Oxford Open Doors 2026
12 September & 13 September
About Oxford Open Doors 2026
Oxford Open Doors 2026 is a city-wide heritage weekend celebrating Oxford’s rich history and culture, offering free public access to nearly 150 buildings and sites normally closed to the public.
Across the weekend, thousands of residents and visitors are invited to explore Oxford’s hidden stories, from historic landmarks to lesser-known corners of the city. A varied programme of events will take place across the city, creating a vibrant atmosphere and encouraging people to discover Oxford from new perspectives.
Colleges and university buildings across the city will open their doors, alongside community groups and local organisations showcasing their work and their place in Oxford’s history. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore Oxford Preservation Trust sites, including the Painted Room, Rewley Road Swing Bridge, and North Hinksey Conduit House.
Highlights from previous events include historic sites such as Slade Camp, the former army training ground that later became home to families displaced after the Second World War, and Oxford Castleyard, which hosted demonstrations of heritage skills, stone carving, classic cars, and hands-on screen printing workshops.
Guided walks revealed overlooked and rarely accessible spaces, from the geology of Holywell Cemetery to Love Lane, closed to the public for over a century. Transport and waterway heritage featured prominently, with heritage bus tours from the Oxford Bus Museum, a Canal & River Trust pop-up at Isis Lock, and public access to the Corpus Christi College Barge, accompanied by an exhibition of historic photographs.
Oxford Open Doors is organised by Oxford Preservation Trust, an independent charity founded in 1927, dedicated to enabling public access to Oxford’s historic places. The Trust will deliver Oxford Open Doors 2026 as part of its ongoing programme of events and conservation work, and public support will help ensure the continuation of this much-loved annual event.
You can see a list of these events at https://www.oxfordpreservation.org.uk/content/events
Discover more: Oxford Open Doors: nine properties to see inside
