Want to be part of Reading's Heritage Open Days 2022?

Heritage Open Days are back for 2022!

The festival takes place from 9-18 September 2022 and the theme for this year is ‘Astounding Inventions’. However, as ever, the theme for HODs is an optional one and the festival will cover heritage in all its facets, built, social, natural and cultural, so please don’t feel restricted by the theme. Reading UK will be co-ordinating the Reading programme for publicity purposes as usual, but do make sure you upload your events to the national site – https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/ so that your event is included in both national and local listings.

Astounding Inventions

“Join us in celebrating England's rich history of invention, industry, and innovation for our 2022 theme. Whether it’s transporting visitors back to the industrial revolution, examining the inventions that power our daily lives, highlighting the legacy of a local inventor, or showcasing cutting-edge innovations – we want to celebrate the diverse tapestry of English inventions that have changed our world.”

Get ahead by downloading the full theme pack here

In Reading, we have a wealth of inspiration from the father of photography William Fox Talbot to links to Brunel, great Victorian architects, plant seed innovation and of course Huntley & Palmers, who brought the world the ginger nut and tin packaging and much more. Coincidentally, 2022 is the 200th anniversary of the opening of Huntley’s first shop (in London Street) so there will be a number of celebrations of Reading’s Biscuit Town heritage this year. Does your site/interest have any links to the theme? Could you put on an event linked to Astounding Inventions? 

National Timeline

  • 17 February – Reading specific HOD online workshop (4-5pm) – for anyone needing more information on how HODs works /co-ordinating ideas for 2022 in Reading. (organised by Reading UK - please contact us if you'd like to join)
  • 1 March - Registration Launch
  • 9 March - HODs 101 webinar
  • 16 March - Planning & Inspiration for HODs 2021 webinar
  • 1 May – Early Bird Registration deadline (for potential inclusion in long lead press releases)
  • 1 June – Event directory goes live
  • 1 July – deadline for entry in the Reading printed HOD guide (Reading UK)
  • 1 August – Final Registration deadline
  • 9-18 September – THE FESTIVAL!