Heritage festival celebrates history and culture in Harborough district

A dozen unique historical and cultural sites opened to guests free of charge across 10 days.

This year’s festival directory was the biggest yet and included talks and walks, tours, activities and open days developed by local volunteers and event organisers with support from Harborough District Council.

Visitors curious about their local history enjoyed the oldest windmill in Leicestershire, the mystic of a Masonic Temple, a behind the scenes tour of Harborough Theatre, town centre heritage trails and archive film screenings and local museum and church open day events. 

Over 100 bookings were taken for the Corset Reveal tour of what was The Symington Factory in Market Harborough. For the first time, this iconic building opened to the public with two days of guided tours organised by the council with Harborough Museum.

Cllr Geraldine Whitmore, Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for Culture, Leisure, Economy and Tourism, said: “This was a great opportunity for people to find out more about history on their doorstep and see inside interesting venues, some often hidden from public view. Harborough district has a wealth of wonderful places to visit and enjoy so it’s only right we show it off.”

Find out more about places to visit across Harborough district at www.visitharborough.com and follow the council’s social media to hear about the latest events.