Following on from the success of the heritage open day weekend in 2017, this year for the first time the Heritage Open Days will take place over two weekends in September.
The Heritage Open Days started in 1994 to provide communities with the opportunity to learn and explore their local and national heritage.
Heritage Open Days is England’s contribution to European Heritage Days, which takes place across 50 different countries.
The 2018 Heritage Open Days will take place from the 6th until the 9th September with additional events on the 13th until the 16th September.
In addition to the usual events, this year will also recognise the centenary of the Universal Suffrage Act, with hundreds of events focused on ‘Extraordinary Women’. Heritage Open Days will also be launching an Unsung Stories project this year.
Below is a selection of the events this year:
Kingston Guided Walking Tour
A guided tour around historic Kingston, learning about the people who lived in Kingston from the Saxons to the present day. Pre-booking is required for the tours which start at 11am on both Saturdays and Sundays. www.kingstontourguides.org.uk
Victorian Architecture in the Reading Abbey Quarter
A tour of the buildings in the Abbey Quarter designed by the Victorian architects: Alfred Waterhouse, A. W. N. Pugin and George Gilbert-Scott. The tour lasts around one hour and fifteen minutes and starts at 11am and 2pm on the 13th September. Pre-booking is required. www.readingmuseum.org.uk
Penn House Estate, Amersham, Buckinghamshire
Ground floor tour of Penn House conducted by the Earl and Countess Howe. Guests are also welcome to view the grounds after the tour. Tours last around one hour and are at 10am, 11:30am and 2:30pm on the 7th and 8th September. Pre-booking is required. www.pennhouse.org.uk
Maintaining Your Historic Brighton & Hove Home
Advice on how to maintain your historic home and ensure you are obtaining good value for money. The session is on Saturday 8th September from 2pm until 3pm. Pre-booking is required. www.rth.org.uk
Court Barn Conservative Club, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire
A guided tour of the 16th Century listed building. Tours start at 9:30am, 10:45am and 2pm on the 13th and 14th September and last approximately 45 minutes. Pre-booking is required. www.gosportheritage.co.uk
Nuclear Bunker, Whitstable
A chance to view a nuclear bunker not normally open to the public. Climb down the 15 foot ladder and learn more about the history of warfare from a local historian. Open Saturday 15th September from 12pm until 3pm. No booking required. www.heritageopendays.org.uk
Battersea Arts Centre Greater London
Tours and stories of the building’s past. Architects, Haworth Tompkins, will also be leading site tours on 8th September focusing on the architecture and refurbishment work recently carried out on the building. Open from 10am until 5pm on the 6th – 8th September and the 13th – 15th September. No booking required, tours will be on a first come first served basis. www.heritageopendays.org.uk
The Sash Window Workshop
At The Sash Window Workshop we have over 20 years’ experience manufacturing, installing and repairing timber windows and doors in period properties across London and the South.
We understand the importance of preserving a building’s heritage and the additional challenges that can arise from working on a period home. We can also comply with conservation area and listed property requirements when required.
To obtain a free, no obligation quotation contact us on: 01344 868 668.
Please note that these events are subject to change. For a full list of the events for 2018, visit the Heritage Open Days website.