Every September, England’s architecture and culture is celebrated during Heritage Open Days, when many historical buildings open their doors to the public, giving you the chance to visit for free.
This year the Heritage Open Days festival running between Friday 12th – Sunday 21st September with the theme ‘Architecture’ – from buildings and bridges to beehives, exploring how we’ve designed and built the world around us.
In Thanet, venues across the isle are opening their doors for the event and there are also trails and talks.
Isle of Thanet: Architecture Through The Decades
12th September – 21st September
A presentation of historical images of iconic buildings of the Isle of Thanet, from the 20th century, at the Thanet Visitor Centre in Margate.
The Isle of Thanet is home to 27 conservation areas and continues to be an inspiration for famous authors, architects and artists. Fine Georgian, Regency and Victorian buildings can be found across the Isle, a legacy of the 18th Century seaside holiday boom.
This small exhibition will feature a series of archival photographs from the Sunbeam Collection. Sunbeam, was the dominant commercial photographic company which ‘worked’ the Isle of Thanet’s (Margate/Broadstairs/Ramsgate etc) coast. This collection was archived by the UK’s South East Archive of Seaside Photography (SEAS Photography) project.
The exhibition will feature some of the Isle’s most iconic architecture including those still standing and those that have been lost.
Timings:
- Friday 12 September: 10am-5pm
- Saturday 13 September: 10am-5pm
- Sunday 14 September: 10am-5pm
- Tuesday 16 September: 10am-5pm
- Wednesday 17 September: 10am-5pm
- Friday 19 September: 10am-5pm
- Saturday 20 September: 10am-5pm
- Sunday 21 September: 10am-5pm
The Walpole Bay Hotel and Museum
12th September – 21st September
A talk about the history of The Walpole Bay Hotel, Museum and Napery Gallery, followed by a self-guided tour.
Talk 11am daily – must be pre-booked
The Walpole Bay Hotel, built in 1914 and extended in 1927, is a family-run hotel, owned by the Bishop family since 1995.
The owner, Jane Bishop, will give a talk, lasting about an hour, about the history of the hotel, which incorporates a Living Museum with all floors packed with exhibits.
Enter the hotel by the original marble steps, dating from 1914, and take the marvellous trellis-gated Otis lift, installed in 1927 and still working perfectly. In the reception and on all five floors are items of interest.
Following the talk, you are invited to tour the museum and galleries on your own. A fascinating new addition this year is the telescope used by members of the Walpole Bay Ship Spotters Club, mounted on Walpole Bay promenade from the ’20s to the ’70s, which is in the progress of being restored to full working order.
Tea rooms, Veranda and Lounge Bar will be open from 11am until 8pm for the public on Heritage Open Days.
To book, contact the hotel directly on 01843 221703 or [email protected]
Ramsgate Tunnels Exhibition
12th September – 21st September. Open 10am – 4pm
Ramsgate Tunnels is hosting an exhibition on loan from Imperial College.
This is a photo exhibition curated by Ana Sánchez and Xavier Domènech showcasing the architecture and the network of 1.322 underground air-raid shelters in Barcelona, intensively bombed during the Spanish Civil War by the Italian and the German air forces, allied with Franco’s command. 85% of this civic, historical and architectural heritage was built by local communities, especially in working-class neighbourhoods.
Accessibility – Well behaved dogs are welcome in the public area. Assistance dogs only on the tours.
The Grange & St Edward’s Presbytery
12th September – 15th September
Grade I listed house designed and lived in by the 19th century architect Augustus Pugin in Ramsgate 10am-4pm
Free admission, leaflets on the building’s history and children’s activity sheets will be available on site.
The Grange was built by Augustus Pugin in 1845 and remained in the family until 1928. The building reflects Pugin’s belief in the Gothic style as the only true Christian architecture and his ideal to live out his life in the Middle Ages. Pugin produced some of his finest work at The Grange including designs for the House of Lords.
St Edward’s Presbytery which was built by Augustus Welby Pugin in 1850, part of this great architect’s original conception for this important Gothic revival site on the West Cliffs.
