
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture with over 5,000 events taking place across the country, on this year’s theme of architecture.
Yorkshire Churches Open Day on 13 September is also part of Heritage Open Days, many local churches will be opening their doors.
Ilkley Manor House will be open for tours and fun children's activities to celebrate this year's theme.
A spokesperson for Ilkley Manor House said:
"On Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September, we will be making mini Manor Houses. Build your own Manor House to take home, dress up in medieval costume, and learn about the history of the House."
"And on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21, recreate the Roman fort of Olicana! Dress up as a Roman soldier, meet our resident centurion Marcus Antonius, test your strength and see how heavy a full kit of armour would have been."
Further details of manor house events can be found at ilkleymanorhouse.org/event/heritage-open-days-2025/
The Methodist Church in Burley-in-Wharfedale will hold an open day on Saturday 13 September, between 10am and 4pm visitors can learn more about the church's history, its magnificent stained glass window and organ that dates back to 1907.
All Saints Church in Ilkley is giving visitors a chance to explore the church and attend a bell ringing demonstration on 13 September between 10am and 3pm:
"Our Heritage Manager will be around to provide more information about the history and heritage of All Saints, and there will be a selection of different heritage trails for children available all day.
"There will also be a bell ringing demonstrations in the bell tower at 10.15am and 11am. Places are limited so sign up from 10am on the morning."
Also opening its doors on 13 September, St Helen's Church in Denton, a Georgian Church with a unique painted east window dated 1700 by Henry Gyles.
Ilkley Civic Society will hold an Ilkley Victorian Railway Station and Villas walk and talk on Saturday 20 September, a spokesperson said:
"Meet at Ilkley Railway Station at 2pm on Thursday September 18. Look at the Station built 1865, extended 1880s, then cross road to Mill Ghyll which was planted with trees as a walkway up to Ilkley Moor and preserved.
"The villas were built after the 1867 Land Sales began. This is a sloping walk upwards, to walk then on a more level path for a while, returning downwards."
The walk will last 1hr 30mins and pre-booking is required via localhistory@civicsociety.ilkley.org
Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said:
“The Heritage Open Days Festival seems to get better and better each year with more and more organisation joining in. It’s great that we’ve over 30 events this year with many referencing our district’s year as UK City of Culture.
"Heritage Open Days offer lots of amazing opportunities to find out about the history, heritage and in many cases the culture of the district while exploring some of its most fascinating buildings. I’d like to encourage as many people as possible join in with these events.”
For information about events and activities for Heritage Open Days across the Bradford district and beyond visit: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/