Leicestershire's Heritage Open Days festival is returning with a series of free events designed entirely by local young people, offering hands-on creative pursuits and outdoor experiences away from screen time.
Youth-Designed Programme and Collaborations
Organisers worked with adults aged 18 to 30 to craft immersive events across well-known sites in the region. Participants will explore historical craft skills, play traditional outdoor games, and learn about local history through interactive storytelling. The project aims to showcase diverse local voices while offering inclusive spaces for the wider community. Every single event during the festival remains completely free for visitors to attend.
Collaborators worked with major regional groups including Bradgate Park Trust, Leicestershire LGBTQ+ Centre, and Loughborough University. The resulting programme includes everything from historical corset-making workshops to immersive explorations of historic witch trials.
National Trust's New Wave Initiative
The special project was delivered by the National Trust under the New Wave initiative, which aims to give younger generations direct input into regional cultural events. Financial support for the project was provided by players of the Postcode Lottery.
Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days marketing and projects manager, said: “It’s been brilliant to work with so many organisations across Leicestershire to support young people in creating events infused with creativity, energy and fresh perspectives. By truly listening to young audiences and taking their ideas seriously, each site has created something distinctive that reflects its own unique selling point and the needs of local young people.”
Funding and Community Impact
Laura Chow, head of charities at Postcode Lottery, added: “It's fantastic to see that players of the Postcode Lottery, who have raised more than £8 million for the National Trust, are helping young people across Leicestershire take the lead in shaping how local heritage is experienced and shared. Projects like New Wave show what happens when younger voices are trusted to bring fresh ideas to their shared history, from immersive storytelling to establishing new spaces for connection and self-expression.”
The Heritage Open Days festival will run from Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 20. Organisers have confirmed that more than 6,000 free events will take place at historic venues across England. Details for all local activities can be found online by searching the official Heritage Open Days event directory.
