As we glide into autumn and a little more routine settles into our weeks, it’s a fantastic time to enjoy a day-out and learn about the history around us.
Every September scores of volunteers across the National Park organise events to celebrate the amazing heritage of the South Downs region, showcasing everything from archaeology, to historic homes and churches, to military history and museums.
A great chance to discover some hidden gems, Heritage Open Days are taking place across the UK from 12 September to 21 September and many venues will be offering free entry.
The South Downs has some 5,000 years of human habitation, so there’s all sorts of heritage and often where you might not expect it.
The seemingly humdrum lumps and bumps in the ground often reveal ancient Roman field systems, while burial mounds linked to Bronze Age peoples and even Vikings are dotted across the National Park.
Then, of course, there’s the striking heritage on show for all to admire – there are well over 5,000 beautiful listed buildings, spanning Norman to Victorian times, plus more than 160 Conservation Areas, making our towns and villages a journey through time and the many weird and wonderful stories that have shaped these places. Those stories are often echoing through the street names, churchyards, local architecture and paraphernalia.
So, why not take a trip into yesteryear and find out more about the amazing history on your doorstep?
Here are some of the Heritage Open Days taking place across the South Downs this September.
EAST SUSSEX
Seven Sisters Country Park – Military Heritage Talk & Tour
Seven Sisters Country Park Visitor Centre, East Dean Road, Exceat
16 and 18 Sep Pre-booking required
Join local historian Ian Everest for a leisurely walk exploring the incredible military history of Seven Sisters Country Park.
Eastbourne’s Historic Street Furniture
Trinity Place, Eastbourne
12 and 21 September Pre-booking required
Join local historian Kim Adams on a walk and talk, uncovering the history of Eastbourne through objects you walk past every day! The tour will include the oldest pillar box in Eastbourne, four listed phone boxes, several stink pipes, lots of old lamp posts and many of the surviving Licence Plates that can be seen along the seafront and elsewhere.
Alfriston Clergy House Archaeology Finds
Alfriston Clergy House, The Tye, Alfriston
20 Sep 2025 Pre-booking not required
A wonderful opportunity to see the eclectic mix of the archaeological finds that have been discovered across the site. From medieval pieces through to the early 1900s, there is a fascinating mix of items to view.
Alfriston and the Cuckmere Valley
Alfriston Clergy House, The Tye, Alfriston,
19 Sep 2025 Pre-booking not required
Join us for a 20-minute talk taking you on a wonderful journey through millions of years looking at all the geological impacts that created this beautiful valley and why it made such a perfect location for a bustling medieval village.
The Beachy Head Story, Beachy Head Road, Beachy Head, Eastbourne
13 Sep 2025 Pre-booking required
Join Countryside Ranger Alex for a walk around Beachy Head as you learn about the Eastbourne Downland!
St Thomas a’ Becket Church, Cliffe
St Thomas a Becket Church, Cliffe High Street, Lewes
12 and 13 Sep Pre-booking required
It is rare for parish churches to be able to offer safe guided tours up their tower to see an ancient clock and an even more ancient oak bellframe and bells, but St Thomas à Becket Church, Lewes, is doing so as part of the Heritage Open Days. There is also an introductory talk about the Grade II* Listed church interior, founded as a chapel and becoming a church probably after the martyr’s death in 1170, with a 14th-century nave arcade and 15th-century tower.
Adams & Remers, Trinity House, Lewes
13 Sep 2025 Pre-booking required
Formally a church that was part of Lewes Priory, from the mid-15th century it has been occupied by a succession of lawyers-and, currently, the firm of Adams & Remers.
During the Civil War, the Trayton family, who lived there, were officers in the Parliamentary Forces of Sussex, and the racks used for weaponry and uniforms in the armoury can still be seen in one of the gable rooms. Other rooms, dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods, are also included in the tours.
Nevill Road, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1PE
13 Sep 2025 Pre-booking required
Join a guided tour of this 1909 Queen Anne-style building.
