September is here! And this means that not only is autumn fast approaching, and kids are back to school, but it is also the month when you are invited to discover local history and culture at Heritage Open Days 2021!

On 10-19 September loads of different places will open their doors for the public as part of one of the biggest festivals of the year, all to celebrate culture and history. After the year we have had with lockdowns and being stuck at home it will feel even more exciting exploring new places. And what better way to do so then during a few fun filled days of events.

And do you know what the best part of it all is? It is all for free! 

It is an event that was established back in 1994 after a European initiative to raise appreciation for the diverse and rich culture of Europe. And up to 50 of the European states have signed on to have their own Heritage Open Days.

With every year the UK festival has grown in size and it has gone from around 700 events in its first year to over 5,500 currently. There are so many different events that there is bound to be one for every taste. I had personally never heard of it before but after having researched it a little I truly think it sounds like such an amazing thing. 

Like I said, there should be something for everyone as there is everything from guided tours around city centres, to walks in gorgeous nature. There are events for adults, and events more aimed at children. There are events involving food and others involving cute little furry animals. So, believe me when I say, that there should be something for everyone. 

There are so many beautiful places around the United Kingdom just waiting to be discovered. For a full list please visit Heritage Open Days own website. They have a map over the UK, with all the thousands of events, from far up north all the way down to the south, marked out. There are truly so many events, it would be impossible for me to even mention half of them. I did however have a little look and picked out a little taster of what kind of events there are.

Bletchley Park

First out is Bletchley Park, close to Milton Keynes and once the home of some of WW2’s greatest heroes. It was here that the World War Two Codebreakers were based, and it was also here that the modern computing was born.

So why not pay them a visit and explore this historically exciting place with the WW2 Codebreaking Huts and beautiful surroundings.

Bletchley Park, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK3 6EB

The Salvation Army, Hadleigh Training Centre, Castle Lane, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 2AP

The next place on my list a somewhere quite close to us. We are yet to visit but it looks like a great day out. There is 900 acres of farmland to roam around. It was bought by the Salvation Army 130 years ago and the Hadleigh Farm was originally created to help marginalized and unemployed people in society.

It is still a fully functioning farm that produces malt for Malteasers and wheat for Hovis bread. And it continues to help the weaker in society.

If you plan to visit there is lots to do! There is a tearoom to sit down and relax in, original farmhouses to explore, and stunning views.  There is also a Rare Breed Centre for the little ones, which includes ponies, pigs, poultry and different breeds of goats. 

Dover Priory Railway Station, Priory Station Approach, Dover, Kent, CT17 9SB

Dover is famous for its White Cliffs, but now you can go for a guided walk to discover more of what Dover has got to offer.

Put your walking boots on and pack a backpack with provisions, because this is a walk cross-county and there are a few steep hills. 

There will be beautiful Sea views (on good days you may see all the way to the French Coast), you get to learn about edible plants and you can view a historic Fortress.

The Old School, Old Wolverton Road, Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK12 5NH

I mean is there anything more magical then sitting under a sky full of stars? As a child I used to love to stop and look up at the dark sky with all these stars twinkling back at me. Now as an adult I live in a far too populated place to be able to see the stars properly. 

So to me this even sounds absolutely amazing! You get to gather around a fire, listen to stories, all while looking at the stars. Does that not sound like the cosiest night out ever?

There will be warm drinks and food available and the moon should be almost full harvest moon. I mean, count me in!!!

9 Jesus Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB5 8BA

Anyone a chocolate fan like me? Then you should go and discover how George Cadbury’s decided to use his chocolate factory to help transform the lives of factory workers. There will be a workshop for children where they will learn the story of Mr Cadbury.

What’s not to love? Storytelling, craft and chocolate all at the same event!

Stephenson Railway Museum, Middle Engine Lane, North Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE29 8DX

Are you a lover of trains? Or maybe you got a child that is? Why not go visit the Stephenson Railway Museum and take a trip along the route of the old coal trains, in a 1950s passenger carriage. 

In addition to the train ride there is obviously also the museum to visit, with a range of different locomotives on display. One of them being a locomotive called Billy that was built around 1816. How cool is that?

Tavistock Visitor Information Centre, Court Gate, Bedford Square, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 0AE

Ever hear of a heritage stamp trail? Well Tavistock Subscription Library has created on around the historic town center. From 11 September it is open for children of all ages to join in. They get a heritage passport to collect their stamps in.  There will be clues around the town on different buildings and at each location they can collect their stamps. When all stamps are collected, they will be given a certificate to show off! Which I’m sure most kids will enjoy, mine would!

The Tasting Garden, The Storey Gardens, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1TH

How amazing does it sound with a Tasting Garden?? A garden full of a variety of apples, pears, plums and cherries, all there for you to taste. In this very garden there are 21 fruit trees to find along the paths. 

If you tire of apples and pears there are also herbs to look out for and lots of different insects to look out for. 

The Italian Gardens, 8-10 South Parade, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, BS23 IJN

In the Italian Gardens they have something called the Whirligig! It is an event they themselves describes as an ‘extravaganza of free fun!’ And it is all bee-themed.  

It is all a celebration with outdoors events, and even a multi-sensory art instillation called Artizani’s Bees where you can walk amongst different types of bee hives. 

Ashcombe carpark, Simonsbath, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 7SH

In Somerset I found another little gem, the White Rock Cottage and Ashcombe Gardens. It is a gorgeous place with a cottage and a garden landscape dating back to the Knight family that lived that in the 1820s. 

