The return of Heritage Open Days...

Posted on Tue 27 Aug

September sees the return of Heritage Open Days, a nationwide festival of history & culture (Friday 6 to Sunday 15 September). The annual event offers people the chance to check out hidden places and sample new experiences - all for free. Here are just some of the venues and activities you can enjoy around the region...

BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham Honey Show - Winterbourne House & Garden, 58 Edgbaston Park Road, B15 2RT

Winterbourne has seven acres of stunning botanical garden for you to explore - but this particular event is all about its 'buzzing' residents, the honey bees. The Honey Show includes a chance to see the bees in glass observation hives, attend live bee demonstrations (weather permitting) and meet local beekeepers. Stalls for all the family, activities and plant sales also feature.

Sat 7 & Sun 8 Sept | 10.30am-5pm, no pre-booking required

Bournville Model Boat Club - Valley Parkway, Bournville Lane, Bournville, B30 1QS

Bournville Model Yachting Club was founded in 1923 at Rowheath Park. By 1926, George Cadbury had commissioned an area of marshland to be reclaimed, and the Valley Pool officially opened in 1933. The sailing of yachts and power boats has taken place there on a regular basis since then. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the updated boathouse, historical artefact & photographic display, and get up close to the model boats in action.

Sat 14 Sept | 10am-4pm, no pre-booking required

Cadbury Archives - Mondelez International, Bournville Lane, Bournville, B30 2HP

The Cadbury Archives have undergone a refurbishment to mark Cadbury’s 200th anniversary this year. They serve as a treasure trove of historical artefacts, documents and memorabilia, showcasing the evolution of the Cadbury business and brand from its beginnings through to the present day. Featuring nearly 50,000 Cadbury items, including ones dating as far back as 1842, the archives are home to some of the rarest Cadbury documents and artefacts in the world.

Sat 14 Sept | 10am-4pm, pre-booking required

West Midlands Police Museum Collections Store Tour - West Midlands Police Museum, The Lock Up, 40 Steelhouse Lane, B4 6BJ

The West Midlands Police Museum is now located in the old Victorian Lock Up on Steelhouse Lane in Birmingham city centre. In the atmospheric setting of a building that was opened in 1891, the museum tells the fascinating story of policing in the region, going right back to the 1830s. On this special tour, the museum manager will take you behind the scenes into the archives, where some of the oldest and most precious items can be found. The tour includes the chance to see some of the very earliest mugshots taken in the UK, criminal records going back over 150 years and a number of delicate items that are unsuitable to be on display.

Fri 13 & Sat 14 Sept | 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm, pre-booking required

WARWICKSHIRE

Coventry Cathedral - Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5AB

Coventry Cathedral is a place where medieval history meets modern architecture. Internationally recognised as a beacon of hope, the venue embodies a spirit of peace and reconciliation in a truly breathtaking setting.

Explore the ruined cathedral, destroyed in the Coventry Blitz during World War Two, and the iconic ‘new’ cathedral, featuring works by some of the greatest artists of the 1950s and 60s. Transport yourself back to 1940s Coventry in the Blitz Museum, or climb 180 steps up the tower for 360˚ views of the city.

Mon 9 - Sun 15 Sept | Mon-Sat 10am-4pm & Sun 12pm-3pm, no pre-booking required

Coughton Court - Coughton Court, Coughton, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 5JA

Coughton Court has been home to the Throckmorton family for more than 600 years. Visitors can find out all about their story - including their link to the Gunpowder Plot - and also check out the gardens, enjoy a riverside walk and admire the beautiful display of roses in the walled garden.

Coughton Court remains open despite currently being the subject of a £3.3million building conservation project. Explore its history and collections via new displays in the house, and learn more about the ongoing project in the Through The Roof exhibition.

Sat 7 Sept | 11am-5pm, no pre-booking required

Lunt Roman Fort Tours - Coventry Road, Baginton, Coventry, CV8 3AJ

Join Roman soldiers Rufus and Gnaeus as they lead groups on a two-hour tour around this historic site, dating back to 60AD.

Climb up the newly renovated ramparts to enjoy the view, experience the gyrus - where it’s believed Ancient Roman soldiers trained their cavalry - explore the reconstructed granary, and learn about the Roman legions, their armour and the other items on display from Culture Coventry’s collections.

