Discover St Helens Borough's proud past during Heritage Open Days 2025

Article date: 8 September 2025

Taking place between 12-21 September, Heritage Open Days is England's largest community-led festival of history and culture, with local events shining a light on some of the borough's most historic buildings.

Councillor Sue Murphy MBE, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Localities, Culture and Heritage, said:   

"Local heritage is something we're passionate about every day, but the Heritage Open Days festival provides a unique occasion every year to really celebrate the people, the places and the past events that have made St Helens Borough what is today.

"There's a simple joy in becoming a tourist in your own town and in learning more about the place you call home that may surprise you. So don't miss out on these fantastic opportunities to see the sights of our heritage."

Outlasting generations and modern memory, many of the borough's historic buildings serve as tangible links to the past, reflecting the evolution of local culture, heritage, and human events - sometimes over centuries. 

This is the focus of an illustrated talk by Sue Gerrard, the multi-award winning author of multiple poetry collections, novellas and non-fiction books such as 'Secret St Helens' and 'The A-Z of St Helens'.

This one-hour event takes a selection of buildings from Sue's new book 'St. Helens in 50 Buildings', and features buildings across St Helens, including Earlestown and Newton-le-Willows, such as theatres, pubs, schools and churches.

• Newton-le-Willows Library, Monday 15 September, 2pm-3pm (booking recommended)

As well as being places of worship, churches are also spaces for social gatherings, community events, and personal reflection, offering solace and a sense of belonging for people of all faiths and none.

It's because of this that St Teresa of Avila RC Church and St Helens Parish Church - which are celebrating their centenaries this year and next - and Holy Cross Church are each providing tours as part of this year's celebrations. Guided and self-guided tours will shed light on their histories, stained glass imagery, statues and other features.

A range of dates and times are available, with full details at https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/whats-on/printable-area-lists/st-helens.html

Thinking about the borough's civic history, there's perhaps no building of greater significance than St Helens Town Hall. Join the council's Archive Service on a behind-the-scenes guided tour where you will learn more about the history of the Town Hall, view a display of old photographs and original plans, step inside the Assembly Hall, see historic stained glass windows (including a depiction of Saint Helen herself), take a look inside the ornate Council Chamber, and the Mayor's Parlour.

• St Helens Town Hall, Saturday 20 September, tours at 11am-12pm and 12:15pm-1:15pm (booking preferred)

While the history of the Town Hall is hidden to most as a corporate working building, the heritage one can find in St Helens Cemetery is laid out for all to see, if you know where to look. Thankfully our Friends of St Helens Cemetery can show you on a visit to the Sunset & Sunrise Chapels, a short presentation about the 1960's building, a photographic exhibition and a guided tour of the Rose Memorial Garden, plus a tour of some notable graves and memorials, and even an outside tour of the 1858 Victorian Church of England Mortuary Chapel.

• St Helens Cemetery, Sunday 14 September, 11am (booking preferred)

For children and younger people with a creative streak or an interest in our borough's historic canals and waterways, both St Helens and Newton-le-Willows libraries are offering canal-themed crafts sessions. Embark on a treasure hunt, make and decorate a narrow boat and create a toy bridge for your boat to navigate.

• Newton-le-Willows Library, Friday 19 September, 3:30pm-4:30pm.
• St Helens Library, Saturday 20 September, 10:30am-12:30pm.

For more industrial transport of the past, hop aboard at Chester Lane Community Centre for a historical talk from Professor Paul Salveson in 'Railways of the North: Rockets, Lions and Planets'. Professor Salveson's talk looks at the railways of the north and developments across the borough as we steam towards the 200th anniversary of the Rainhill Trials in 2029 and the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 2030.

• Chester Lane Community Centre, Tuesday 16 September, 2pm-3pm (booking required)

If industry itself is what you're after, come visit a late 19th Century bottle making shop, feel the atmosphere and enjoy a guided tour and talk through the history and future of the revolutionary Cannington Shaw. Immerse yourself in our glass heritage, enjoying a talk and tour of the No: 7 Bottle Shop and get interactive with blacksmithing, glass mosaic making and more.

• Cannington Shaw, James Roby Way, Saturday 13 September, 10am-4pm

All that walking and talking has surely taken its toll, so it's about time for a cup of tea and a slice of delicious cake. You can find all that and more at the Smithy Heritage Centre's weekend market, featuring local sellers, homemade gifts and vintage items. The market will also host the 10th Great Eccleston Bake-off too, with visitors welcome to enter.

• Smithy Heritage Centre, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September, 12pm-5pm.

Take a stroll around a variety of vintage and classic cars, all on display across Church Square in St Helens town centre.

• Church Square, St Helens town centre, Saturday 13 September, 10am-4pm.

For a full listing of Heritage Open Days events in the borough, visit: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/whats-on/printable-area-lists/st-helens.html