Heritage Open Days in Cornwall: 5 Places We Picked to Explore
Originally published on 6th September 2022, updated October 2026. Emma picked five Heritage Open Days events around Cornwall that caught her eye that year. We’ve kept her original choices, dates and images below, and added current information so you can see what is happening at those places now.
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, with thousands of free events and special openings each September. The festival returns from 10th to 19th September 2027, with the 2027 event directory due to open on 1st June 2027.
Our island nation is a rich hotch-potch of culture, history and heritage. There is so much to explore, especially in Cornwall. Back in September 2022, these were five of the county’s Heritage Open Days that caught my eye. They were all free, and there was lots of opportunity to get involved.
Gribbin Daymark
This instantly recognisable landmark is in my neck of the woods, and I love to spot it on coastal walks or from the beaches along the south coast. Built in 1832, the views are worth the climb! For Heritage Open Days 2022, the historic tower was open on Sunday 11th September from 11am to 5pm.
What’s happening now: The Gribbin remains a lovely place to explore even when the tower itself is closed. The National Trust’s Gribbin Head walk is a four-mile circular route taking in the daymark, beaches, woodland and the coast west of Fowey. The daymark itself stands 84 ft (25.6 m) high, while the surrounding Fowey Estuary countryside is open from dawn until dusk. The tower does not currently have regular published opening hours, so check for special opening days if you are hoping to go inside.
Godolphin
This house and gardens near Helston held specialist guided tours for Heritage Open Days 2022, looking at Godolphin’s mining history. The garden was also free to enter between 9th and 18th September.
What’s happening now: Godolphin returned for Heritage Open Days in 2026, opening free from 10am to 5pm throughout the festival from 11th to 20th September, with no advance booking required. The 2026 Heritage Open Days listing highlighted its remarkable 16th-century garden, the Leeds engine house and stack, remains of the Godolphin family mine, woodland and the wider estate. It is a particularly good example of one of Emma’s 2022 choices continuing to be part of the festival several years later.
Cyprus Well
Up in Launceston you could visit the home of Cornish poet Charles Causley CBE, normally closed to the public but used as a retreat for writers. You could see much of his furniture, childhood toys, books and art collections. In 2022 it opened on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September from 10am to 2pm.
What’s happening now: Cyprus Well continues to open for special occasions, and it took part in Heritage Open Days again on 19th September 2026. The house remains largely unaltered from the years Charles Causley lived there and is still used by visiting writers, musicians and performers. Visitors to the 2026 event could explore the house and sit in Causley’s study while learning more about the work of the Charles Causley Trust. You can read the 2026 Heritage Open Days listing for Cyprus Well.
Liskeard Unlocked
There were plenty of events in Liskeard for the 2022 Heritage Open Days, from a Lego and Meccano competition to a tour highlighting little-known innovators from the town. You could also get involved with Japanese printing and learn about scything in the park!
What’s happening now: Liskeard Unlocked is still going strong. In 2026 it returned as a much wider programme around the town, with events exploring local trades, buildings and everyday history. These included Market Makers demonstrating their crafts at the former East Cornwall Bank, now Boost House, exhibitions at Stuart House, mining heritage, guided walks, the town’s Catholic church and the Freemasons’ Lodge. The 2026 Liskeard Unlocked listing gives a flavour of how the event has grown since Emma picked it in 2022.
Luxulyan Valley
This is a place I love to go. It is resplendent in autumn and awash with blue come spring. There is plenty of history here waiting to be revealed. In 2022, a six-mile Heritage Open Days walk took in the aqueduct and woodland, led by the Friends of Luxulyan Valley. Dogs were welcome too!
What’s happening now: The Friends of Luxulyan Valley are still very active, with regular walks, talks, conservation work and other events throughout the year. They also held a free Heritage Open Day at Luxulyan Village Hall on 24th October 2026. So while Emma’s particular 2022 walk has passed, there are still plenty of opportunities to discover the valley’s remarkable industrial and natural heritage.
Heritage Open Days in Cornwall in 2027
One of the lovely things about looking back at Emma’s original choices is seeing how many of these places are still opening their doors, finding new ways to tell their stories or taking part in Heritage Open Days several years later.
The next national Heritage Open Days festival runs from 10th to 19th September 2027. The event directory is due to launch on 1st June 2027, so that is when we should start to get a clearer picture of which Cornish sites will be taking part next year.
We’ll keep this page updated as the 2027 programme appears. In the meantime, you can browse the official Heritage Open Days listings for inspiration and information about the festival.
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