Guildhall, High Street, Newport Circa. Early 1900s
Guildhall, High Street, Newport Circa. Early 1900s

Explore Newport’s history at Museum of Island History for Heritage Day 2025

Newport Heritage Day will return this year with a packed programme of free events and activities.

On Saturday 6th September 2025, between 10am and 1pm, the Museum of Island History will open its doors free of charge.

Explore Island heritage
Visitors can explore displays of artefacts from the Island’s history, ranging from fossils to festival memorabilia.

There will also be exhibitions about Newport in days gone by and a new display of locally discovered archaeological finds, unearthed by the Vectis Searcher’s Metal Detecting Club.

The museum sits in the Guildhall on Newport’s High Street, a landmark designed by Georgian architect John Nash. Families can also enjoy a free trail and hands-on activities during the event.

Events across the town
The day extends beyond the museum, with activities planned throughout Newport.

At Newport Minster there will be guided tours, bookbinding with Quarr Abbey, and the chance to meet the Newport and Carisbrooke Heritage Society.

Other highlights include the Isle of Wight Classic Motor Show at Newport Quay, exhibitions at Independent Arts Hub and 64 High Street, and decorated shop windows across the town.

A celebration of Newport’s heritage
Newport Heritage Day is a free festival celebrating the Island’s historic county town. It is organised by the Isle of Wight Heritage Service in collaboration with the Newport Cultural Consortium.

Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, chair of the Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure committee, said,

“Newport is the historic County Town of the island, teeming with buildings, people and artifacts that tell our stories.

“This will be a fabulous opportunity to discover more, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to enjoy the weekend’s activities.”

Find out more
Further details about the event can be found on the website.