The fascinating history of Exeter is set to come under the spotlight once again during Heritage Open Days 2025.
This year’s celebration takes place between 12 and 21 September, with a whole host of tours, talks and events happening across the city and beyond.
Heritage Open Days sees some of Exeter’s most fascinating buildings open to the public for free as part of the ten-day festival, which is also a nationwide event.
The festival showcases sites that are not usually open to the public or would otherwise charge an entry fee.
Among the Exeter venues taking part are St Nicholas Priory, the Devon & Exeter Institution, Exeter Custom House, Exeter’s Underground Passages, Exeter Red Coat Guided Tours, and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery.
Heritage Open Days is managed nationally by the National Trust, with financial support from the People’s Postcode Lottery and Historic England. It is England’s biggest and most popular voluntary cultural event. Last year, the event attracted millions of visitors.
Exeter's programme has been co-ordinated by Exeter City Council and includes a wide range of tours, talks and openings—offering a unique opportunity to visit some of Exeter’s most interesting and unusual historical sites and buildings for free.
Highlights this year include:
- Tales of the Land and Songs of the Seas – a talk by Red Coat Jon Bell about the history of Exeter’s port and Ship Canal (booking is essential)
- Restoration of the Refectory – a fascinating talk about the restoration of St Nicholas Priory
- Exeter City Wall – a guided walk exploring 2,000 years of history
- Quay Words Heritage Walking Tour with Jo Jo Spinks – exploring working-class heritage with an evening walk around the beautiful Quayside
- The Architecture of RAMM – join Collections Manager Julian Parsons to hear some untold stories about the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
- Quayside Consequences – get involved in an imaginative game of creative exploration and collision, culminating in a display of artwork at the Custom House
Plus many more!
For the full listings and booking information, visit the Visit Exeter website at: https://www.visitexeter.com/inspire-me/blog/read/2025/08/heritage-open-days-2025-b797
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