Heritage Open Days 2026 at the University of Sheffield
Ever wondered what connects Allen keys, aerialists, church-tower falcons, and a bottle of Henderson’s Relish? Find out at this year's Heritage Open Days!
On the weekend of 12–13 September 2026, the University of Sheffield is throwing open its doors to the community.
Join us to explore our history, uncover local art works, and see our campus like never before:
This year the theme is everyday histories. This theme celebrates the ordinary, working-class lives, trades, and traditions of ancestors and local communities.
- Curated Tour of St George’s Church
Built following the Church Building Act 1818 and now used as a lecture theatre by the University of Sheffield, we will be hosting curated tours of St George's Church.
We will talk about the design and construction of the church and the everyday histories of the people who lived in the parish and attended the church, plus a little bit about the current residents in the church tower.
Tour Dates: 12th and 13th September
Tour Times: 10am | 12pm | 2pmTickets will be available from 1 August
- Curated Tour of the Public Art on Central Campus
The University of Sheffield has many pieces of public art dotted about the campus, stretching as far as some of the student residences out at the Edge.
We have developed a trail of the public art on central campus and we will host curated tours on the first weekend of the festival to explain more about the history of the pieces and the artists who designed them.
Tour Dates: 12th and 13th September
Tour Times: 10:30am | 12:30pm | 2:30pmTickets will be available from 1 August
- If you aren’t able to come to one of the curated tours, you can download a digital map of the trail by clicking here or scanning the QR code below (Coming Soon)
- Listen to our podcast about the trail with an interview with one of the artists. You can listen to the podcast by clicking here. (Coming Soon)
- “Rope Women” - An exhibition on the contribution of Skinning the Cat aerial company, to the history of aerial performance and the role of women in circus.
Skinning the Cat emerged at a time when experimental circus was still in its infancy and aerial acts outside the traditional big top were exceptionally rare. Taking their name from a classic trapeze move, the company chose it as an ironic stance against the use of wild animals in circuses.
The Skinning the Cat collection is proudly held within the National Fairground and Circus Archive here at the university. Working alongside the company's founder, Rebecca Truman, we have co-created a special exhibition in the Western Bank Library exhibition space.
The exhibition runs throughout the Heritage Open Days festival and will remain open from 20 July through to mid-December.
No booking is required. Simply pop in during the library's opening hours.
Western Bank Library Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm | Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Curated Tour of The Alfred Denny Museum
During the first weekend of Heritage Open Days, the ever-popular Alfred Denny Museum will be open both Saturday and Sunday morning to host tours of the exhibits.
There will be 6 tours in total over the weekend so book your place early to ensure you can see and hear about the different collections and our museum highlights.
You must book to join one of the tours and for logistical purposes there will be no availability for walk-ins.
Tour Dates: 12th September and 13th September
Tour Times: 10am | 11am | 12pmTickets will be available from 1 August
- Curated Tour of The Turner Museum of Glass
Interior of the Turner Museum of Glass This year, curated tours of the Turner Museum will be held on 15th and 17th September.
Come and hear about how William Earnest Stephen Turner went from being a sickly child in a working-class family in the ‘Black Country’ to an internationally renowned expert in glass in all its forms. See his glass collection acquired throughout a lifetime of travels and research during the first half of the twentieth century, other glass collections donated to the museum and pieces commissioned by the university from modern day glassmakers.
Please note that, outside of the tours, you can also visit the museum on Monday to Friday during the festival, between 10:00am and 4:00pm, provided the museum is not in use for other University activities.
Tour Dates: 15th September and 17th September
Tour Times: 10:30am | 1pm | 3pmTickets will be available from 1 August
Tickets will be available from 1 August when a booking link will be put on this page.
In the meantime, to help you plan ahead, you can find the times of the tours here.
If you have any issues with booking, please email engage@sheffield.ac.uk for assistance.