The White Rock Cottage was recently conserved together with an old Victorian school room that is also there to view. They both sound really interesting and I’m sure both adults and children would enjoy a look around. But what really caught my attention was the beautiful woodlands surrounding the cottage. I would love to take a stroll through there and breathing in the fresh air. 

Zoological Drive, Discovery Way, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 4AL

I mean have you ever heard of a better combination then a Zoo and a Castle?

Well at Dudley Zoo you would get just that. There are hundreds of exotic animals on a wooded hillside, with a caste just smack bang in the middle of it! 

My children would definitely love a day out at this Zoo!! 

September is well underway, although the heat wave we had over the past few days was very unexpected and I for one am glad it is (hopefully) over. We have put together a list of different ideas & events taking place over the month of September, all over the country. Ranging from pumpkin picking to garden shows – there is something for everyone. Let us know your September plans!

20 THINGS TO DO IN SEPTEMBER

1. Rainy day weekend? Why not check out your local art gallery, give each child a notepad and some pens or pencils and get them to draw a picture in the style of their favourite piece!
2. Book tickets for any Halloween activities you’ve got your eye on – things are selling out quickly this year! If you are Manchester based we’ve booked pumpkin patch tickets for the lovely Kenyon Hall Farm but again, there’s limited slots left!
3. Anyone else still waiting for their Hogwarts letter? I’ve got no recommendations for a flying car, but a trip on The Hogwarts Express will keep you feeling magical.
4. Its not just summer that’s for festivals – Clapham Common hosts Colourscape Music Festival between the 11th-19th of September. It’s a music festival, inside an art installation – explore inflatable tunnels, immerse yourself in colour and sound. It’s a fully wheelchair accessible festival, and they also have ‘quiet’ days to make it even further accessible.
5. Join in with Roald Dahl Day on the 12th September. A much beloved author, why not celebrate Roald Dahl day by visiting the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre. They have just extended their ‘Imagining Fantastic Mr Fox’ exhibition throughout the month of September.
6. Pack up a picnic and get outside – the beach, the forest, even your garden and make the most of being able to sit outdoors whilst its still warm enough! When the weather starts cooling a must-have in our picnic basket is a thermos full of hot chocolate, perfect for both grown ups and little ones who need a warming pick-me-up.
7. Leaf Peeping! An American term for walking through the autumn woodland and enjoying the hues of the changing leaves. The further north in the UK you are the earlier the leaves will turn, so if you are based in Scotland expect some beautiful seasonal colours to start showing in the middle of this month.
8. Have a ‘Night Time Wildlife Adventure’ at Grange-Over-Sands in the Lake District. Perfect for older children, spend 3.5 hours learning about the nocturnal wildlife of the area. The night-vision goggles and bat-detectors will keep even the most tech-obsessed teens happy, and it’s a totally unique way to explore the outdoors.
9. Pumpkin spiced lattes might be back but instead of heading for the big chains why don’t you check out your local independent’s seasonal coffee offerings? @newgirlintoon recommends Kith and Kin for those of you living in the North East. The pumpkin spiced latte that they serve up features real pumpkin purée.
10. Try out a new recipe. September brings in a bountiful harvest of British grown fruit and veg. Beetroot, butternut squash and leeks provide inspiration for a veggie main course, whereas apples, damsons and plums cry out to be made into sumptuous desserts.
11. Maybe it’s not just the kids starting a new term this year? Are you needing to get organised for your own studies? If you’ve taken the plunge to start (or continue) some studying, here’s a fantastic article and some helpful tips to help balance studying alongside family life.
12. Make the most of any late summer days by getting outdoors to an adventure park. BeWILDerwood in Cheshire was recently reviewed by one of our mamas –  her family had a great time!
13. Become a ‘Professor of Palaeontology’ at Paradise Park in West Cornwall. In between visiting the wonderful wildlife and playing in the outdoor and indoor play areas you explore the grounds to find dinos and their eggs. Find all the dinosaurs, and answer the questions to be awarded a ‘Paradise Park Professor of Palaeontology’ certificate.

14 Calling all mini rock n’ roll-ers! Born to Be Wild Child, known for their family rock and roll parties are branching out with an event in Belgrave Hall, Leeds on the 25th September. There’s a rock star fancy dress competition, themed arts and crafts, balloon drop, face painting and of course the best DJ’s in town.

15. For our Scottish readers, Wigtown is hosting it’s annual book festival from the 22nd September – 4th October and the line up is fantastic! From picnics in the park for the littlest of book lovers through to stargazing walks and author-led discussions there’s something for everyone!
16. Want to see the biggest pumpkin in the patch? Harrogate Flower Show is home to masses of beautiful seasonal floral displays but also hosts the Northern Championships for the National Vegetable Society. Expect massive marrows, colossal cabbages and towering tomatoes galore!
17. Warwick Castle is currently hosting ‘The Falconer’s Quest’ – watch up to sixty birds of prey take to the skies amidst the beautiful settings of the castle grounds.
18. Another one for Roald Dahl fans – the Chocolate Museum in Brixton is hosting a Wonka Bar workshop on the 12th September. Everything from the type of chocolate, the shape and the packaging will be chosen by your child… and I imagine there will be a lot of taste-testing too!
19. Go foraging! Blackberries are in season, and the dark purple berries can be spotted in most hedgerows. Avoid picking berries from beside busy roads, instead seek out quieter spots away from pollution.
20. Join in with our autumn bucket list over on Instagram – more fun ideas to do with your family and document throughout the season!