Heritage Open Days Chelmsford: 30+ free events 11-20 Sept

Chelmsford’s Heritage Open Days programme returns from Friday 11 to Sunday 20 September with more than 30 free events across the city, from guided walks and talks to open buildings, a 1960s day in Tindal Square and a free weekend at the Museum of Chelmsford. The programme is organised by Chelmsford Civic Society with the city council’s support, as part of what the national organisers call England’s largest festival of history and culture, free to attend everywhere. (Chelmsford City Council, 7 August 2026; Heritage Open Days)

This year’s festival carries extra weight locally. It is the first since the death in June of Malcolm Noble, who chaired Chelmsford Civic Society for more than 15 years. Councillor Stephen Robinson, leader of Chelmsford City Council, said: “Malcolm Noble was a passionate Chelmsfordian, who fiercely advocated for the protection and promotion of our city’s rich history. Chelmsford City Council is pleased to support this year’s programme of Heritage Open Days, organised by Chelmsford Civic Society. This is just one way to recognise and celebrate Malcolm’s exceptional contributions to our community over many years.” (Chelmsford City Council)

New for 2026

The council highlights several additions to this year’s programme. Ray Clarke gives a talk on the growth of radio entertainment in the UK, listed in the programme as From Marconi to O’Rahilly, at Patch Places at 7pm on Friday 11 September. A History of Vinyl Records exhibition runs at The Meadows shopping centre throughout the festival, and the Chelmsford’s Industrial Past exhibition fills the Shire Hall foyer in Tindal Square for all ten days. There is also a new oral history project with the Essex Record Office, recording the stories of people who worked in Chelmsford’s factories. (Chelmsford City Council; Chelmsford Heritage Open Days programme)

Tindal Square hosts a 1960s day on Saturday 12 September from 10.30am to 3.30pm, with live singers and dancing, a walk recalling the Corn Exchange, and karaoke. A week later the Chelmsford Witch Walk sets off from Bell Meadow at 7pm on Friday 18 September. (Chelmsford Heritage Open Days programme)

Returning favourites and open buildings

The Chelmsford Black History Walk returns on the opening Friday, 11 September, leaving the Anne Knight Building on Duke Street at 2pm, and tours of the Springfield Lyons Bronze Age enclosure run in booked slots on Saturday 12 September. The annual photograph competition is back with the theme Graves, Memorials, Plaques and Statues; entries close on 31 August and the photographs are displayed at High Chelmer shopping centre throughout the festival. (Chelmsford Heritage Open Days programme)

Open buildings across the ten days include Chelmsford Cathedral on 12 and 13 September, St Mary’s church in Broomfield the same weekend, and Hylands House, open on Sunday 13 September from 10am to 3pm. The Mayoral Parlour at the Civic Centre opens for booked tours on Monday 14 September, Galleywood Heritage Centre runs walks, tours and an open day through the second week, and on the evening of Friday 18 September the Chelmsford City Miniature Railway on Meteor Way runs from 5pm to 7pm alongside a canal history walk earlier that day. The Museum of Chelmsford in Oaklands Park closes the festival with a free entry weekend on 19 and 20 September, including public voting on its top ten treasures from 10am to 4pm each day. (Chelmsford Heritage Open Days programme)

Kevin Miller, who chairs Chelmsford Civic Society, said: “Heritage Open Days is all about giving everyone free access to the stories and buildings that make Chelmsford what it is.” (Chelmsford City Council)

What it means for you

Everything is free, but not everything is turn-up-and-go. Many of the walks, talks and tours, including the Black History Walk, the Springfield Lyons tours, the Witch Walk and the Mayoral Parlour, are booked through Eventbrite links on the festival’s events page, so check before you set out.

If you want to enter the photo competition, the deadline is 31 August, before the festival starts, with the theme Graves, Memorials, Plaques and Statues. Details are on the programme site.

If you are planning a family day, the strongest turn-up-and-go picks are the 1960s day in Tindal Square on 12 September, Hylands House on 13 September and the museum’s free weekend on 19 and 20 September. For ideas beyond the festival, our things to do in Chelmsford guide covers the year-round options.