Summer may be essentially over but the fun days out are still in healthy supply, with Heritage Open Days popular autumn event almost upon us.
Helping to clear everyone’s minds during and after the post back-to-school rush, the open days will allow you to visit hidden, historic and heritage landmarks right across Greater Manchester – for free.
Between 6 and 15 September, Heritage Open Days are working with a wide range of unique and interesting places for each and every person to visit for free.
Following what was a smash-hit success when it was here last year and over the three decades prior, the National Trust‘s ‘Heritage Open Days’ are back by popular demand.
So without further ado, here are some of the heritage highlights in Greater Manchester to visit.
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Manchester Victoria Baths
The Greater Manchester Heritage Open Days includes Victoria Baths. Credit: The Manc Group
Only a mile and a half away from the city centre, this Grade II* listed building has lots of crafts and artsy projects on offer alongside exploring the bathhouse.
If shopping is more your style, the Victoria Baths have Manchester inspired gifts from local artists and makers alongside some souvenirs of their own.
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This is running on 7, 8 from 11am-4pm and 11am-3pm on 11 September.
St. Wilfrid’s Church and Tower Trips – Northenden
St. Wilfrid’s Church is providing two dates this month for guests to lose themselves in culture.
Visitors will learn about some ‘Heritage Heroes’ of Manchester’s past including an 18th century owner of Wythenshawe Hall on Monday 9 September.
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The second opportunity sees this site opening their medieval tower for guests to take in the nearby landscape during the afternoon on Sunday 15 September.
Rochdale Old Fire Station
You can visit Fireground in Rochdale for free for Heritage Open Days. Credit: Google Maps
Repurposed in 2021 as the Fireground Museum, this Rochdale building has kept most of its original features throughout.
Now the building is hosting an open day welcoming visitors on Saturday 7 September where you can expect guided tours and some home comforts from the cafeteria inside.
The Met’s Emerging Showcase
After a day of exploring the world of fire engines, why not finish your night with some disco inferno from some of the great upcoming artists of the North on 7 September from 8pm.
The Met is offering a chance to watch some future talent perform live at The Stanley Bar in Bury, and who knows in 10 years time they might just be the next Oasis.
They will be providing a range of Q&A sessions, displays and more for all to enjoy.
There will be refreshments and finger food all at a cost of a voluntary donation.
Salford Road Solar Farm – Bolton
Not your usual day out, this one, but that’s what makes it even more intriguing.
On Monday 9 September the solar farm is giving us the chance to see how energy is made in real time from the sun, even in rainy Manchester!
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There is however a minimum age requirement of seven years old.
Heaton Hall Open Days – Prestwich
Heaton Hall in Greater Manchester is one of the spots you can visit during Heritage Open Days. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Normally only open on the second Sunday of every month, this fantastic building will be keeping its doors wide open for two days on 7 and 8 September.
If you get the time to pop in expect a jam packed day as Heaton Park is home to its iconic hall as well as the animal farm, beekeepers, vintage tram rides, lakeside walks and cafes.
It’s easy to commute to as parking is a reasonable price and there’s a Metrolink tram stop right outside.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – Ashton
After a first week back in school and work, it’s not unfair to say we all need an unwind… again.
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This Mandir is all about relaxation, so why not enrich yourself in the heritage and tranquillity of a Hindu place of worship.
As you are entering a place of worship there is a dress code meaning tops must cover the shoulders, chest, navel, and upper arms and leg-wear must be at least below knee-length.
The open day is taking place on 7 September from 10am-6pm.
Medieval Food at Bailey’s Wood – Blackley
Innovation is Manchester’s middle name but sometimes its nice to take it back, all the way back to the middle ages.
The event is led by none other than a medieval food expert who will be able to answer all your cooking queries.
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This special occasion is happening on 14 September for two hours from 2pm-4pm. Guests are asked to meet at the Grange Park Road entrance to Bailey’s wood for a short walk to the location of the talk.
Renew Hub – Trafford
In a world where second-hand clothing apps like Vinted and Depop are sky-rocketing in sales, why not visit the Renew Hub in Trafford for a real-life clothes recycling centre experience.
There are four tour slots allocated from 10.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 3.30pm on 6 September, where you can see the whole recycling process and even visit the Ebay store.
Steel-cap shoes will be provided with a requirement that you bring your own socks (so make sure you’ve not got odd ones on).
There are tons of events taking place as well as these listed above, for a full rundown of everything occurring throughout the coming weeks here.