The Presbytery has much restrained Pugin detailing to admire, although this simple house was not given the rich interiors of The Grange. It housed priests for only a few years. In the 1860s, Edward Pugin added a well-lit studio overlooking the courtyard of The Grange for his own architectural practice. Pugins lived here until 1928, when the Presbytery became part of the monks’ school.
Whilst booking is not essential they would ask that you register for the event via Eventbrite so that they can provide you with updates. Book now
Dickens House Museum
Friday 12th & Saturday 13th and Friday 19th & Saturday 20th open 1pm-4.30pm
Visitors to Dickens House Museum will see items that once belonged to Charles Dickens including letters written about Broadstairs, his writing box and mahogany sideboard, along with a fine collection of prints by H K Browne (Phiz), one of Dickens’ principal illustrators. There are also displays of Dickensian memorabilia, Victorian costumes and Victoriana, as well as a feature on “Our English Watering Place”. It was in 1851 that Charles Dickens wrote this affectionate record of the town and its inhabitants.
The museum has a gift shop and is staffed by volunteers, who are passionate about Charles Dickens and happy to guide visitors around the unique house.
The museum has a step at the entrance, however there is a ramp available.
The ground floor is accessible for wheelchair users.
Unfortunately the upstairs rooms are not accessible.
St John’s Church Margate
12th September – 13th September
Open Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm
Friday 12th September
Visit the church between 10am to 5pm – enjoy the model of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and the displays of knitted and crochet poppies made by the craft team.
Refreshments available in the pop up cafe.
Make a “Peace Dove” with your children/grandchildren that will include a prayer for peace. All materials provided.
Saturday 13th September
Visit the church between 10am to 5pm – enjoy the model of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and the displays of knitted and crochet poppies made by the craft team.
David Lammler, gifted organist, will entertain visitors with organ interludes.
A special welcome for those taking part in the Kent Sponsored Ride and Stride to raise money for their own church and the Kent Churches Trust.
Refreshments are available to buy in the pop up cafe in the church.
Make a “Peace Dove” with your children/grandchildren that will include a prayer for peace. All materials provided.
Sonic Trail: Acoustic Architecture part of Ramsgate Festival of Sound
12th September – 14th September
The Sonic Trail comprises sound installations specially commissioned by the Ramsgate Festival of Sound and will shine a light on the incredible architecture of Ramsgate using the medium of sound.
Pre-booking may be required for some spaces. For a full list of venues and booking requirements visit www.ramsgatefestival.org
Paradise Lost
13th September
Viewings from noon-6pm with music and performance starting at 4pm
Visit Ramsgate’s Historic Quarter – the town’s oldest street Paradise which was home to retired sea captains in the early 18th century
Paradise is situated within the Ramsgate Historic Quarter, which was developed in the 17th and 18th centuries and occupied by sea captains and merchants engaged at one of Kent’s busiest ports. The proceeds of international trade with Norway, Russia and New England resulted in a very high standard of architecture, including Dutch gabled rows and grand sea captains’ mansions. In the days before steam power, the Spread Eagle coaching inn brought in the first tourists from the capital.
Visitors will be invited to walk around the historic quarter area and visit some of the houses. In one house on Paradise, there will be a small exhibition of contemporary maps and some artefacts. There are a number of surviving architectural features, like ship masts for beams and a kitchen sink made of sandstone. In the evening, there will be live traditional folk music with sea biscuits and ale.
Guided walk of Margate High Street and St John’s Church
13th September Start time: 2pm. Meet at the Droit House
This is a walk, lasting approximately 2 hours of Margate High Street and St John’s Church, with historical information pointed out. The walk is led by local historian Robin Colyer.
Booking is recommended by calling Robin direct on 07878 537448.
Dickens Town Trail
13th September. Walks at 1.30pm and 2.45pm for around an hour
15 spaces on each walk, first come, first served. Meet at Nuckell’s Garden, directly in front of Dickens House Museum.
Join a fantastic local Dickens House Museum volunteer for a short walk around Broadstairs, to discover connections to Charles Dickens.
