Macclesfield venues to swing open their doors as country's largest festival of history and culture returns

By Matthew Hancock-Bruce 9th Sep 2026

Local News by Matthew Hancock-Bruce 20 minutes ago

Venues across Macclesfield are preparing to swing open their doors to the public.

Heritage Open Days, England's largest annual festival of history and culture, returns later this month.

Running from September 11 to 20, this year's lineup features guided tours, special exhibitions, interactive sessions and more.

Jen Holland, the new events manager at Macclesfield Town Council, said: "Macclesfield is an inspiring and historic market town, with a rich and fascinating heritage.

"We are pleased to be promoting the fantastic range of heritage activities taking place across Macclesfield as part of Heritage Open Days, helping to showcase the town's unique history, culture and heritage and encouraging visitors and local residents to discover more about what Macclesfield has to offer."

For a taste of what to expect, read our review of last year's festival.

Heritage Open Days 2026 runs from September 11 to 20 (Credit: Hannah Cochrane)

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Silk Museum will be in the thick of the action at this year's Heritage Open Days.

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

Throughout the festival they will be unveiling the Cartwright and Sheldon Archive.

This exhibition will highlight objects from a recent Pilgrim Trust-funded conservation project, uncovering treasures untouched for over 40 years from Macclesfield's last handloom weavers.

Then, on September 19, the museum opens its latest exhibition, Macclesfield and The Bayeux: A History Tapestry.

Forming part of the Macclesfield Textile Week lineup, the exhibition runs until December and centres on a monumental community artwork created by Sew Your Place artists Ailsa Holland and Becca Smith.

Elsewhere in town, various churches will be taking part in the Heritage Open Days, including St Michael's, St Alban's and St Paul's.

Macclesfield Library, Macclesfield Cemetery and Hare Hill in Over Alderley are also involved.

For full details of everything going on this year, visit the Heritage Open Days website here.

The Ball is in your court. Our long-term GOAL is to help our local community to grow.

On our part, we are making a connection between local news, local people and local businesses. It is the key to community success.

Now the ball is in your court.
You can support us with a small payment or at least read us for free.
Take a shot yourself and then pass the ball to your friends!

The Ball is in your court. Our long-term GOAL
is to help our local community to grow.

On our part, we are making a connection between local news, local people and local businesses.
This connection is the key to community success.

Now the ball is in your court.
You can support us with a small payment or at least read us for free.
Take a shot yourself and then pass the ball to your friends!