National Lottery Open Week is back from Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd March 2025, and it’s your chance to explore some of the Midlands’ most iconic and fascinating National Lottery-funded venues for free or at a discounted rate!
Thanks to National Lottery players who help raise £30 million every week for Good Causes, venues across the UK are saying #ThanksToYou with special offers. All you need to do is bring along any National Lottery ticket, Instant Win Game, or scratchcard (physical or digital) to participating locations during the event to enjoy these fantastic opportunities.
From historical landmarks and nature spots to cultural treasures, there’s something for everyone! Check out the Midlands venues offering free or discounted days out below:
FREE DAYS OUT IN THE MIDLANDS
Historical & Cultural Sites
Aston Manor Transport Museum
Dates: 15th–18th, 22nd & 23rd
Located in Aldridge, this museum showcases a collection of vintage buses, trucks, and other transport memorabilia, offering insights into the region’s rich transport history.
https://www.amrtm.org/
J.W. Evans Silver Factory
Dates: 15th & 22nd
Situated in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, this preserved factory offers a glimpse into the traditional methods of silverware manufacturing, with original tools and machinery on display.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/jw-evans-silver-factory/
Black Country Living Museum
Date: 20th
Located in Dudley, this open-air museum brings history to life with reconstructed buildings, costumed characters, and interactive exhibits depicting life in the Black Country during the industrial age.
Shakespeare’s New Place
Dates: 15th – 23rd
In Stratford-upon-Avon, this attraction marks the site of William Shakespeare’s final residence, featuring beautiful gardens and exhibitions celebrating the playwright’s life and work.
https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/shakespeares-new-place/
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Also in Stratford-upon-Avon, visitors can explore the house where Shakespeare was born and raised, now a museum offering insights into his early life.
https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/shakespeares-birthplace/
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Dates: 15th – 23rd
This charming thatched cottage in Shottery was the childhood home of Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, and offers a glimpse into Tudor-era life.
https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/anne-hathaways-cottage/
St Mary’s Guildhall
Dates: 15th & 16th
Located in Coventry, this historic building boasts medieval architecture and has served various civic functions over the centuries.
https://www.stmarysguildhall.co.uk/
RSC Guided Tours
Dates: 15th – 23rd
The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon offers guided tours of its theatres, providing behind-the-scenes insights into productions and the company’s history.
https://www.rsc.org.uk/your-visit/tours/
Staffordshire Museum Collection Store Tour
Date: 21st
This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the Staffordshire Museum’s stored collections, showcasing a variety of artifacts not on regular display.
https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Heritage-and-archives/Museum-service/Museum-Service.aspx
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
Date: 19th – 23rd
Known as the world’s first iron-framed building, this historic site in Shrewsbury is undergoing restoration and offers insights into industrial heritage.
https://www.historicengland.org.uk/get-involved/visit/shrewsbury-flaxmill/
National Trust Properties
NT Moseley Old Hall
Dates: 15th – 17th & 21st – 23rd
Located near Wolverhampton, this Elizabethan farmhouse is famous for hiding King Charles II after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/moseley-old-hall
NT Upton House
Dates: 15th – 22nd
In Warwickshire, Upton House showcases a notable art collection and beautifully landscaped gardens.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/upton-house-and-gardens
NT Wightwick Manor
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Situated in Wolverhampton, this Victorian manor is adorned with Pre-Raphaelite art and William Morris interiors.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wightwick-manor-and-gardens
NT Baddesley Clinton
Dates: 15th – 23rd
This moated manor house in Warwickshire offers a glimpse into the lives of the Tudor gentry.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/baddesley-clinton
NT Hardwick Hall
Dates: 15th – 22nd
Located in Derbyshire, Hardwick Hall is renowned for its Elizabethan architecture and rich tapestries.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick-hall
NT Tattershall Castle
Dates: 15th, 16th, 18th – 20th, 22nd & 23rd
This imposing red-brick castle in Lincolnshire boasts grand towers and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tattershall-castle
NT Packwood House
Dates: 15th – 23rd
A Tudor manor house in Warwickshire, Packwood is celebrated for its delightful gardens and topiary.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/packwood-house
NT Calke Abbey
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Located in Derbyshire, Calke Abbey is known as the ‘un-stately’ home, offering a unique glimpse into the decline of a country house estate. Surrounded by 600 acres of parkland and gardens, it provides a rich exploration of history and nature.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/calke-abbey
NT Shugborough Hall