WEST SUSSEX
St Mary’s Church, Sompting
12 to 19 Sep Prebooking preferred
The Church, sometimes known as the “Cathedral of the Downs”, is normally open once a week for visitors and once a month for a service. For as many days as possible in September, it will be open for longer and with occasional tours. There’s been a church at Sompting since before the Norman conquest of the 11th century. The oldest part of the building is the Saxon Tower, which has stonework that has been dated as pre-1000AD.
The Trundle Kennel Hill Car Park, Kennel Hill, Singleton.
21 Sep 2025 Pre-booking required
A gentle 5.5 mile walk, literally and metaphorically, unearthing the story behind flint ….. otherwise known as ‘Hampshire/Sussex Diamonds’. After this walk you will never look at a flint wall the same way again!
School Road, Haslemere
14 Sep 2025 Pre-booking not required
Camelsdale Primary School 2025 Open Afternoon – Why not come and visit the first school opened by West Sussex County Council back in 1904. All are welcome and cream teas will be served.
Mill Road, Arundel
13 Sep 2025 Pre-booking not required
Arundel Museum is open for FREE this Heritage Open Day. In the purpose-built Museum, enjoy seeing displays charting the history of Arundel. There are great activities for children too!
346 High Street, Petworth.
20 and 21 Sep Pre-booking not required
The museum, a.k.a. Mrs. Cummings’s Cottage, is an Estate worker’s house restored, furnished and equipped as if it were 1910. Mrs. Cummings was a seamstress who worked at Petworth House and at home. A nostalgic and educational visit!
The Coultershaw Heritage Site, Station Road, Petworth.
20 and 21 Sep Pre-booking not required
See our historic water wheel driven pump along with other working and hands-on exhibits in a beautiful riverside setting. Special activities will challenge our young inventors!
Fernhurst Furnace Open Weekend
Vann Road, Fernhurst, Vanlands, Fernhurst
13 and 14 Sep Pre-booking not required
This Wealden Blast Furnace site has recently been conserved, and there will be guided tours to explain what happened, when ships’ cannons were made here and why the conservation project was required. There are many other attractions, including a demonstration of how to load and fire a musket, as well as pole lathe wood turning, beam hewing from a round tree trunk, wool spinning, living history re-enactment and much more.
The Old Rectory, Old Rectory Lane, Pulborough
14 Sep 2025 Pre-booking not required
Visit the stunning gardens to find out about the history of this remarkable early 1700s house.
HAMPSHIRE
5 Upper Brook Street, Winchester
12 Sep 2025
Pre-booking not required
The Hampshire Chronicle has been proudly representing the Winchester area through its weekly local newspaper for more than 252 years. Meet the team behind the publication and ask questions of the editor at its only open day of the year.
Hampshire Cultural Trust store tour with a Regency twist
Chilcomb House, Chilcomb Lane, Winchester,
18 Sep 2025 Pre-booking required
Tour of the Hampshire Cultural Trust collections held at the Chilcomb House stores with a focus on Regency period items in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.
Free entry to Gilbert White’s House & Gardens
High Street, Selborne
18 Sep 2025 Pre-booking not required
Enjoy a day exploring the home of writer and naturalist Gilbert White for free!
Hinton Ampner House, Hinton Ampner, Alresford.
Multiple dates available from 12 to 21 September
Pre-booking not required
Visit Hinton Ampner, a historic house with distinctive gardens and a beautiful estate.
The Great Hall with the Westgate Museum
The Caste, Castle Avenue, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8UJ
13 Sep 2025 Pre-booking required
See the legendary King Arthur’s Round Table with free entrance to The Great Hall and Westgate Museum on 13th September.
Hampshire Archives: Never Been Here Before?
Hampshire Record Office, Sussex Street, Winchester
20 Sep 2025 Pre-booking not required
Do you want to start your family history or explore the story of your house? Hampshire Archives are open for everyone, so step inside the Grade 2 listed building and find out how to get started.
Tour of Wolvesey Castle, Winchester
Wolvesey Castle, College Street, Winchester
12 Sep 2025 Pre-booking required
A tour of the ruins of Wolvesey Castle, the 12th century palace of the Bishops of Winchester, led by one of Winchester’s official Tourist Guides. The tour will end with descriptions of Queen Mary and Philip of Spain’s wedding banquet which took place at Wolvesey following their wedding in Winchester Cathedral in 1554.