Accessibility details – The walk may be hilly at some points
St George’s Church Ramsgate
Saturday 13th and Saturday 20th September, 10am – 3pm
This wonderful building is steeped in the history of the development of Ramsgate from the 19th century up to modern times. You can wander round the church at your leisure – highlights include the Dunkirk window, which shows the little boats setting sail for Dunkirk from Ramsgate Harbour, and our Grade II Listed Organ, built by William Hill, a famous organ maker.
There will be guided tours up the lantern tower and down into the crypt. You can climb the tower (141 steps to the top of the church) to see all over Ramsgate and on a clear day France. The climb is unsuitable for under 8’s and any children under 12 must be escorted by an adult because the stairs are steep. In the crypt underneath the church, you will see where the first Mayor of Ramsgate is buried and where church services were held during the Second World War.
Tours are free on Heritage Open Days but donations towards the restoration of the church are gratefully received.
Pre booking preferred Book now
St Laurence Church Ramsgate
13th September. Open 10am-4pm
St Laurence is a Grade I Listed church, the oldest building in Ramsgate, tracing its history back to 1062.
The monuments, windows and hatchments within the church have interesting stories to tell.
The astounding invention of full circle bell ringing was cutting edge in its day as was the clock!
Clock restoration works and a display on the bells and bell ringing.
There will be refreshments on sale during the day.
Drapers Windmill
Open Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September, 2pm-4pm
Take a visit to Thanet’s last working windmill grinding local grain.
Drapers Windmill was built in 1845 by Holmans of Canterbury. Rescued from dereliction in 1965, the Drapers Windmill Trust had restored the mill by 1975.
The mill has recently undergone extensive refurbishment by Kent County Council.
Subject to weather conditions, volunteers will be running the sweeps and the 104yr old Crossley auxilliary gas engine.
Visitors will be guided throughout the mill.
Hopefully flour from the mill will be available and free refreshments are offered at ground level.
A short film about the mill, created by local students, and cctv, enable less active visitors to see higher up the mill.
There is a small museum containing mill artifacts and archaeological finds from the site.
Admission is free, with donations towards the upkeep of the Windmill gratefully received
Birchington Heritage Trust
September 13, 15-16, 18-20
A collection of original and reproduced maps from the Birchington Heritage Trusts archives will be on display for all to see.
For this year’s Heritage Open Days, Birchington Heritage Trust Museum will be celebrating ‘Station Road,’ and its 130th year since gaining its status as a formally recognised and named highway.
There will be a special exhibition in the museum of photos of Station Road, its shops and associated items during library opening times from Saturday 13 September-Saturday 20 September. The Museum will be staffed for an additional 2.5 hours on the first Saturday and again on the mornings of Tuesday and Friday to support the additional local interest.
The archives are available to be accessed at the times the Museum is staffed to gain additional information and make purchases of publications about Birchington’s history.
A historic trail of Station Road properties will be available during Heritage Open Days.
Properties in Station Road, The Square and Station Approach will display QR codes, which will link to information about the property’s history and any architecturally significant features.
Saturday 13 September: 9.30am – 3pm
Monday 15 September: 9.30am – 12.30pm
Tuesday 16 September: 9.30am – 12.30pm
Thursday 18 September: 9.30am – 12.30pm
Friday 19 September: 9.30am – 12.30pm
Saturday 20 September: 9.30am – 12.30pm
Holy Trinity Church Ramsgate
14th September, 1pm – 4pm
Holy Trinity Church Ramsgate, take a look around this beautiful Victorian church and browse their exhibition. There will be images and memorabilia relating to Holy Trinity Church.
Look around Holy Trinity Church Ramsgate, taking in the beautiful stained glass windows and Victorian architecture. The exhibition will showcase items relating to the history of Holy Trinity Church. Refreshments will also be available.
Powell-Cotton Museum at Quex
14th September. Open 11am-4pm
Quex House was built in 1812, and many of the passions and interests of its builder John Powell-Powell can still be seen today, including a collection of Napoleonic memorabilia, a collection of naval canons and the distinctive boat-shaped curve to two of the publicly accessible rooms.
The house has been extensively remodelled in its lifetime, with the current layout largely reflecting the life of Percy Powell-Cotton and his family, who lived in the house in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Percy is perhaps best known as the founder of the Powell-Cotton Museum and an explorer, with his travels and enthusiasm for collecting reflected in the house. Many international influences can be found in the Drawing Room, for example, which features a beautiful papier mache ceiling decorated in a Persian-style pattern.
