The National Trust has announced that four of its Gloucestershire estates will waive their usual admission fees on select dates this September as part of Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture.
Running over a 10-day period each September, Heritage Open Days offers free access to historic attractions and hidden gems across the country. The event encourages a wider appreciation of sites rich in history by opening doors that are often closed to the public, as well as waiving entry fees at well-known locations.
In Gloucestershire, the following National Trust properties will participate, offering non-members the chance to explore these remarkable sites free of charge. Admission savings range between £9 and £20 per adult compared to usual prices.
READ MORE: Residents oppose Gloucester cycle path plans amid safety and parking worries
Hidcote Manor Garden
- Date: 13 September, 10am–4pm
- Location: Cotswolds, near the Warwickshire border, approximately 10 minutes from Chipping Campden
- Usual Entry Price: £20
- Details: Visitors can enjoy complimentary access to the celebrated 20th-century Arts and Crafts garden, designed by horticulturalist and plant collector Major Lawrence Johnston. The garden features a café offering indoor and outdoor seating, with drinks, cakes and light lunches available.
Chedworth Roman Villa
- Dates: 12 and 13 September, 10am–4pm
- Location: The Cotswolds, roughly 20 minutes from both Cheltenham and Cirencester
- Usual Entry Price: £15
- Details: Explore one of Britain’s most remarkable Roman sites and encounter historical characters from the Roman era. Throughout the days, costumed villa residents will demonstrate aspects of life nearly 2,000 years ago.
Kingscote Estate
- Date: 12 September, 10am–5pm
- Location: Ozleworth, near Wotton-under-Edge
- Usual Entry Price: £15
- Details: This 16th-century hunting lodge is set within a vast estate where peacocks roam freely. Visitors can access the property free of charge during Heritage Open Day.
Lodge Park
- Date: 20 September, 11am–4pm
- Location: The Cotswolds, situated between Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury
- Usual Entry Price: £9
- Details: England’s only surviving 17th-century grandstand, Lodge Park was restored to its former splendour in 1998. Visitors can enjoy free admission to learn about the historic parties, entertainment and notable figures associated with the estate.
These free admission days provide an excellent opportunity for residents and visitors alike to appreciate Gloucestershire’s rich heritage without the usual cost barriers.