Hidden gems and historic journeys: Heritage Open Days in Basingstoke and Deane

Explore the rich history in Basingstoke and Deane this Heritage Open Days. Make the most of guided tours and hidden heritage. Imagine stepping back in time at Farleigh House, heading outside to discover the Roman remains at Silchester or following in the footsteps of Jane Austen.

Heritage Open Days takes place in September and is England’s largest festival of history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore on selected dates.

Make the most of one-off special events

Overton in Jane Austen's Time exhibition in a Grade II* Listed Norman Chapel, Quidhampton, Overton

Entry to a privately owned Grade II* Listed former Norman Chapel deconsecrated since the 17th century, to view an exhibition on Overton in Jane Austen's time.

Jane Austen was born in 1775 in Steventon, near Overton in Hampshire,. This corner of Hampshire was Jane’s home for her first 25 years and where she wrote early versions of Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility and Northanger Abbey.

Visit the Overton in Jane Austen's Time exhibition
Saturday 13 September from 2pm to 4pm
Pre-booking not required

Farleigh House, Farleigh Wallop

Where Farleigh House stands today, a house has stood for almost a thousand years. It has been shaped by the rise and fall of kings, by wars and by a family’s work and traditions. The building and its surrounding land have travelled through the generations, either by marriage or inheritance, since the Domesday Book; it has never been bought or sold in recorded history.

Visitors will be able to tour parts of the house viewing many works of art, furniture and silverware, including portraits by Richard Livesay, George Stubbs, Sir James Thornhill, George Romney, Sir Francis Grant, Harry Hall, H B Chalon, John Hoskins, Sir Godfrey Kneller, Samuel Cooper, Sir Peter Lely, John Singer Sargent and G Beare.

Find out more about visiting Farleigh House
Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 September. Tours at 10am and midday.
Pre-booking required

Sandham Memorial Chapel

Home to an epic series of large-scale murals by the acclaimed artist Sir Stanley Spencer created to honour the ‘forgotten dead' of the First World War. Visitors to Sandham can look forward to a rich programme of events throughout the day. Join an expert guide in the Chapel for an in depth look into Spencer's paintings and experience poetry readings. Enjoy a self-guided art activity, participate in a vintage teacup taster workshop then finish with a quiet moment to sit and absorb the peaceful surroundings of the Chapel's garden of reflection or picnic in the grounds.

Visit Sandham Memorial Chapel
Saturday 20 from 11am to 3pm
Pre-booking not required

Step along to enjoy guided walking tours

Enjoy Jane Austen guided walks
Overton to Steventon Jane Austen guided walk

Basingstoke and Deane shaped Jane Austen's formative years. This guided nine-mile circular walk from Overton to Steventon crosses the Hampshire countryside on footpaths, bridleways and lanes following in the footsteps of Jane Austen, her friends and family.

The trail follows the path of the River Test across the beautiful Hampshire countryside to its source in Ashe and then across the fields to Deane, where Jane’s father was rector and passes Deane House, the home of the Harwood family, where Jane Austen danced and dined.

Enjoy this Jane Austen-themed nine-mile guided walk as part of Heritage Open Days
Saturday 13 September, starting at 9am
Pre-booking required

Overton in Jane Austen's Time guided walk

A two and a half-mile circular walking trail exploring Overton in Jane Austen’s Time. Following country lanes, streets and pavements.

Located just two and a half miles from Jane Austen’s home in Steventon, Overton was described as a ‘neat little town’ in Jane Austen’s time.

The New Inn in Overton was the Austen family’s post office and all Jane Austen’s letters from Steventon are postmarked Overton and addressed Steventon near Overton.

Enjoy this Jane Austen-themed two and a half-mile guided walk as part of Heritage Open Days
Saturday 13 September, starting at 11am
Pre-booking required

Guided tour and talk of St Mary's Church, Overton, focusing on Jane Austen's time

A guided tour and talk in St Mary's Church, Overton a Grade II* listed church. Jane Austen's brother, James, became curate at Overton in 1790, near to his family home at Steventon, just two and half miles away. Jane Austen's father, who was rector of Steventon, also took services at St Mary's church.

Learn about this beautiful church and some of the people who are connected with it.

Enjoy this guided tour of St Mary's Church as part of Heritage Open Days
Sunday 14 September, starting at 3pm
Pre-booking required

Historic walking tours at Silchester Roman City Walls and Amphitheatre

Silchester in Hampshire has its origins as Calleva, a centre of the Iron Age Atrebates tribe from the late 1st century BC. After the Roman conquest of AD 43 it became the large and important town of Calleva Atrebatum. Unlike most Roman towns, it was never reoccupied or built over after it was abandoned in the 6th or 7th century, so archaeological investigations have given an unusually complete picture of its development.

Find out about walking tours at Silchester as part of Heritage Open Days
Saturday 20 September at 10am and 2pm
Pre-booking not required

Exploring history and heritage after Heritage Open Days

There is more to Basingstoke and Deane than meets the eye. If you would like to delve into more history, then why not plan a visit to one of the following places, you might be surprised by what you discover!

Basing House
Unearth the amazing stories of Basing House, the nationally important ruins and grounds of the largest private house in Tudor England which suffered at the hands of Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War.

Highclere Castle
Step back in time at Highclere Castle, the iconic setting for award-winning period drama Downton Abbey, one of the finest Jacobethan homes still in existence. Highclere Castle hosts a variety of tours throughout the year to explore the castle and grounds. 

Holy Ghost Cemetery
Steeped in history, the Holy Ghost Cemetery is something of a hidden treasure in the town centre and the ruins are still visible to visitors today. The burial ground has been in use since 1208. Several well-known people, including Thomas Burberry, are buried here.

Milestones Museum
Immerse yourself in the past at Milestones, Hampshire’s museum of living history. Explore the museum’s streets, shops and buildings to discover how people used to live, buy a ration of sweets from the 1940s sweet shop and view the unique collection of vintage vehicles.

Whitchurch Silk Mill
This picturesque town is home to the UK’s oldest working silk mill and a gem of industrial heritage, located on the River Test.

Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery
Centrally located at the Top of the Town, in the Willis Museum you will discover Basingstoke and Deane’s past, from the rich archaeological heritage beneath our feet right up to the modern day. Throughout the year, there is a programme of touring exhibitions, as well as fun events, workshops and activities for all the family to enjoy.

Created August 2025