Isle of Man Heritage Open Days 15th anniversary programme launched

Hope to inspire people to embrace the history on their doorstep

The largest heritage event in the Isle of Man’s calendar returns for its fifteenth anniversary next month.

The Manx National Heritage Open Days take place over two consecutive weekends in October, giving the public access to some previously unseen sites.

The events take place all over the Island with the aim of inspiring people to embrace the heritage on their doorstep. 

The entire festival is free to attend and features a programme of behind-the-scenes tours, talks and walks.

 MNH Executive Director, Connie Lovel, says "Heritage Open Days have become embedded in our annual programme and we know many people look forward to it.  

"The event originally started on the Island with the idea of opening places that were normally hidden from view or difficult to access.  

"Fifteen years on, it has become a celebration of the Island’s built and natural heritage, and the many aspects of Manx culture”. 

Some of the events MNH will be offering over the weekends of 4 – 6 October and 11 – 13 October include exploring the Natural History Collections at the Manx Museum; discovering the work involved in conserving objects and curating the Isle of Man TT Gallery; a behind the scenes opportunity to explore the national art collection and an insight into the work underway to curate the world’s largest Archibald Knox exhibition at the Manx Museum in 2025. 

There will also be a Manx language tour of the Large Object Store offering the opportunity to learn about some of the larger objects in the national collection.

You can download the full programme here.

You can book via Eventbrite from midday on Thursday 19 September when a booking link will be shared via the Manx National Heritage Facebook page and on manxnationalheritage.im.