History & Heritage Fun at Our FREE Weekend!

Heritage Open Days 2026 – “Everyday Histories”

This year’s Heritage Open Days theme is “Everyday Histories”, celebrating the ordinary lives, work and routines that have shaped communities across England.

Join us at Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings for a FREE weekend of history, heritage and family fun, with FREE museum admission on both days!

Discover how people lived, worked and played across 700 years of history as you explore our beautiful 19-acre museum. Wander through over 30 rescued and reconstructed historic buildings, enjoy interactive displays, have a go at traditional games and crafts, and uncover the stories of ordinary people who helped shape our past.

FREE Guided Tours

Join one of our guided tours, departing from the Counting House at 10.30am and 12.30pm each day.

Did you know buildings need rescuing too?

Explore more than 30 fascinating buildings that have been carefully rescued and rebuilt at Avoncroft, including a working windmill, medieval hall house, Victorian toll house, 1940s Prefab, and many more.

Travel through time with interactive exhibits including the National Collection of Telephone Kiosks and the beautifully restored Showman’s Wagon.

Meet the stories of millers, market gardeners, toll-house keepers, telephone operators, farmers and farriers, and discover how everyday people cooked, washed, worked, communicated and enjoyed their leisure time long before modern conveniences.

There’s something for everyone!

  • 🚂 Ride the Miniature Train all weekend for just £1
  • ☎️ Make a call from one of the Telephone Kiosks in the National Collection
  • 🌾 See our 200-year-old working Windmill (sailing subject to wind)
  • 🎨 Join in with traditional games and craft activities
  • 🖼️ Browse our Art Exhibition featuring original paintings of Avoncroft’s buildings and structures
  • 🎶 Enjoy performances by local community groups – Sunday   ’The Singing Villeins’ with The Cox-Thompson Family Jazz Band present a Heritage of Music concert and Someone at the Door – Samba Band
11:00am        -Someone at the Door – Samba Band
12:00 noon – Roaming  Villeins – A Capella Singing and Jazz Band
1:00pm        – Someone at the Door – Samba Band
2:00pm        -Roaming Villeins – A Capella Singing and Jazz Band
  • 🎟️ Enter our raffle for the chance to win great prizes

black circle with yellow key home in centre with teh words someone at the door on teh top and samba band at the bottom

Food & Refreshments

Take a break in our Tea Room or visit the Guesten Hall Pop-Up Café for hot and cold food, drinks and delicious cakes.

Plus…

  • Two playgrounds
  • Baby changing facilities
  • Free parking
  • Accessible parking and routes
  • Dogs welcome (well-behaved and on leads, please!)

Whether you’re discovering Avoncroft for the first time or returning for another visit, there’s no better opportunity to celebrate Everyday Histories and explore 700 years of England’s built heritage.

Book your FREE places now – we can’t wait to welcome you!

Windmill at Avoncroft Museum

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Book your free places now !

 

white Victorian toll house building with two arch windows and front door with blue sky

FREE