HISTORY enthusiasts, families, and curious residents are invited to step back in time this September as Warrington prepares to host a series of exclusive Heritage Open Days events.
Spanning multiple weekends, local landmarks will open their doors to offer a unique look into the town’s ancient, architectural, and industrial heritage.
All events are completely free to attend, offering a mixture of drop-in open days and specialised guided tours.
Prehistoric Anomalies and Rooftop Secrets
The festivities kick off on Saturday, 12 September (10:00–11:30) at Parkfields Park Stone Circle (Fearnhead, WA2 0AT). Attendees can join a guided walking tour of what was originally constructed as a “Prehistoric Theme Park,” featuring a stone circle, henge, outlying stones, and a long barrow. Organisers are encouraging visitors to bring and share their own photos, memories, and insights regarding this fascinating modern megalithic complex. No pre-booking is required.
Chimney Pots of Warrington
credit: Tim Prevett
On Sunday 13 September (10:00–11:30), local chimney pot spotter Tim Prevett will lead a unique eye-level architectural tour starting at Palmyra Square (WA1 1BL).
“A Chimney Pot Spotter’s Guide to Warrington” offers a guided walk to appreciate the rooftop world of hidden heritage, with practical photography and framing tips for attendees. Pre-booking is preferred for this event.
Architectural Gems and Community Hubs
On Sunday, 13 September (11:00–15:00), the historic Walton Hall Gardens (Higher Walton, WA4 6SN) will open Walton Hall to the public. Visitors can view an exhibition mapping out the deep history of the hall and its surrounding gardens. Activity packs will be available for families, and guided tours can be requested on-site without prior booking. Church heritage is also heavily highlighted across the schedule:
St John The Evangelist Church (Higher Walton, WA4 6TQ): Open Saturday 12 September (10:00–16:00) with no booking required. Nestled in a conservation village, this stunning example of Victorian Gothic architecture was consecrated during a snowstorm in May 1885. Key features include an unusual wagon-shaped roof painted with ecclesiastical symbols and the Ten Commandments displayed above the choir stalls.
St. Matthew’s Church (Stretton, WA4 4NT): Hosting its open day on Saturday 19 September (11:00–16:00). Consecrated in 1827, the church will allow visitors to scale the tower to look inside the Ringing Chamber and learn about the art of bell ringing. Booking is not required.
Reliving the Civil War Battle of Winwick
Picture John Hopkins
Military history buffs can head to St Oswald’s Church (Winwick, WA2 8LF) to unpack the local impact of the English Civil War. The church site directly sits within the registered 1648 battlefield and historically served as a refuge and temporary prison for captured Royalist foot soldiers. The Open Days: On Saturday 12 September (10:00–16:00) and Sunday 13 September (12:00–15:00), the church will host displays of Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and Civil War artefacts. Members of the Battle of Winwick Society will be on hand to share updates regarding the development of a new battlefield memorial statue (no booking required). The Guided Walk: On Sunday 13 September at 13:00, a “Big Battlefield Walk” will guide visitors across the registered landscape where the six-hour battle took place on 19 August 1648. Pre-booking is strictly required for this walking tour.
Heavy Industry and Transporter History
The Warrington transporter bridge
Rounding out the programme, the “Discover Warrington Transporter People and History” event will shift focus to the town’s proud industrial lineage. Meeting outside the KFC on Old Liverpool Road (Great Sankey, WA5 1AF), a leisurely guided walk will bring attendees up close with the famous Warrington Transporter Bridge. The tours will delve into the lives of the workers and families connected to the structure. Organizers are hoping to actively record the live memories of any attendees who previously worked at the nearby Crosfields factory. Tours will run on both Saturday, 19 September and Sunday, 20 September at 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30, and 16:00. Due to limited capacity, pre-booking is mandatory.
