Heritage Open Days 2025 in Halton
Every September, thousands of local people, organisations and volunteers come together to celebrate Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture. The premise of the event is to celebrate England’s heritage and bring the community together via free historical events and access to sites that are usually not open to the public or normally charge an entrance fee. This year, Heritage Open Days will run from 12 – 21 September.
The festival has a different theme each year. For 2025, the theme is Architecture, focusing on the art and techniques used in the construction of historical buildings and structures. Older buildings are celebrated as an art form because of the complexity, skill and cost required to carve stone, shape ornaments and construct. Historic buildings add richness and complexity to their surroundings and, unlike many modern constructions, are built to last generations.
An Introduction to Halton’s Architectural Heritage
Halton Castle
Runcorn, WA7 2BE
Known for its medieval and industrial background, Halton has linked Widnes and Runcorn since the 12th Century. Halton Castle was originally built by the Normans under the control of Nigel of Cotentin; however, the structure that remains today as a Grade I building was built with sandstone during the 13th century. The 15th and last Baron of Halton, Henry Bolingbroke, took the throne to become King Henry IV. Since then, ownership of the Castle has been the property of the Duchy of Lancaster. During the Tudors, the Castle was used as a prison to house Catholic loyalists, but by 1609, the castle had fallen into a state of disrepair; it no longer served any military purpose, and by 1650, it was in ruins. The courthouse that was built in 1737 by Henry Sephton and John Orme on the site of the previous medieval gatehouse now serves as The Castle Pub and is a Grade II listed building.
Norton Priory Museum & Gardens
Runcorn, WA7 1SX
Norton Priory was first founded in 1115 by the 2nd Baron of Halton, William fitz Nigel. It was used as a monastery between the 12th and 16th centuries for Augustinian canons and was primarily made from sandstone due to a nearby outcrop; floor and roof tiles were made from boulder clay on the site, while sand for the mortar was obtained from the River Mersey shores. By the 12th century, it was one of the largest houses in the Augustinian order; however, in 1236, a fire destroyed the kitchen, damaged the church roof and west side buildings. In 1545 after a few centuries of poor financial management and disputes with the Dutton family, Norton Priory was sold to Sir Richard Brooke whose family lived there until 1921 and funded many construction projects around the area. After their departure, it was almost completely demolished in 1928, and the rubble was used in the foundations of new chemical works. In 1966, the remains of Norton Priory were given in trust for the benefit of the public, and by 1975, it was opened to the public as a tourist site.
As one of the most extensively excavated monastic sites in Europe, on Sunday 21st between 12pm and 3pm, Norton Priory’s Georgian Walled Garden will have free admission for everyone to explore.
Silver Jubilee Bridge
[Image credits Andy Stephenson]
The Silver Jubilee Bridge is a through arch bridge that joins Runcorn and Widnes together. Construction started in 1956 and was opened on 21st July 1961. The bridge replaced the old Widnes-Runcorn Transporter Bridge, which had become inadequate to handle large volumes of traffic. The Silver Jubilee Bridge is of great importance for Halton because it transformed Runcorn from a cul-de-sac into a town and drastically improved trade routes and road communications. At the time of construction, the bridge was the third-longest span steel arch bridge in the world, and the proportions are approximately 2/3rds of those of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The bridge is estimated to have handled nearly 80,000 vehicles a day before the Mersey Gateway Bridge was built to alleviate congestion. Lighting is installed to illuminate the bridge; it can also display dynamic colour to play light shows on key celebrations and national events.
Join us this Heritage Open Days for free historical events that uncover the rich history behind Halton’s stunning buildings.
Look Up Halton! – Community Campaign
In celebration of Heritage Open Days, starting Monday 1st, we are running a community campaign focused on the artwork hidden within Halton’s Architecture. Take a moment to Look Up and notice the details on Halton’s heritage buildings. Snap a picture and submit it here, or share it on social media, tagging @visithalton and using #LookUpHalton and #HaltonHighlights, or drop off a physical copy at your local library. All submissions will help inspire a new artwork installation on the windows of Runcorn Library!
Daresbury District Heritage Group
At Hatton Show, Daresbury District Heritage Group will be celebrating some of the less obvious architecture in the parish.
Runcorn Historical Society
Wicksten Drive, Christian Centre, Runcorn, WA7 5UX
12th September at 7:30pm – Open Evening and displays.
Find out more information about Halton’s history.
All Saints Church
Runcorn, WA7 1LD
On Saturday 13th from 10am until 4pm and on Sunday 14th from 11:30 until 4pm. Take part in loads of activities at All Saint Church, from exploring the story of Queen Ethelfleda through her window, to crown making and playing the handbells, make sure you don’t miss the Chester Cathedral Nave Choir on Sunday 14th for the closing celebration!
St Mary’s Church
West Bank, WA8 0DN
St Mary’s beautiful Grade II listed church will be holding family-friendly fun activities and an opportunity to explore the building’s heritage and its local community on 13th September between 10am and 3pm. Expect a model of the church, traditional games for kids to play, a bouncy castle, heritage trail, refreshments, and much more!
In addition to this, one of Halton’s earliest libraries, Sir John Chesshyre library, will be conducting guided tours on the 13th, 17th and 20th September between 10am and 2pm, showcasing Halton’s collection of rare books, archives and artefacts.
Learn more about Halton’s guided tours and historic sites.
St. Luke’s Church
Farnworth, WA8 9HU
On the 13th September from 10am to 4pm explore Halton’s historic architecture with a guided tour around Farnworth to learn more about the stories behind the buildings’ design and history.
The Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum
H4: Widnes, WA8 0DF
Join us at the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st between 10am and 4pm in the Observatory. Come and see our display of thousands of industrial chemical photos taken between 1955-2000 and meet local history societies in the Gossage Room.
