Sale venues open doors for free Heritage Open Days 2025

Two of Sale’s most historic landmarks will be opening their doors for free this September as part of Heritage Open Days, England’s biggest festival of history and culture.

Sale Town Hall and St Martin’s Church in Ashton-upon-Mersey will both welcome visitors to explore their heritage, architecture and stories without any charge.

At Sale Town Hall, built in 1915, people will be able to step inside the building’s neoclassical interior on Saturday 20 September. Trafford Local Studies will be on hand to give talks, answer questions and share resources, while visitors will also get the chance to see parts of the building not usually open to the public, including spaces often hired for weddings and private events.

Meanwhile, St Martin’s Church, a Grade II-listed building dating back to 1714*, will host open days on Friday 12 September (10am-4pm) and Saturday 13 September (12-4pm). The church, known for its striking double hammer-beam roof and tower commemorating Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, will be running guided tours and special displays to showcase its long history at the heart of Ashton-upon-Mersey.

Both venues are free to visit and no booking is required.

Heritage Open Days is a nationwide scheme that sees thousands of historic places and community spaces open their doors each year. It offers a rare opportunity to discover hidden histories and celebrate local heritage.

* before any local history buffs comment, we are referring to the ‘new’ (current) church building that stands – we know that the first dated record of a church being built on the site is 1304, but sadly, that was destroyed in a fire in 1704.