, learn about medieval medicine and food and watch or join in with a medieval dance, see a medival comedy short performance and meet the Lord's horse. Make your own medieval floor tile to take home and join in with our quizzes and trails. Something for all ages to enjoy Free entry

 Oak House Museum: Oak Rd, West Bromwich, B70 8HJ. 0121 553 0759

Guided Tours. Join one of our guided tours and find out more about this fascinating site, West Bromwich in the 1600s and the Turton family. Tours available on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 September at 2pm. Book on arrival, site open 11am-4pm

Oak House Past—visit the Animal Room. Sunday 13 September 11am-1.30pm. Delve in to the museum’s past when it was full of taxidermy and curios. This is an area not usually open to the public. We will take you up in small groups.

Wednesbury Museum, Holyhead Rd, WS10 7DF– 0121 556 0683

The Extraordinary, Ordinary. Wednesdays and Thursdays 11am-4pm and Saturday 11am-2pm. Explore our exhibition showcasing the decorative and colourful things made in what is now Sandwell in the past from our museum collection such as stained glass, pottery, paintings and enamels. We have put some more items on display for Heritage Open Days. Free just pop in.

Lest We Forget—Forgotten Generations project. Saturday 12 11am-2pm. Discover the Lest We Forget written exhibition exploring the contribution of 7 black veterans, featuring 2 World War II veterans as well as those who served more recently. Visit this showcase day with further displays and talks about this project.

Galton Valley Pumping Station. Off Brasshouse Lane Smethwick, B66 1AQ

Open day- Saturday 19 September, 11:00am-3:00pm. Take a walk along the Old Mainline canal off Brasshouse Lane bridge at Smethwick and explore this little pumping station, which operated to regulate the water levels between the two canals. Just pop in

Smethwick Imaginarium. Visit the Galton Valley canals and enjoy the Canals and River’s Trust Art Trail. September 19. More information and map at https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/arts-and-culture-on-the-waterways/smethwick-imaginarium