Discover the architecture of North Northamptonshire with Heritage Open Days
26 August 2025
North Northamptonshire Council will this year take part in the national Heritage Open Days scheme with events planned at Cornerstone and Corby Heritage Centre.
Whilst work is underway on replacing the roof at Cornerstone in Kettering, residents can get a unique perspective of the site on Friday 19 September.
From 9:45am at Manor House Gardens, the team will be available showcasing ongoing projects and services. Roof contractors, Messenger, will be hosting live demonstration by workers, inviting the public to try slate dressing and learn more about the restoration work.
For those who want a different experience, guided scaffolding tours will a rare rooftop view of the works, running at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. These are ticketed (max 10 people per session, 2 tickets per person) and can be booked by emailing [email protected].
Alternatively, a virtual tour and project film will be shown on the Cornerstone balcony throughout the day. The Collyweston Historical and Preservation Society will also be on site, sharing stories of the village’s slate heritage and the lost Tudor Palace.
On Thursday 18 September, the Corby Heritage Centre will be hosting a film screening event in collaboration with The Northamptonshire Film Archive, showcasing how architecture has evolved from Roman times to the present day.
Visitors can also enjoy an immersive VR experience exploring the influence of the steelworks on the town and surrounding areas. Then on Friday 19 September, the Heritage team will be leading a walking tour of Corby town centre from the Corby Cube at 10:45am. Led by Heritage Officer Billy Dalziel, the tour will focus on the town’s architectural transformation, particularly its Brutalist elements, and the influence of the Steel Works. After the tour, visitors can explore the Corby Heritage Centre from 1pm.
North Northamptonshire has a rich heritage, with some beautiful and interesting architecture. Events like the national Heritage Open Days help shine a light on these hidden gems - showing residents a unique perspective on buildings that they may walk past on a daily basis.Cllr Greg Wilcox, the council’s Executive Member for Communities
This year, we have taken advantage of work taking place at Cornerstone to offer residents an up and close view of the stunning library roof which is currently undergoing a huge renovation project.
Alongside this, the team at the Corby Heritage Centre have two days of activities planned which will showcase Corby’s fascinating history.
I would encourage everyone to get involved and learn more about our fascinating local history.
There will be events taking place across North Northamptonshire and residents can find their local events via the Discover Northamptonshire website.