Woolwich Works joins National Trust’s Heritage Open Days 2025

Sunday 21 September 2025

Woolwich Works has announced it will take part in the National Trust’s Heritage Open Days 2025, welcoming visitors to explore its award-winning Grade II and II* listed buildings and discover more than 300 years of history.

The riverside cultural complex, based at the Royal Arsenal, has hosted everything from a firework factory to the Royal Artillery Band and a theatre. Today it is a thriving multi-disciplinary arts venue at the heart of South East London, with a programme spanning live music, dance, comedy, workshops, family activities and more.

Highlights of the Heritage Open Day programme include:

• Guided tours of Woolwich Works (11.00am, 1.00pm, 3.00pm) offering a glimpse into the site’s chequered past, from royal visits to suffragette protests.

• The History of the Royal Arsenal (12.30pm) with historians Steven Peterson and Ian Bull.

• An open rehearsal from Chineke! Orchestra (2.00pm), Europe’s first majority Black and ethnically diverse orchestra.

• Talks and workshops including mudlarking discoveries with Nicola White, the Windrush Front Room in 10 Objects, research on preserving heritage buildings, and family “Crafternoon” craft sessions.

• Honouring Adelaide Knight (4.45pm), with descendants of the celebrated suffragette and campaigner sharing their family’s historic connection to Woolwich Works.

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Visitors can also enjoy Woolwich Works’ café, which will serve special “Beanfeast” dishes inspired by King George III’s 1773 open-air feast in Woolwich.

Liat Rosenthal, Head of Creative Programming at Woolwich Works, said:“We are delighted to be part of the National Trust’s Heritage Open Day 2025 and to bring such a broad programme of events to Woolwich. We are privileged to act as stewards of these beautifully restored buildings, with such a rich history going back some 300 years, and we are excited to invite members of the public to discover more.”

All Heritage Open Day events at Woolwich Works are free to attend, though some require advance booking. Donations are welcomed to support the venue, which receives no ongoing public funding.

Full details and booking information are available at woolwich.works.