Sat 14 Sept | 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm, pre-booking required

Treasures of the Archives - Herbert Art Gallery & Museum - Herbert Art Gallery, Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5QP

Explore the treasures of Coventry Archives via a guided behind-the-scenes tour.
As well as being provided with an overview of the collections and resources, visitors will also get the chance to see some of the more exclusive and precious items in the museum’s historic collections.

Sat 7 Sept | 11am & 1pm, pre-booking required

WORCESTERSHIRE

Avoncroft Museum - Redditch Road, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 4JR

Avoncroft Museum offers families a unique opportunity to join in with members of Colonel Nicholas Devereux’s Regiment in the grounds and buildings of the venue.
The immersive weekend event features displays, demonstrations and plenty of opportunities to get hands-on with history.

Sat 7 & Sun 8 Sept | 10am-4pm, no pre-booking required

The Commandery - Sidbury, Worcester, WR1 2HU

Set in the heart of historic Worcester, The Commandery is famous for having been the Royalist headquarters during the 1651 Battle of Worcester - the deciding confrontation of the English Civil War.
Visitors can enjoy the museum and beautiful gardens for free. Highlights include the Civil War Story - explaining Worcester’s vital role in the conflict - the magnificent medieval Painted Chamber and the Great Hall.

Sun 15 Sept | 10am-3pm, no pre-booking required

Historic Graffiti Tour - Worcester Cathedral, Worcestershire, WR1 2LA

This guided tour of the historic graffiti of Worcester Cathedral explores the marks left by those who built it, and by those who have worshipped and visited there, from the Middle Ages to the present day.

The graffiti shows the changing nature of belief, practice and worship across the centuries, in the process revealing the personalities, thoughts and fears of those who visited the venue. The guided tour of the graffiti, both inside and outside the cathedral building, lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

Sat 14 Sept | 12pm & 3pm, no pre-booking required

The Tudor House Museum - 16 Church Street, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcester, WR8 0HT

Upton’s historic Tudor House Museum has recently been refurbished and is ready to welcome visitors on both Heritage Open Day weekends for an informative one-hour guided history walk around the town.

Guides will cover a range of topics during the walk, including the battle of Upton in 1651, the role that the river played in influencing trade, the floods, and celebrated personalities. After the walk, visitors can explore the museum and garden, which are cared for by a dedicated team of volunteers.

Sat 7 & Sun 8 and Sat 14 & Sun 15 Sept | 1.30pm, no pre-booking required

WOLVERHAMPTON & BLACK COUNTRY

Aldridge Transport Museum - Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, Shenstone Drive, Aldridge, WS9 8TP

Take advantage of free entry to the Aldridge Transport Museum, housed in a former manufacturing unit and featuring buses, smaller commercial vehicles, two-wheeled bicycles and motorbikes.

For the most part, the vehicles on display were either built or operated in the West Midlands, and visitors can enjoy the exhibits up close. There are a number of buses that you can climb aboard, and if resources allow, short trips around the Aldridge area will run on both of the days.

Sat 14 & Sun 15 Sept | 10.30am-4pm, no pre-booking required

Dudley Zoo & Castle - Zoological Drive, Discovery Way, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 4AL

Enjoy a late afternoon at the 11th-century castle in the heart of Dudley Zoo. The venue is opening its doors for free, with members of the general public able to access the castle courtyard, keep, undercroft and visitor centre.

Although guided tours aren’t available, the castle’s historian will be happy to answer any questions.

Thurs 12 & Fri 13 Sept | 5pm-7.30pm, pre-booking required

Stourbridge Glass Museum - Stuart Works, High Street, Wordsley, DY8 4FB

Stourbridge Glass Museum is opening its doors for Heritage Open Day, giving visitors the opportunity to check out two floors of historical and contemporary glass exhibitions, live hot glassmaking and glass engravers demonstrating their skills.

The main event begins at 2pm, with a live auction hosted by Simon Cottle, chair of the Glass Society.

Sat 14 Sept | 10.30am-4.30pm (live auction 2-2.30pm), no pre-booking required

Wightwick Manor & Gardens - Wightwick Manor, Bridgnorth Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 8BN

Wightwick Manor & Gardens is granting free entry on two Heritage Open Days, inviting families to experience the charm of a home filled with Pre-Raphaelite art and William Morris interiors. The De Morgan Gallery will be open from 11am to 4pm.

