What’s On?

We’re offering a wide variety of creative workshops, exhibitions and displays, plus guided tours of our historic library and heritage site to celebrate the festival this year.

A selection of events also reflect England’s rich history of invention, industry and innovation, and align with the Heritage Open Days 2022 theme of Astounding Inventions!

Our 2022 events programme includes:

Date Event Time Event Information
Friday 9th – Sunday 18th September

(During opening hours)

 Ingrid Pollard, at the Devon and Exeter Institution Tues – Fri – 10.00 – 17.00

Sat – 10.00 – 16.00

 Exhibition of two new pieces of work by Pollard: artist, research partner, and Turner prize nominee. The works, created in response to the histories of Devon and the South West, will be displayed alongside a curated selection of books from our collections. Free and open to all  / drop in during opening hours
Friday 9th – Sunday 18th September

(During opening hours)

 Exeter and the Great Exhibition of 1851 Tues – Fri 10.00 – 17.00

Sat – 10.00 – 16.00

 A table top book display, curated from our collection, exploring links between Exeter and the Great Exhibition of 1851. Free and open to all / drop in during opening hours
Saturday 10th September Make a Kaleidoscope 10.30 – 12 noon Calling all budding inventors – join us for a fun-filled kaleidoscope make!
Free for children 8+ / 12 places available / booking essential
Saturday 10th September Guided tours of the Devon and Exeter Institution 13:00 – 15.00 Discover more about our delightful heritage haven, and living library in the heart of the city. Free / drop in
Tuesday 13th September Craft a Paper Garland 17.30 – 19.00 Learn how to use repurposed materials to create your very own paper butterfly garlands to decorate your home, or give to friends. Free and open to all young people and adults / 10 places available / booking essential
Wednesday 14th September Guided tours of the Devon and Exeter Institution 10.30 – 13.00 Discover more about our delightful heritage haven, and living library in the heart of the city. Free / drop in
Thursday 15th September Create a Sustainable Planter 11.30 – 14.30 Join us in our garden to make a planet-friendly planter using sustainable resources. Free and open to all young people and adults / drop in
Saturday 17th September Bookworms Make Astounding Inventions 10.30 – 12.00 Meet up with our junior members to discover the Astounding Inventions in our special book collection, then get creative making an astounding invention of your own. Free taster session for children 5+ / 12 places available / booking essential
Saturday 17th September Guided tours of the Devon and Exeter Institution 13:00 – 15.00 Discover more about our delightful heritage haven, and living library in the heart of the city. Free / drop in

For full event details, please visit the national Heritage Open Days website here.

To book places for our events, where required, please go our bookings page here .

If you require any help, or assistance, please contact the office via email: [email protected] or call us on: 01392 274727

We look forward to welcoming you at the Institution throughout the festival!