HIDDEN heritage gems that are not normally accessible to the public are being opened up for free as part of a national festival.
The annual Heritage Open Days festival – which this year runs from 12-21 September – is a chance to find out more about Leicester’s fascinating historic buildings.
More than 30 organisations are taking part, offering tours, talks, events and exhibitions to showcase the city’s rich architectural heritage.
Among the events on offer is a chance to tour the city council’s museums store, where a guide will point out rarely-seen objects from the Leicester Museums collection.
Hidden gems of Leicester Cathedral will be highlighted on a tour to view a range of precious and unusual objects, while the team at the Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage will be running tours to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the historic site.
And an interactive exhibition that brings to life the folklore, myths and legends of Leicestershire will be on display at the YMCA, where the self-titled Mythsorians have gathered together intriguing tales of the blue-faced bogeywoman Black Annis, the curse of the Humber Stone, the cautionary bedtime story of the Nine o’Clock Horses - and the ghost residing in the YMCA building!
These ‘new for 2025’ attractions will join several well-loved heritage events that return each year for the festival, including Glenfield Railway Tunnel tours, behind the scenes at Abbey Pumping Station and open days at the Jain Centre, Leicester Synagogue and Leicester Secular Hall.
Abbey Pumping Station
Serendipity Arts
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City mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Every year, this popular season of events offers us the opportunity to discover more about Leicester’s intriguing and historic buildings. Many businesses, heritage sites, creative venues and places of worship will open their doors, and it’s great to see new sites being added to programme. I would like to thank everyone involved in organising the open days, in particular our team of passionate volunteers, without whom none of this would be possible.”
Assistant city mayor for culture, Cllr Vi Dempster, added: “Everyone is welcome to discover the stories that shape our city’s identity. I too extend my heartfelt thanks to the many organisations, volunteers, venues, and individuals who have come together to facilitate this year’s programme. Their dedication is key to people being able to access our shared heritage both during the festival, and all year round.”
Heritage Open Day booklets are now available to pick up from venues across the city, and from the Visit Leicester information centre, which is based at the King Richard III visitor centre.
You can also view the booklet online at the Leicester Museums website.
For more information, see https://visitleicester.info/event/heritage-open-days-2025/
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Main picture shows stained glass from The Hardman Stained Glass Company of Birmingham. A photographic exhibition will be on display at St Mary & St Barnabas Church, Main Street, Humberstone, Leicester LE5 1AE on Saturday 13 September 10am to 4pm as part of the Heritage Open Days festival. View photographic examples of the Hardman Company glass and metalwork that was installed in St Chad’s, Birmingham between 1850 and 1921. Examples from the company’s stained-glass windows and brass work in churches across the Midlands are included in the exhibition.
Serendipity Arts building, 8 Bowling Green Street: photograph by Lauren Eaton