Historic buildings, specialist archives, and hidden community spaces across Reading will throw open their doors – for free – this weekend as Heritage Open Days 2026 draws to a close.
Running from Friday, 18 September to Sunday, 20 September, the final three days of the festival feature an extensive roster of open days, talks, handling sessions, and guided walks coordinated locally by Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency (REDA).
All events are free to attend, though some require advance booking.
Friday, 18 September events
Friday, 18 September marks the final day of Heritage Open Days access at the National Trust’s Basildon Park during its normal opening hours. The venue has 400 acres of historic parkland and gardens with an 18th-century house at its heart. The impressive mansion and picturesque pleasure grounds will be open to explore. The tearoom will be open for refreshments.
In the town centre, Reading Civic Society hosts a talk exploring the retail history of Jackson’s Department Store and The Oracle, with sessions scheduled for 2pm and 3.30pm.
Thomas Macey was employed by Jacksons of Reading when he was 16, back in 2004 and remained with the company until it closed in 2013. He will bring a selection of original archives for the audience to view during and after the talk.
Saturday, 19 September events
Saturday, 19 September brings a wide spread of open doors and walking tours.
Architectural and local history walks include the Tudor to Civil War Reading Walkabout departing at 10.30am, alongside the fully booked Alfred Waterhouse walking tour led by the University of Reading.
Reading Museum hosts an Abbey Quarter tour from 11am to 12.30pm, a Romans Reimagined Day running from 10am to 4pm, and Roman object handling sessions at 11am, 1pm, and 2pm.
Historic places of worship welcoming visitors on Saturday include St Mary’s Episcopal Chapel on Castle Hill from 10.30am to 12.30pm, St Giles’ Church on Southampton Street from 10.30am to 3.30pm, Reading Quaker Meeting House on Church Street from 10am to 4.30pm, and Reading Minster from 10am to 4pm.
St Michael’s Church in Tilehurst hosts a flower festival throughout the day.
Elsewhere on Saturday, the Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre at the Royal Berkshire Hospital opens from 2pm to 4.30pm, OpenHand OpenSpace welcomes the public into Brock Keep from 11am to 5pm, and the Mills Archive Trust at Watlington House stages an exhibition and art workshop on millwrighting.
Guided tours of Reading Old Cemetery also take place, alongside an exhibition exploring the heritage of the local Ukrainian community. The Ukrainian Community Centre has been part of Reading’s social and cultural life since 1959, created by post-war Ukrainian families who made Berkshire their home. It will open its doors from noon so people can learn more about the Ukrainian community in Reading.
A Ukrainian café will be open serving traditional Ukrainian food and refreshments.
Sunday, 20 September events
The festival concludes on Sunday, 20 September with further opportunities to explore local landmarks.
Visitors can tour the edible roof garden at the Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC) on London Street from noon to 4pm, or learn about Caversham Court Gardens during Behind the Garden Wall: Gardeners’ Tales, which runs from 11am to 4pm.
At the University of Reading’s London Road Campus, the Berkshire Family History Society hosts a heritage display at the Family Research Centre between noon and 4pm. It focuses on everyday lives in Berkshire.
Around the corner, the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) celebrates a century of university collections with special tours at 11am and noon.
Sunday also offers another chance to visit Reading Minster between 10am and 4pm, the Royal Berkshire Hospital Medical Museum from 2pm to 4.30pm, and Brock Keep from 11am to 5pm, while Christ Church hosts a Festival Evensong in the evening.
When is Heritage Open Days coming to Reading, and how can I get tickets?
The final weekend of Heritage Open Days 2026 takes place from Friday, 18 September to Sunday, 20 September at venues across Reading.
All events are free of charge, though select tours and limited-capacity events require advance booking or have operating waiting lists.
For event listings, booking links, and real-time availability updates, visit: https://whatsonreading.com/heritage-open-days.
Further information can be found at: https://heritageopendays.org.uk.
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