Grim and his friends are back to help the borough celebrate Heritage Open Days

In 2025, the theme is architecture, exploring how we’ve designed and built the world around us. There are so many stories on our doorsteps just waiting to be uncovered.

Every year in September, places across the country throw open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history. With free entry to all the events, it’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences.

The festival opens on Friday 12 through to Sunday 21 September with a number of Heritage Open Days events being held.

This year, you can: find out more about the buildings of the railway company that bought the railway to Grimsby and Cleethorpes; explore your family history; explore the history of Lloyds Cars of Grimsby; or even go to the behind the scenes areas of Blundell Park, or visit the Fitties, a Victorian Synagogue and other buildings around our borough. Please note, some events require booking.

On the second weekend of the Heritage Open Days celebrations, Grim, Havelok and the Vikings are also back, and this time they've brought their friends as part of the “Grim’s Great Time-Travellers” event on Saturday 20 September in the town centre.

Join an exciting, time-travelling adventure as characters from Grimsby's past take to the streets. Explore the town centre and meet Grim, Havelok and the Vikings at the legendary Viking Village by the waterfront, the trailblazing Tudor at Minster Square, the Victorian steam train entrepreneur, the Music Hall showman, the Suffragette, the Navy girl hero who saved the fleet single handed and many more who put the Great into Grimsby.

With live music through the decades, afternoon Parade, free children's arts activities and the amazing Havelok's Viking Village, the big screen digital Immersive journey in the time of the Vikings.

There’s lots of information on www.discovernortheastlincolnshire.co.uk/hod and www.heritageopendays.org.uk.

Cllr Hayden Dawkins, Cabinet member for culture and heritage, said: “This year is a bumper year for Heritage Open Days and there’s plenty of things to do for everyone of all ages. So get out there, get exploring and enjoy our towns!”

As part of the Heritage Open Days, the Fishing Heritage Centre is offering 10% discounted entry on Saturday 20 September (excludes Ross Tiger tours).