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Situated in Staffordshire, the Shugborough Estate combines a Georgian mansion, walled garden, and parkland. The estate reflects the stories of the Anson brothers and offers insights into 18th-century exploits and interests.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/shugborough-estate
NT Snowshill Manor
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Located in the Cotswolds, Snowshill Manor is renowned for its eclectic collection amassed by Charles Paget Wade, showcasing thousands of objects from around the world within a traditional Cotswold manor house.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cotswolds-gloucestershire/snowshill-manor-and-garden
NT Berrington Hall
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Set in Herefordshire, Berrington Hall is a neoclassical mansion encircled by ‘Capability’ Brown’s final landscape design. The hall features period furnishings and insights into 18th-century life.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/herefordshire-worcestershire/berrington-hall
NT Croome
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Located in Worcestershire, Croome Court is an 18th-century mansion surrounded by ‘Capability’ Brown’s first complete landscape design. The site includes a restored walled garden and RAF museum.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/herefordshire-worcestershire/croome
NT Coughton Court
Dates: 15th, 16th, 19th – 23rd
Situated in Warwickshire, Coughton Court is a Tudor country house with connections to the Gunpowder Plot. The estate features extensive gardens and exhibits detailing its Catholic heritage.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/warwickshire/coughton-court
NT Hanbury Hall
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Located in Worcestershire, Hanbury Hall is a William and Mary-style country house featuring original wall paintings by Sir James Thornhill, formal gardens, and parkland.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/herefordshire-worcestershire/hanbury-hall
NT Brockhampton
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Set in Herefordshire, the Brockhampton Estate boasts a medieval manor house surrounded by traditional orchards, woodlands, and farmland, offering a glimpse into rural life.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/herefordshire-worcestershire/brockhampton
NT Erddig
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Located near Wrexham, Erddig is a stately home reflecting the relationship between the gentry and their servants, featuring a range of outbuildings, gardens, and parkland.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/erddig
NT Quarry Bank
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Situated in Cheshire, Quarry Bank is one of Britain’s greatest industrial heritage sites, offering insights into the cotton industry with its preserved mill, apprentice house, and gardens.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/quarry-bank
NT Charlecote
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Located in Warwickshire, Charlecote Park is a grand 16th-century country house overlooking the River Avon, surrounded by a deer park landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/warwickshire/charlecote-park
NT Biddulph Grange Garden
Dates: 15th – 22nd
Situated in Staffordshire, Biddulph Grange Garden is a Victorian garden showcasing plants from around the world, organised into themed areas such as the Egyptian Garden and the Chinese Garden.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/biddulph-grange-garden
NT The Firs
Dates: 15th – 17th & 21st – 23rd
Located in Worcestershire, The Firs is the birthplace of composer Sir Edward Elgar, featuring a cottage museum, visitor centre, and tranquil gardens celebrating his life and music.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/herefordshire-worcestershire/the-firs
NT Canon Ashby
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Set in Northamptonshire, Canons Ashby is an Elizabethan manor house with Jacobean interiors, surrounded by formal gardens and parkland, reflecting the history of the Dryden family.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northamptonshire/canons-ashby
NT Powis Castle
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Located in Powys, Wales, Powis Castle is a medieval fortress turned country house, renowned for its extensive collection of art and historical artifacts. The castle is surrounded by stunning terraced gardens, featuring vibrant borders and ancient yew hedges.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/powis-castle-and-garden
NT The Weir Garden
Dates: 15th – 23rd
Nestled along the banks of the River Wye in Herefordshire, The Weir Garden is a tranquil riverside haven. With its walled garden, woodland walks, and diverse wildlife, it’s a perfect spot to explore nature and relax in peaceful surroundings.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/herefordshire-worcestershire/the-weir-garden
English Heritage Sites
English Heritage Witley Court
Dates: 22nd & 23rd
Situated in Worcestershire, Witley Court is a ruined Italianate mansion known for its impressive fountains and extensive gardens.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/witley-court-and-gardens/
How to Take Part:
Simply bring along your National Lottery ticket, Instant Win Game, or scratchcard to any participating venue on the specified dates to enjoy the offer. Check individual venues for additional details or potential pre-booking requirements.
Take this opportunity to delve into history, explore beautiful landscapes, and discover something new – all thanks to the National Lottery players.
For more details about National Lottery Open Week and participating venues across the UK, visit http://www.nationallotteryopenweek.co.uk