Martin Lewis has a top tip for visiting stately homes and historic places FOR FREE!

That's the rest of the weekend sorted

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last updated In News

If you love snooping around homes for a little interior inspiration  Martin Lewis has the perfect free weekend activity with Heritage open days 2019.

Related: Martin Lewis warns households not to be tricked into settling for expensive tariffs – as six big suppliers drop prices

‘How do you fancy a free peak in over 6000 property gems?’ said the Money Saving Expert on This Morning. As shameless property fans, we were all ears.

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‘It starts now and is on various times throughout September, it is called Heritage Open days in England, Doors Open Days in Scotland and Open Door Days in Wales,’ explains Martin Lewis.

Heritage Open Days 2019

Heritage Open Days 2019 is in its 25 year and is England’s largest festival of history and culture. it starts this weekend and runs until 22ndSeptember.

english journalist and broadcaster martin lewis

(Image credit: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Archive/PA Images)

Part of the scheme involves free entry to places that would usually charge, such as Cragside in Northumberland. 'That would normally cost £19,’ says the money guru.

Cragside is surrounded my gorgeous scenery, and filled with curious early gadgets and modern convenience. The Cragside Heritage Open Day falls on Thursday 19th September.

mapperton house surrounded with garden area

(Image credit: Mapperton House)

If you can’t wrangle a day off work, why not visit Nostell in Yorkshire next weekend. The 18thCentury home, famed for its world-class Chippendale collection, is hosting its free open day on 20 and 21stSeptember.

If you’re a fan of Georgian style and architecture then this house is a must for you to peruse. The open days have another major plus offering unprecedented access to properties usually shut to visitors.

dense forest with algae rock

(Image credit: Coleford Area Partnership)

‘There are also places that are rarely open that you can go in for free,’ says Martin. ‘For example, Durham Cathedral's chapter house, which is crucially where Professor McGonagall’s classroom was filmed in Harry Potter.’

There are thousands of properties open to the public over the next month. Whether you are looking for a little historic interior inspiration, or just fancy a photo in McGonagall’s classroom, there will be a open home for you.

Related: Martin Lewis has an urgent warning for wannabe first-time buyers

A full list of properties participating in the festivals can be found on the official websites, listed at the top of this post.

Rebecca Knight
Rebecca Knight
Editor, Digital

Rebecca Knight has been the Editor on the Ideal Home Website since 2025; previously, she was the Deputy Digital Editor from 2022. She has a Master's degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London and has been writing about homes and interiors for 7 years. Her expertise lies in DIY projects, home decor trends and spotting the latest high street homeware buys that are about to go viral. She bought her first home in London last year and is currently renovating it (on a budget).