Heritage Open Days: celebrating local history with free events across Margate, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate.

The annual Heritage Open Days festival returns to Thanet from Friday 11 to Sunday 20 September 2026. It offers residents and visitors an opportunity to explore Thanet’s rich local heritage, hidden gems and historic landmarks, some of which are not normally open to the public. All events are free of charge. 

The 2026 national theme, ‘Everyday Histories’, invites attendees to explore daily working lives, cherished rituals, and the routines that have shaped our community through the ages. From historic walking tours to hidden buildings, this festival celebrates local culture, showcasing the architecture, culture, and stories that make Thanet unique.

The following highlights give a flavour of the wider festival programme, with many more free events, tours, and exhibitions across Thanet.

• Working People of the Isle of Thanet Through Time: an exhibition at Margate’s Droit House showcasing SEAS (South East Archive of Seaside Photography) portraits of local 20th-century tradespeople. 
• Tree walks, open churches, and events across Margate, including at the Tom Thumb Theatre and ARK. The Walpole Bay Hotel will open its doors for tours. 
• In Ramsgate, discover the Sea Captain’s Garden, Pugin’s The Grange, and Vale Square’s unique connections to Wimbledon. 
• Broadstairs’ itinerary centres on Charles Dickens, historic local churches, and the striking 1785 Pierremont Hall. 
• Local villages will offer a rich programme of their own, from uncovering high street stories in Westgate-On-Sea, to exploring archaeology at the Powell-Cotton Museum in Birchington. 

Cllr Kristian Bright, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Parking at Thanet District Council, said: “I’m excited to present our most varied and extensive Heritage Open Days programme ever. With 36 free events on offer, there’s something for everyone to discover. Huge thanks go to our many town heritage partners for encouraging their venues and attractions to take part and open their doors to people who might not get to explore them otherwise. 

“Whether you’re a Thanet local who’s looking to learn something new or a visitor eager to take a peek behind the scenes of Thanet’s historic sites, Heritage Open Days offer the perfect opportunity to explore what makes our area so special.”

A full list of participating venues and booking requirements can be found on the Visit Thanet website.