September is the month when the UK’s heritage secrets are unlocked in two open door weekends, Heritage Open Days and Open House London.
Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to places that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission.
Buildings around the country will open their doors to the public from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th September 2013.
The following weekend, London Open House offers a host of opportunities to discover the capital’s secrets, historic or otherwise, on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September.
Green theme
This year’s Heritage Open Days programme includes some special events on a green theme. Eco homes around the country will be demonstrating how homeowners can make their period houses more energy efficient.
For details of the green homes open days, see the heritage open days local directory and/or the SuperHomes website, which is handling bookings for some of the eco houses.
Some heritage highlights
Our intern, Kathryn, has picked a few favourites from around the country:
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
See the Heritage Open Days listings for any booking requirements.
First off is Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which will be opening its doors to reveal the many treasures and stories that can be found behind the scenes of its museums and historic buildings in the popular exclusive FREE tours, as part of ‘Heritage Open Days’ from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th September.
Towneley Heritage and Woodland Festival
Burnley in Lancashire is celebrating its local heritage, countryside and woodlands. With costumed re-enactors offering guided tours of Towneley Hall, chain-saw sculptors, woodland crafts, birds of prey, wildlife exhibitions, children’s activities, a mini farmers market and the Sealed Knot at skirmish.
Towneley Park, Burnley
Sunday 15th September: 12pm – 4pm
Open Night at Oliver Cromwell’s House, Ely
A brilliant opportunity to explore Oliver Cromwell’s impressive residence in Ely, Cambridgeshire, by moonlight. View the hidden wall paintings, experience domestic life in the 17th century in re-created period rooms, and venture into the Haunted Bedroom if you dare! Tours complete with a sample of Cromwell’s Cider and the medieval tunes of Ely’s authentic Pied Piper.
29 St Mary’s Street, Ely
Friday 13th September: 5pm – 8pm
Sally’s Secret Garden
Explore this hidden gem in Chester’s heritage crown jewels. The Grade II listed building constructed in 1670, has original timber framing and brickwork, an ornate Carolean ceiling, open fireplaces and exposed beams. Sally’s Secret Garden is a walled courtyard to the rear with seating and refreshments.
22 Bridge St Row West, Chester
Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th: 9.30am – 6pm
Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s House
Immerse yourself in Beatrix Potter’s historic, literary tale. Full of all her favourite things, her beloved Hill Top is a time capsule of the author’s amazing life. Walk in her footsteps as you explore her delightful cottage garden. Be sure to look out for where Tom Kitten and his sisters played, find Jemima Puddle-Duck’s egg in the rhubarb patch, and keep an open eye for the rat holes once lived in by Samuel and Anna-Maria Whiskers!
Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Ambleside
Saturday 14th September: 10.30am – 4pm
Rayleigh Arts and Heritage Festival
Discover the rich, cultural history on show at the Rayleigh Arts and Heritage Festival, all set in the shade of Rayleigh’s Grade II listed windmill. Activities, exhibitions, workshops on all floors of the windmill, plus an open mic event and special outdoor activities; includes a visit from the Culture Cart.
Rayleigh Windmill, Bellingham Lane
Saturday 14th – Sunday 15th September: 12pm – 4pm
Tyne Theatre and Opera House – Beneath the Boards
Make the most of this unique opportunity to see the Tyne Theatre transformed into an amphitheatre of theatrical history. Beneath the Boards will reveal the dilemmas and delights that have inspired management, performers and audiences over the past 146 years. Tread the boards yourself in a Victorian pantomime, as actors bring the magnificent 19th Century auditorium and original under-stage machinery (unique in Britain) to life.
Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre, Westgate Road
Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th: Tours at 10.30am, 1pm and 3pm.
OPEN HOUSE LONDON
You need to book early to see inside some of the rarely opened gems, especially in London. Contact details are given in the buildings listings for London Open House. Four buildings are running a ballot for admission through Open House. These are: 10 Downing Street, The View from the Shard, EDF Energy London Eye and Gray’s Inn.
Cutty Sark
Explore the world’s last surviving tea clipper and only vessel to be Grade I listed. Visitors will enjoy the unique experience of walking underneath this magnificent three-masted ship, protected from the elements by an enveloping glass canopy. RIBA Award Winner 2013.
Greenwich Pier, King William Walk
Sunday 3pm – 5pm
Tower Bridge Exhibition
One of London’s most iconic and greatest feats of 19th-century engineering, made from over 11,000 tonnes of steel. Delight in the wonderful views from the high-level walkways; as well as enjoying the opportunity to see original steam engines in situ.
Tower Bridge Road
Saturday 10am – 4pm; Sunday 10am – 4pm
HM Treasury
Gain an exclusive insight into this extraordinary Grade II listed Government building, constructed between 1900-17. Refurbished to its original glory in 2002, the echoing grandeur of HM Treasury is well worth a visit. A museum of colossal, early 20th Century architecture and heritage.
1 Horse Guards Road
Saturday 9am-to-5pm
Sandycombe Lodge
The painter JMW Turner’s country retreat in Twickenham, which is now on track for restoration, will be open for London’s Open House weekend.
Sandycombe Lodge, 40 Sandycoombe Road, Twickenham
Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September, 10am – 3pm.
Published 5/09/2013 in Museums and Heritage Magazine – both online and in monthly newsletter.
Co-edited with Marie Roberts, Editor of Museums and Heritage Magazine.
Katie Morum 