Havant Heritage Open Days

10/05/2025

It is starting to look a lot like Heritage Open Days again. 12th~21st September 2025 right across Havant Borough there will be Exhibitions, Walks, Talks and more; all on the Theme of the Heritage of our Borough. Watch this space

Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.

15/09/2024

That's a wrap on Heritage Open Days 2024! Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to give talks, walks, or helping out around the various sites. Another thank you to anyone and everyone who visited the myriad of events that were on around Havant Borough. Without you bringing along your inquisitive minds, we wouldn't be planning for next years festival. We look forward to seeing you again in 2025 for an even bigger Havant Heritage Open Days!

Until then 👋

14/09/2024

The penultimate day of Havant Heritage Open Days has been and gone, carried by a thoroughly enjoyable talk about the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal. Thank you to everyone that were there in attendance at the Elms.

For anyone who couldn't make it to the talk today, fear not because, although the talk has been and gone, the exhibition remains open until tomorrow afternoon, so there is still time to head along to the Elms to learn about the canal.

Tomorrow is the final day of Heritage Open Days 2024, with many events remaining open until the afternoon. The forecast is sunny tomorrow (for now!), so mix up the fine weather with a shot of heritage for the perfect late summer cocktail.

13/09/2024

Have you ever heard of the ill-fated Portsmouth and Arundel Canal? Constructed in 1823 to serve as a safer route for ship traders, the canal offered the opportunity for craft to circumnavigate the potentially treacherous route through the English Chanel. However, the project turned out to be a short lived venture, closing for use in 1855.

Experience this curious story first hand this weekend by visiting the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal exhibition being held at The Elms, Bedhampton. The site is open from 10:00 until 16:00 both Saturday and Sunday, and is completely free to enter as per all Heritage Open Days events. So there'll be no need to 'barge' your way into this one.

12/09/2024

This upcoming weekend presents more chances to explore sites in and around Havant Borough that you may, or may not have, thought of visiting before. Either way, Heritage Open Days offers the opportunity for you to explore these sites and discover what they have to offer.

One of these locations is the St James Church in Emsworth, which is hosting the Flowers Festival this Saturday and Sunday, offering you the chance to both visit a site of heritage while also exploring a vast array of flora. The perfect combination for all the senses.

Flower Festival ‘Celebrating New Life’St James ChurchSaturday 14th Sept 10am-4pmSunday 12pm-4pm There is nothing quite like a church filled with flowers and so we are delighted that the Emsworth Flower Guild will be showcasing their talents at St James. Bring friends and family to enjoy....

11/09/2024

One of Havant's hidden gems can be found just outside of the town centre, nestled away in the suburb of Warblington. It is within this former civil parish that you'll find St Thomas a Becket church, a historic structure that can trace its origins as far back as the Saxon period.

The area immediately surrounding the church is an idyllic location offering the perfect opportunity for hikes or dog walking, benefiting from the free parking available next to the church. One of the routes from the church takes you through the historic cemetery adjacent, before leading you out on to the beautiful coastline which overlooks Langstone harbour.

If you're looking to experience Havant Heritage Opens Days within a quieter setting, then consider Thomas a Becket as the perfect alternative to the sites within the bustling town centre.

10/09/2024

What an amazingly insightful weekend that was! Between the procession, the talks, and the walks, it was a weekend crammed full of incredible facts and information. We want to thank every one of you who took the time to show up and show an interest. It was great to interact and talk to so many of you about the history of Havant, as well as listening to you share your memories of the sites.

However...

While the weekend events may be over, there are still many events that are continuing throughout the week, with many locations open for you to drop in anytime throughout the day. The sites that are open are:

The Historical Photo Exhibition in the Meridian,

The Local Studies Display in Havant Library,

4 of the churches: St Thomas', St Faith's, St Nicholas' and St Peter's,

And the two self guided tours of Eastern Road and The Gazebo.

These should keep your hunger for knowledge locked up until this weekends packed programme.

08/09/2024

08/09/2024

Welcome to the 3rd day of heritage celebration! Today is the procession celebrating 200 years of Hayling Island residents being able to cross the Langstone Harbour without getting their feet wet (for the most part!)

The procession starts on Langstone Road near to the Langstone Bridge at 12.30. Remember, as with all events through out the festival, the event is free to experience!

🎉 Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime event as part of this year's Havant Borough Heritage Festival with Havant Heritage Open Days.

On Sunday, 8th September, we’re celebrating a major milestone in local history—the 200th anniversary of the first bridge to Hayling Island, opened on this very day in 1824. This historic event changed the island forever, and we’re marking the occasion with a Celebration Procession over the 1956 bridge.

📍 Where: Langstone Road, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1RD
📅 When: Sunday 8th September
🕧 Time: Procession at 12:30pm
🚶‍♂️ Who: Everyone is welcome—no pre-booking required!

Optional but delightful: Come in Georgian fancy dress and step back in time with us as we honor this key event in the history of our Borough and region.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a car lover, or just looking for a fun and unique way to spend your Sunday, this celebration is not to be missed!

07/09/2024

🎉 Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime event as part of this year's Havant Borough Heritage Festival with Havant Heritage Open Days.

On Sunday, 8th September, we’re celebrating a major milestone in local history—the 200th anniversary of the first bridge to Hayling Island, opened on this very day in 1824. This historic event changed the island forever, and we’re marking the occasion with a Celebration Procession over the 1956 bridge.

📍 Where: Langstone Road, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1RD
📅 When: Sunday 8th September
🕧 Time: Procession at 12:30pm
🚶‍♂️ Who: Everyone is welcome—no pre-booking required!

Optional but delightful: Come in Georgian fancy dress and step back in time with us as we honor this key event in the history of our Borough and region.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a car lover, or just looking for a fun and unique way to spend your Sunday, this celebration is not to be missed!