Quex Gardens span 7 acres and are the perfect space to stretch your legs after a long journey. You can enjoy a woodland walk, a walled kitchen garden, a croquet lawn, beautiful borders, and an ornamental fountain.
View the refreshed gallery interpretation in galleries 1, 2 and 3 featuring new stories and facts about natural history and redisplays of objects and photos from Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia.
Christchurch and Gardens Vale Square Ramsgate
14th September, 10am – 5pm
Aside from the occasional service, the Church is only rarely open, and it is of great historical interest having been designed by the famous architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott, in 1846-1847. The building is of ragstone with slate roof and tower with magnificent shingled spire.
The Church and its gardens will be open the whole day and there will be stalls in the grounds including plants and crafts.
Refreshments will be available.
Ellington Park Ramsgate
Due to heavy rain the Friends of Ellington Park have made the difficult decision to cancel Sunday’s event and it is hoped to reschedule
Our Lady Star of the Sea, Broadstairs Rd, Broadstairs
15-16, 18-20 September
Open Monday – Saturday 11am-3pm (closed Wednesday)
A leaflet will be available for visitors which includes information on the parish and the history of the building.
In the early 1950s the parish set about the task of completing the church. In 1962 the church was finished with only one variation from Sir Giles’ original conception in the form of a somewhat massive screen with stone dressings, mullioned windows and swing doors in ring-cupped oak at the west end, with a gallery overhead. The narthex thus formed providing an area for material affairs, helping to keep quiet the main body of the church.
In 1878 Captain and Mrs Arthur Rutt came to live in Broadstairs. They adapted and enlarged a brick building in the garden of their home at 2 Gladstone Road to make a public chapel under the title of Our Lady Star of the Sea. Here Mass was celebrated, by the monks of St Augustine’s Abbey, for the first time since the time of the Tudors. On moving to Ramsgate in 1888, Captain and Mrs Rutt, anxious that Mass should continue to be celebrated in Broadstairs, provided a plot of land in St Peter’s Park Road for a church to be built: a tin church was completed and furnished within six weeks.
While the Catholic community of Broadstairs now had a church to worship in, there was still no resident clergy, the parish being served directly by the monks of St Augustine’s Abbey who had arrived in Ramsgate in 1858. It was not until 1909 that the parish acquired its first fully resident priest.
To get in contact, please email [email protected]
Pierremont Hall Broadstairs
15th September – 18th September. Open 9am – 5pm
Built in 1785 as a private residence, Grade II listed Pierremont Hall has been home to many and is now open to the community for public and private events.
This newly renovated building is a beacon of history, showcasing the town’s historical character. The Hall was built in 1785 for Thomas Forsyth and designed by Samuel Pepys Cockerell. The Duchess of Kent and a young Princess Victoria holidayed at Pierremont from 1826 to 1836. It had various owners until its sale in 1896 to Leonard Posnett, who used it as a school. Most of the original 30 acres of land were developed as housing and the building and remaining park were sold to the Urban District Council in 1927.
Ramsgate Society Talk
15th September. Doors will open at 6:30pm and the talk, including Q&A will run from 7pm till 8pm, pre-booking required. Royal Temple Yacht Club.
There is so much of architectural interest in Ramsgate and Clive Aslet will be the guide to some of the more unusual, or simply just forgotten, gems in the town.
Clive Aslet will be familiar to many as President and past speaker at previous events of the Ramsgate Society. He is also a writer on British architecture and life, a Visiting Professor of Architecture at the University of Cambridge and publisher of Triglyph Books. For 13 years he was the Editor of Country Life magazine and currently co-hosts the podcast ‘Your Places or Mine’ with John Goodall, the current architectural editor of Country Life.
Clive was educated at King’s College School in Wimbledon and Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he earned a degree in the history of architecture. He has regularly broadcast on radio and television current affairs programmes including Newsnight. He is also Chairman of The Lutyens Society.