The K’s kick off Manchester’s BRITs Week celebrations early with jam-packed intimate gig
The Manc
If you were ‘Hoping Maybe’ to see The K’s at some point this year, this is your sign do it, as the rising indie band did not let the occasion of playing an intimate BRITs-backed gig get to them – they were buoyed by it.
Beloved city centre venue Gorilla was overflowing for The K’s last night, hosting an unreal small-cap set as part of Brits Week ‘26 for a very important cause: War Child.
Perfectly teed up by fellow nearby band, Florentenes from Bolton, The K’s took to a familiar stage many years on from their debut, and instantly had the crowd ready and raring for an hour of pure tunes and some very, very sweaty brows.
Earlestown’s finest certainly carried that Northern charm and energy throughout the whole night; their indie and almost nostalgic lyrical storytelling has you moshing one minute, whilst grasping your mate and ascending into live music heaven the next. There really aren’t many feelings like it.
Sobbing and swaying in the vast ocean of shoulders whilst screaming the lyrics to ‘Helen. Oh I’, I questioned how any compliment will ever compare to launching “thousand ships every time” from a kiss.
The K’s were yearning before Wuthering Heights made it vogue (again).
Musically, the band were seamless and a well-oiled machine, and so were the audience as they wholeheartedly echoed every lyric back at the lads and bounced it off the walls.
The K’s have come a long way since their first visit to Gorilla (Credit: Lucy Wagstaffe)
Every primary school assembly proudly led us to this moment, and it did not disappoint, displaying their increasingly seasoned and successful career, which I can only imagine is going to go from strength to strength this year.
I don’t think we even one more fan could have squeezed one more passionate fan into Gorilla on the night; it was heaving with people and pride; the sweat dripping down the walls indicated things are big for these local lads, and we couldn’t be prouder.
They are another prime example of shining a deserving light on Northern artists! And having the 2026 BRIT Awards up here with us is a testament to that.
Featured Images — Lucy Wagstaffe (supplied via War Child UK)
What's On
Microdot exhibit for BRITs 2026: the artwork of Oasis, Verve and more up in Manchester Piccadilly
Danny Jones
If you’ve passed through Manchester Piccadilly of late, you might have noticed two things: one, it’s really quiet, and two, there’s loads of cool Britpop merch and memorabilia on display, including original Oasis, The Verve, Inspiral Carpets art and more – all courtesy of Microdot.
Set up as part of the city’s own BRITs celebrations, along with a raft of other nationwide festivities, as the annual music award ceremony prepares to make its Manc debut at the Co-op Live this month, the showcase features special edition frames and more, all pride of place in the middle of the train station.
This collection, simply entitled ‘A Microdot Design’, is all done by the legendary Brian Cannon, the graphic designer and art director behind so much recognisable visual material within the genre.
We recently had the honour of speaking to the man himself in person ahead of Piccadilly’s temporary closure; you can see our interview with him right here:
The Wigan-born artist and visionary didn’t just make promotional materials for some of the biggest bands in the 1990s; he’s responsible for what has gone on to become some of the most familiar iconography in British music history.
With this pop-up exhibit available for a limited time only, we strongly urge you to go along and, for once, take your time rather than rushing around the station as you peruse the boards placed right near the main entrance.
Charting his work from circa 1990 up until now, it’s crazy to see just how many of Brian and Microdot’s fingerprints are all over so many different bands and artists.
From native names like Oasis, The Verve and the Inspirals, as mentioned, as well as the likes of Cast, Super Furry Animals, Suede and Ash, plus so many more, this guy has been nothing short of prolific over the past few decades.
Audio North took a little tour of the King Street South unit last year in the lead-up to Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour, and we felt like kids in a Britpop sweetshop.
While this site has sadly since closed, shutting up shop back in July, Brian’s mini, modest, but nevertheless magic Microdot Boutique up in the Lake District is still standing.
Located in the popular North West town and tourist attraction, Kendal, it’s worth a trip there to see more of his portfolio alone.
Currently on display at Manchester Piccadilly ahead of the full 2026 BRITs Week and shindig at Co-op Live, it’s one of the best completely free things you can do in town at the moment – but the exhibition finishes on Sunday, 1 March, so make sure you don’t miss it.
Speaking of the BRIT Awards, if you’re wondering what else is on as 0161 gets ready welcome them for their two-year stint (at least), look no further…
Thomas Melia -
5th September 2024 
