Heritage Open Days
Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.
Community groups from across Harleston are working together to create a programme of events throughout Heritage Open Days from 12 – 21 September. The theme for this year is 'Architecture'. We will open doors to the wonderful collection of buildings through the ages, and also 'Nature's Architects': the animals, plants, and other natural phenomena that create structures and shapes in the natural world. From birds' nests and spiderwebs, to how plants adapt to their environment. We will shine a light on local nature recovery and conservation work.
Man Made Architecture
From Medieval Raised Aisle Hall houses, grand Georgian homes, to more modest Victorian and Edwardian houses Harleston has them all. There are over 160 listed buildings spanning over 600 years. Come and explore architecture through the ages.
Opening Heritage Open Days
St. John's Church, Broad Street, Harleston IP20 9AZ
Thu 11: 2pm
PRESENTATION - Come and find out more about Harleston Heritage Open Days. The September meeting of the Historical Society will open the community programme.
Historical Society
A Victorian Railway
The Swan Hotel, 19 The Thoroughfare, Harleston. IP20 9AS
Sat 13 & Sat 20: 10am - 4pm
EXHIBITION - An 00 gauge running model of the Harleston Railway Station and Yard.
Harleston Model Railway Group
The Doors of Harleston
Harleston Information Plus, Exchange Street, Harleston. IP20 9AB
Fri 12 - Sun 21: Weekdays 9:30am-3pm, Sat & Sun 10am-2pm
EXHIBITION - This unique exhibition will showcase the rich history and craftsmanship of the town’s historic doorways, highlighting their architectural significance and the stories they tell about Harleston’s past.
Harleston Information Plus
Spectacular Bridges
St. John's Church, Broad Street, Harleston IP20 9AZ
Fri 12 - Sun 21: 10am - 4pm
EXHIBITION - Artwork created by children from the local school.
Harleston Sancroft Academy
Open Art Show
The Swan Hotel, 19 The Thoroughfare, Harleston. IP20 9AS
Sat 13, Sun 14, Sat 20 & Sun 21: 10am - 4pm
EXHIBITION - An exhibition of artwork from local people with a theme of 'architecture: human and natural'.
Halo Frames
The Evolution of Buildings
The Swan Hotel, 19 The Thoroughfare, Harleston. IP20 9AS
Sat 13 & 20: 10am, 12pm, 2pm and Sun 14 & 22: 10am, 2pm
GUIDED WALK - Building fashion has changed over the years. Take a guided walk around Harleston and see inside buildings across the ages. **Booking Required.
Historical Society
Secrets in the Stones
Harleston Museum, Harleston IP20 9AZ
Wed 17: 10:30am & 2:00pm
GUIDED WALK - A tour decoding the history of the built environment. **Booking Required.
Historical Society
Finding the Hall Houses
Market Place, Harleston, UK
Fri 12 - Sun 21
TRAIL - Follow a trail of buildings in the town centre discovering well disguised historic Hall Houses.
Historical Society
The Iconic Hall House
The Swan Hotel, 19 The Thoroughfare, Harleston. IP20 9AS
Fri 12 - Sun 21
EXHIBITION - An exhibition explaining the evolution and adaption of a medieval hall house over the centuries as its inhabitants' needs change. With a 1:25 scale model showing typical construction, interpretation boards and images of well disguised examples still standing in the town of Harleston.
Historical Society
Tracking the Traces
Harleston Service Station, London Road, Harleston IP20 9BP
Sat 13: 11am & 3pm
GUIDED WALK - A walk discovering lost buildings and sites of altered purpose. **Booking Required.
Historical Society
Story of the Swan
The Swan Hotel, 19 The Thoroughfare, Harleston. IP20 9AS
Thu 18: 2pm
OPEN DOORS - A guided tour of a 15th century old Coaching. **Booking Required.
Historical Society
Build a Mini Town
Harleston Library, Swan Lane, Harleston IP20 9AW
Fri 12, Mon 15 & Fri 19: 11:30am - 7pm. Sat 13 & Sat 20: 11:30am - 4pm. Wed 17: 10am - 7pm.
ACTIVITY - Join us and help create our own Mini Town with our ongoing papercraft activity, suitable for all ages. The mini town will evolve and be on display throughout Heritage Open Days.
Harleston Library
Nature's Architects
From intricate spider webs to community ant hills and river changing beaver dams. The animal kingdom is filled with remarkable examples of architectural prowess.
Plants divide their energy between growing leaves, stems, and roots designing their entire life around their environment. The architect of their own life.
Nature’s architects have evolved to create structures that serve many purposes, including shelter, protection, and reproduction.
Harleston is a pioneering town in encouraging community involvement with nature conservation and recovery. An approach which has been adopted by towns and villages across the Norfolk and beyond. The community will share their ideas and work for others to enjoy and take home.
Community Nature Recovery
The Swan Hotel, 19 The Thoroughfare, Harleston. IP20 9AS
Fri 12 - Sun 21
EXHIBITION - An exhibition celebrating 'natures architects' and charting the evolution of community nature recovery from idea to a concept which has been adopted across the country
Nature Recovery in Harleston
Natures Architects at the Common
Common Lane, Brockdish, Diss, UK
Sat 21 Sep
EVENT - Explore Nature’s Architecture on Brockdish Common. A ‘hands on’ event including displays and a mix of practical activities, all connected to natural and man-made homes for wildlife.
Waveney Volunteers for Nature
Through the Eyes of a Child
St. John's Church, Broad Street, Harleston IP20 9AZ
Fri 12 - Sun 21: 10am - 4pm
EXHIBITION - Artwork created by children from the local school will be on display throughout the town.
Harleston Sancroft Academy
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Market Place, Harleston, UK
Sat 13 Sep
EVENT - Harleston welcomes everyone to town with a celebration of natures architects and promoting community based nature recovery.
Harleston's Future
