Uncover Britain’s hidden history with ‘open days’ this September

This September welcomes the return of three national 'Open Days' festivals featuring thousands of free events and experiences bringing people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history across England, Scotland and Wales.

To celebrate we've gathered a series of railway themed highlights below, brought to you by our community rail friends. What will you discover this month?

6-8 & 11-15 September

Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre, Station Road, Ridgmont MK43 0XP
Discover this award-winning Victorian station house and booking office restoration with museum vintage tea room, gift shop & garden and learn more about the Marston Vale Railway. More information here.

7 September

175 Years of the Barton Railway
Barton Railway Station, Barton-upon-Humber DN18 5QE
Discover more about the scenic Barton Railway Line, meet members of the Barton Cleethorpes Community Rail Partnership and of the Friends of the Barton Line to answer your questions and to tell you more about the history and delights of this scenic line. More information here.

11 September

A History of Rail Travel Poster Art
Station Road, Stafford ST16 2AA
Pre-book your free place here.
Join North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership for an illustrated, engaging talk on the history of railway art poster advertising to explore social & technological development over 180 years. The talk will feature artwork from a glittering array of artists and poster designers. More information here.

11 September

Penkridge - Historic Village Walk and Penkridge Heritage Centre Visit
Penkridge Train Station (front car park), Station Road, Penkridge ST19 5AN
Pre-book your free place here.
Join North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership for a 1.7 mile walk around the village centre and part of the scenic Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal as we share some of Penkridge's history. The walk will include a special visit to Penkridge Heritage Centre for a short talk, time to explore the Old Gaol and Stocks and peruse the historic information on display. More information here.

11 September

Beating Dr Beeching
Lowestoft Railway Station, Denmark Road, Lowestoft NR32 2EG
In the 1960s the now infamous Beeching Report proposed closure of the East Suffolk Line between Lowestoft and Ipswich. Trevor Garrod, Chair of the East Suffolk Travel Association gives a fascinating insight into the groups campaign to save the line. More information here.

11 September

'What this place needs is some decent toilets and the bloomin' roof put back!'
Starting from the Parcels Office, Lowestoft Central Railway Station, Denmark Road, Lowestoft NR32 2EG
A short, guided walk and talk showing the efforts of the Lowestoft Central Project to restore and rejuvenate Lowestoft Railway Station. More information here.

11 September

North Downs Way Ramble
Lenham Railway Station, Station Approach, Lenham ME17 2HR
Pre-book your free place here.
Enjoy a guided walk along the North Downs Way from Lenham to Hollingbourne and learn more about this beautiful area. More information here.

13 & 14 September

Haltwhistle Railway Station, Signal Box and Water Tower Open Days
Station Rd, Haltwhistle NE49 0AH
Head to Haltwhistle Station and explore the area's rich railway history. Discover the genius of Thomas Edmondson, whose invention of the card ticket in 1838 was soon adopted across the UK and the world. Issue your own reproduction Edmondson ticket in the 1855 Ticket Office before treating yourself to coffee and café in the former railway Water Tower. Join a guided walk to get up close and personal with the impressive Alston Arches railway viaduct and climb the steps to the 1901 Signal Box for picture-perfect views. All this and lots more await you as Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership welcomes you to Haltwhistle. More information here.

14 September

Poppleton Community Railway Nursery
Station Road, Upper Poppleton, York YO26 6QA
Volunteers from the community railway nursery will be giving visitors heritage tours of vintage greenhouses and buildings. Explore the craft stalls and enjoy a family treasure unt throughout the day. If the weather's fine the narrow gauge railway will also be running. More information here.

28 September

History of Wemyss Bay Station
Shore Road, Wemyss Bay PA18 6AR
For Scotland's Doors Open Days you're invited to join the Friends of Wemyss Bay Station as they share the rich history of this impressive station building and give insights into its architecture and engineering features. Guided tours will be available throughout the day. More information here.

More information about each festival can be found below:
• Heritage Open Days – England, 6 to 15 September
• Doors Open Days – Scotland, every weekend in September
• Cadw Open Doors – Wales, throughout September