Heritage Open Day images

Heritage Open Days 2023

Creativity Unwrapped

England’s largest festival of history and culture

Leeds Beckett University will open its doors with an exciting programme of free events for Heritage Open Days 2023 from 8-17 September.

Every September, Heritage Open Days brings people together to celebrate community, heritage, and history. Involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations, history is brought to life through storytelling and exploring traditions.

Abstract art in front of James Graham Building on Headingley Campus
Statue in Leeds City square

Letting Culture Loose

Leeds Beckett University’s diverse programme brings together our rich heritage and close ties to the community. You can look forward to engaging creative writing workshops, a history of visual technologies in Leeds, walking tours that will allow participants to discover the history and evolution of the Leeds music scene and venues, a fanzine workshop and more.

All events are free and come as Leeds Beckett celebrates culture across the city as part of LEEDS 2023. As a principal education partner of LEEDS 2023, we’re letting culture loose. The Creativity Unwrapped theme of this year’s Heritage Open Days adds to this celebration of everything Leeds has to offer.

Arts building
Wordsworth Donisthope - AI generated image

Celebrating our history

The origins of our Headingley Campus can be traced back to the Cistercian monks of Kirkstall Abbey during the mid-12th century. The oldest building on Headingley Campus, The Grange, has stood since 1626 and formed part of the temporary hospital that was based on the estate during the outbreak of World War I.

The nave of leading to the tower inside Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds
Abstract art in front of James Graham Building on Headingley Campus

Looking to the future

Both history and looking to the future is important at Leeds Beckett. As an institution, we continue to make a positive difference both locally and globally, preparing students for the future with graduates playing a vital role in driving the economic growth and prosperity of Leeds and beyond. The university’s programme of Heritage Open Days events celebrates the past, the present and the future this September.

Students walking and sitting through the entrance of Portland Building, City Campus
Creative arts building