Heritage Open Days - Extraordinary Local Lives Tour

Portsmouth Cathedral is running the Extraordinary Local Lives Tour on Friday 18 September, as part of Heritage Open Days 2026. It's a guided tour focused on the local people commemorated within the cathedral, so rather than the big names, it's about the people from around here who've left their mark on the place.

It's one of many events running across the city from 11 to 20 September. Heritage Open Days started back in 1994 as a way for people to explore the history within their own communities, with museums, theatres and historic sites opening their doors for a ten-day run of free activities, talks and displays. It's grown into a national celebration of culture, with hundreds of events taking place right across the country.

Portsmouth Cathedral, dedicated to Thomas Becket, dates back to 1182 and sits at the historic heart of Old Portsmouth. It's got deep connections to the Royal Navy: you can see remnants of Lord Nelson's flag from HMS Victory and the grave of an unknown crew member of the Mary Rose. The stained-glass windows tell stories ranging from the martyred Becket to D-Day, and the cathedral runs daily guided tours and interactive digital experiences alongside its daily services.

The tour is free of charge, and it's part of that wider ten-day window from 11 to 20 September, so if you can't make the 18th, there are plenty of other Heritage Open Days events to check out across the city.