Essential information
| Type |
Events and festivals
|
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Date and times | Saturday 12 September - Friday 18 September 2026 | Tours at 11am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm and 6.15pm (see page for details) |
| Prices | Free |
Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture, bringing together more than 2,000 organisations, 5,500 events and 46,000 volunteers.
Every year in September, amazing places across the country throw open their doors to celebrate heritage, community and history.
This year, The Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre – home to Royal Museums Greenwich's stored collections and conservation studios – will be running a series of tours based around everyday lives, looking at ordinary objects within our collection that have witnessed extraordinary stories.
Alongside the tours, join us for a creative, hands-on workshop inspired by an everyday object from the collection. Using clay, you'll create your own vessel while exploring how ordinary objects can hold memories, spark conversations and connect people across generations. Together, we'll reflect on the stories behind the things we use every day and the histories they help preserve.
Scroll down to find more info about the tours and timings.
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Guided tours: Everyday Lives
This behind-the-scenes tour explores how everyday lives are represented in the collection at The Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre.
What was life like in the past? Inspired by this year's Heritage Open Days theme, Everyday Histories, this 45-minute tour explores ordinary objects from our collection that were once part of everyday life.
From tea and socks to a needle book, you'll discover items that may look surprisingly familiar or remind you of things you use today. These objects reveal the extraordinary stories hidden within the everyday – and offer a glimpse into the lives of people from the past.
What time are the Heritage Open Days tours?
| Date | Time |
| Sat 12 Sept 2026 | 1.30pm - 2.15pm |
| Sat 12 Sept 2026 | 3.30pm - 4.15pm |
| Tues 15 Sept 2026 | 11am - 11.45am |
| Weds 16 Sept 2026 | 11am - 11.45am |
| Thurs 17 Sept 2026 | 6.15pm- 7pm |
| Fri 18 Sept 2026 | 11am - 11.45am |
Holding Histories – A Clay Vessel Workshop
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Saturday 12 September | 10.30am - 12.30pm
Join us for a creative, hands-on clay workshop, inspired by a mysterious vessel from the Museum's collection. Together, we'll explore how ordinary objects can hold memories, spark conversations and connect people across generations.
Guided by facilitator Jaquie, you'll use simple pinch pot or coil techniques to create and decorate your own clay vessel. You'll reflect on the moments when people come together to share stories, traditions and everyday experiences.
- This session is suitable for all, and all materials will be provided.
How do I get to the Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre?
The Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre is a quick, easy journey from central London by rail or via local bus services.
Address: The Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre, Nelson Mandela Road, Kidbrooke, SE3 9QS
By train: Our nearest station is Kidbrooke which is only a 5-minute walk away. You can reach Kidbrooke from the following central London stations:
- Cannon Street
- London Bridge
- Charing Cross
- Victoria
By bus: The following buses stop near the Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre:
- 178
- B16
- 286
- 132
By car: There is limited parking space in our car park. We prioritise parking for visitors with disabilities. Please pre-book, otherwise we cannot guarantee a place. E-mail: ppmcc@rmg.co.uk
What’s on
Find more tours and events at the Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre.