The talk will take place at the Royal Temple Yacht Club and, in keeping with the HOD ethos, will be free of charge – but they do still need you to book so that they can control the numbers. Book now
Guided Tour of Adult Education Centre, Hawley Square, Margate
17th September – 19th September 2025
Guided tours at 2pm of the interior of the Grade II listed Art-Deco Adult Education Centre building in Margate.
The building at 1-3 Hawley Square, Margate, was built in 1931 in Art Deco style and opened as Thanet School of Art.
Since 1974, it has been used as Kent County Council’s Adult Education Centre.
The building retains many original features including wooden panelling, Art Deco radiators and the staircase. This is a rare opportunity to be shown around this building.
Pre-booking required via [email protected]
Shrine of St Augustine & The National Pugin Centre Ramsgate
13th September
Education, research, and visitor centre, around two themes: Augustus Pugin and St Augustine in Ramsgate.
Roman Catholic Church in Ramsgate. It was the personal church of Augustus Pugin, a nineteenth-century architect, designer, and reformer.
10am “Pugin After Dark,”
A virtual tour to explore AWN Pugin’s work and influence on the building and hear tales from his life and discover some of the principles behind his work. Also an opportunity to take part in the Pugin tile collaborative art project- a collaborative artwork of Pugin tile designs coloured in by lots of different groups and individuals. The project aims to not only inspire creativity but to celebrate and raise awareness of Pugin’s beautiful work.
Midday Latin Mass for Pugin’s Anniversary.
4pm – 5.30pm “Pugin in Ramsgate: Sources and Personal Symbolism” talk by Jacqui Ansell (Senior Lecturer at Christie’s Education)
In addition, the church will be open 10am – 4pm on Friday 12 – Sunday 14 excluding an hour each day for midday Mass. These times coincide with the Open Days at the Grange next door.
There will be a display in the cloisters about the recent Pugin renovations at Alton Towers for the Earl of Shrewsbury.
Accessibility – Access to St Augustine’s can be challenging because of many steps. Nevertheless it is possible to access many areas with a wheelchair. Toilets are accessed via the East Cloister. Disabled toilets are at ground level.
All events are free, donations appreciated
Palace Cinema Broadstairs
19th September – 20th September
Cinema open noon-3pm
Local Cinema Architecture talk at 2pm
Discover the story of the Palace and take a journey through the cinema architecture of Broadstairs, Margate and Ramsgate, from converted Victorian sheds and halls to grand purpose-built dreamhouses, 1890s to today!
The Palace has been a cinema since the mid-1960s, before which was a hall for hire, briefly a store for a collection of armour, and originally a boat store. Until the 1960s Broadstairs had several purpose-built cinemas and other places to see a film and they’re proud today to keep film alive in the town; they offer a cosy 111 velvet seats over balcony and stalls, attracting locals and visitors for the latest films from around the world, plus special events such as silent films with live piano.
The cinema opens three hours each day for two Heritage Open Days. Visitors can explore the auditorium and foyer independently, with illustrated history panels about the Palace in the auditorium and staff on hand to answer questions.
The Local Cinema Architecture talks explore the glamorous Art Deco cinemas of Broadstairs, Margate and Ramsgate. They are once a day at 2pm – just drop in, no booking required. The cinema remains open for visitors throughout.
Free worksheets for children – an opportunity to design their own cinema!
Any questions in advance regarding access, please email [email protected]
154 High Street Ramsgate
20th September – 21st September, 11am to 4pm
A Georgian town house with an Edwardian extension and a large garden in Ramsgate is opening to the public for Heritage Open Days.
See the restoration of the main house, including a beautiful staircase, panelling and fireplaces uncovered after hiding for many years. Uncover the secret staircase – behind a wardrobe the owners discovered an intact staircase with traces of 1820s Regency wallpaper.
See the huge basement room, which contains evidence of reinforcement because it was used as an air raid shelter for local people during WWII. There are 14 brick-built dog kennels in the garden, left from when the building was home to Plunketts the vets.
Montefiore Synagogue and Mausoleum Ramsgate
21st September, 10am to 4pm
Visit Ramsgate’s Synagogue, designed by architect David Mocatta, student of Sir John Soane and the first Anglo-Jewish architect, which was opened with a grand public ceremony in 1833. Both the Synagogue and Mausoleum are now Listed Grade II* and the Synagogue has been designated by Jewish Heritage UK as one of the Top Ten in Britain.
