Historic Buildings & Places is delighted to announce its 2026 event programme, which will explore two fascinating new themes celebrating the extraordinary breadth of our built heritage.
From January to June, the focus will be on Places of Worship — a rich and varied strand of heritage that has shaped communities, skylines, and social history across England and Wales. In the second half of the year, attention will turn to All Buildings Great and Small, uncovering the stories behind everyday and exceptional architecture alike, from grand palaces to humble cottages.
Exploring Places of Worship
The first half of 2026 invites audiences to delve into the spiritual and architectural heritage of faith buildings of every scale and various denomination. Through a series of monthly online talks and in-person visits, Places of Worship will showcase the extraordinary variety found within England and Wales — from small nonconformist chapels and Quaker meeting houses to grand cathedrals, historic synagogues, and even the oldest purpose-built mosque in the United Kingdom.
These buildings are not only places of devotion but also vital community landmarks, often serving new roles in changing times. The programme will highlight how such sites are adapting for the future while retaining their historical and architectural significance. Events will reveal the craftsmanship, cultural influences, and stories embedded within these buildings, demonstrating how faith, community, and design have intertwined through the centuries.
Celebrating All Buildings Great and Small
In the second half of 2026, All Buildings Great and Small will turn the spotlight to secular heritage, encompassing both the grand and the everyday. This theme celebrates the remarkable diversity of Britain’s architectural landscape — from the stately and ceremonial to the practical and vernacular.
Participants can look forward to discovering the splendour of Lambeth Palace, exploring examples of early industrial heritage, and learning about the modest but characterful vernacular architecture of the north east. Whether large or small, civic or domestic, each building tells a unique story of the people who built, used, and cared for it.
Join us
Both themes will be brought to life through expert-led online talks and guided visits that invite participants to see familiar and new places with fresh eyes. The 2026 programme builds on the success of previous years, offering opportunities for members and the wider public to connect with heritage in a dynamic way.
By exploring faith and community, grandeur and simplicity, the 2026 events will showcase how every building — great or small — contributes to the rich and evolving story of our built environment.
Full details of upcoming talks and visits can be found on the events page of our website.