Visitors can walk off their tearoom lunch and ice cream by taking a stroll around the garden, with 19-acres available to explore.

Sat 14 & Sun 15 Sept | 10am-5pm, no pre-booking required

STAFFORDSHIRE

Moorcroft - Sandbach Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 2DQ

Operating out of the original brick factory in Stoke-on-Trent - and coming complete with its own Grade II listed bottle oven - museum & heritage visitor centre Moorcroft uses the distinctive slip-trailing methods pioneered by William Moorcroft at the end of the 19th century.

The site is throwing open its working factory doors for three days, with all production departments available to visit.

Wed 11 - Fri 13 Sept | 10.30am-4.30pm, no pre-booking required

Staffordshire Heritage & Archives - Unit G, Beacon Business Park, Weston Road, Stafford, ST18 0WL

Go behind the scenes and check out Staffordshire Archives & Heritage’s fascinating stored collection.
Although this is a self-guided visit, staff and volunteers will be on hand to highlight treasures, explain their conservation and heritage roles, direct visitors around the site and answer questions.

Tues 10 Sept | hourly slots from 10.30am - 2.30pm, pre-booking required

St Editha’s Church Tamworth Tower - St. Edithas Close, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7DA

A chance to climb the rare double helix staircase of St Editha’s Church in Tamworth, built around 1400. The double helix construction means that two staircases twist around one central post, similar to DNA. Visitors can ascend the outer staircase, walk around the battlements, then descend the inner staircase to view the bells and ringing room.

Sat 14 Sept | 11am-2pm, no pre-booking required

V&A Wedgwood Collection - V&A Wedgwood Collection, Wedgwood Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, ST12 9ER

Take a look behind the scenes of the Unpacking Project at V&A Wedgwood Collection, courtesy of a guided tour around the storage space.

The team are currently in the midst of a project to unpack and catalogue all stored collections of more than 65,000 objects. Visitors can learn about how the collection is cared for and the creativity behind the objects that are being unwrapped.

Wed 11 - Fri 13 Sept | 11am-12pm, pre-booking required

SHROPSHIRE

Dudmaston Hall - Dudmaston Hall, Bridgnorth, WV15 6QN

Take advantage of free entry to this lived-in family home at the heart of a working Shropshire estate.
A much-loved home for over 875 years, the family rooms are scattered with photos. The unexpected galleries create a total contrast, with their crisp and formal lines designed by the last owner, Lady Labouchere. Meanwhile, the gardens provide amazing vistas, while the orchard is the perfect place to relax and enjoy watching your children let off steam.

Sun 8 - Thurs 12, & Sun 15 Sept | 10.30am-4.30pm, no pre-booking required

Haughmond Abbey - Haughmond Abbey, Haughmond, Uffington, Shrewsbury, SY4 4RW

Join an expert team of English Heritage volunteers for an exclusive tour of Haughmond Abbey.
The popular visitor attraction includes extensive remains of the Augustinian abbey, including its abbots’ quarters, refectory and cloister. The substantially surviving chapter house has a frontage richly bedecked with 12th- and 14th-century carving and statuary, and a fine timber roof from around 1500.

Mon 9 - Thurs 12 Sept | 11am, pre-booking required

Iron Bridge guided tours - The Iron Bridge, Telford, TF8 7JP

The world’s first iron bridge was erected over the River Severn in Shropshire in 1779. This pioneering structure marked a turning point in English design and engineering; after it was built, cast iron came to be widely used in the construction of bridges, aqueducts and buildings.

Join knowledgeable volunteers to find out more about this fascinating site and its history.

Sat 7 - Thurs 12 Sept | 11am & 1pm, pre-booking required

Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings Spring Gardens, Shrewsbury, SY1 2SZ

Visit Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings’ Mill exhibition for free across a mid-month Heritage Open Days weekend. Learn all about the first iron-framed building, why it was built in iron, and the lives of the people who worked in the buildings.

Sat 14 & Sun 15 Sept | 10am-4pm, pre-booking preferred

For further information about Heritage Open Days across the region, visit the website at heritageopendays.org.uk.