Toilets available. No disabled access. On road parking in nearby streets.
Spencer Square Ramsgate
21st September, 11am to 6pm
The historic Spencer Square in Ramsgate will be celebrating its connections with Van Gogh who lived there for a time.
Enjoy the wonderful gardens of Spencer Square. Visitors to the square with an interest in art and history will enjoy spotting the two blue plaques on the properties around the square that denote where Vincent van Gogh lodged and worked when he was in Ramsgate.
Explore the ‘After Dunkirk’ art show with themed artworks. On the Tennis Courts, try tennis from 1pm with a free taster session and watch a Championship level tennis match at 3pm.
Refreshments available from the licensed Vincent’s café.
After Dunkirk Ramsgate Town Trail
Available anytime
Explore Ramsgate’s role in the early years of the Second World War with a this gentle walk in and round the Royal Harbour and town centre.
Start on the West Cliff, walk through the town centre to the town’s Grade II* listed Royal Harbour – the only official Harbour of Refuge in the UK.
* See After Dunkirk” Art Show, Vincent’s Café in Regency Spencer Square (21st September only)
* Learn about the Dunkirk Memorial Window at Grade I listed St George’s Church and watch “The Ramsgate Spirit” film in the Crypt
* Follow the “After Dunkirk” displays and the “Tommy Trail” in the town centre
* Visit the restored Dunkirk Memorial, Pier Yard, Royal Harbour, first unveiled by Vera Lynn in 2002
* Learn all about Ramsgate’s unique role and its place as “The Heart of the Dunkirk Little Ships” from “The Ramsgate Story’ artwork at the display next to the Clock House in the Royal Harbour
* View the Standing With Giants panels in the Royal Harbour and on Beach Walk next to the Ramsgate Tunnels
* Visit Ramsgate Tunnels, see their exhibitions, take a tour and learn how the people of the town survived the devastating Ramsgate Blitz of 24 August 1940.
Further afield
Doors of some of Sandwich’s most historic buildings will be open to the public for the first time for a number of years on Saturday and Sunday, September 13th-14th.
Guides will be on hand at more than a dozen properties in the town centre, and at the Quay there will be a re-enactment of the return to England of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170 from exile in France after being convicted of challenging the authority of King Henry II.
Private homes open over the weekend include that of Tom Paine, founding father of the USA and the French Republic and author of “The Rights of Man”.
One of the oldest buildings is the Chanter’s Chapel in the grounds of The Chanter’s House in Strand Street. Now a ruin, this was a Norman merchant’s house in about 1230, later becoming a chapel and falling into ruin after The Reformation in the 16th century before being converted back to a house by Flemish refugees fleeing religious persecution. It features stone from Caen and bricks of Roman origin.
Another property with a notable history is the Long House, in Strand Street, dating from 1570 but with a cellar reputed to be 13th century. It is said that when Queen Elizabeth I visited in 1573 it was the home of wealthy shipowner John Gilbert, then Mayor of the town. Visits to this house require prior booking with the town council.
A historical event of the last century is marked by an exhibition at the Bell Hotel about the Kitchener Camp, which became a sanctuary for 4,000 refugees from Nazi Germany.
At the centre of the town stands the Guildhall, home to the town council and the museum, where there will be guided tours taking in the ancient Council Chamber and Mayor’s Parlour, little changed since 1579.
As well as the parish church of St. Clement’s, with its 12th century tower, the repurposed 800-year-old churches of St. Peter’s, with its Bell Tower affording spectacular views, and St. Mary’s, currently exhibiting the work of over 40 local artists, will be open. A classic building from the last century is the town’s Empire Cinema, which is a rich example of Art Deco style,
While in Sandwich, visitors can also visit Gazen Salts, a tranquil nature reserve, once at the bottom of the Wantsum Channel, and the adjoining Gallows Field, which has a far from tranquil history.
Alongside the Open Days event, the gardens of Monken Quay, neighbouring the Long House, will be open on both days with teas being served in aid of the Mayor’s charitable fund.
So basically nothing to do …