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Heritage Open Days are back, this time with a theme of Astounding Inventions! Every September, volunteers and heritage organisations across England come together to celebrate the country’s history and heritage by offering free sessions, workshops and entries into hundreds of heritage attractions. This year, Heritage Open Days will be taking place from 9th until 18th September, below is a selection of some of the event’s accessible open days, so make sure to get these dates in your diary and find out more about your region’s history!
All Saints Church, Ascot Heath
All Saints Church, London Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8DQ
17th September, 10.30 – 4.30pm
All Saints Church are offering you the chance to visit this Grade II listed church which has been serving the community since the 1860s. The church features wall paintings and beautiful stained glass, as well as other Victorian features and memorials to several local heroes.
The building, which is not usually open to the public, is accessible and children are welcome to join in.
Access information:
The site has full wheelchair access, accessible parking onsite, accessible toilets onsite, hearing loops, assistance dogs are welcome, pushchair accessible, baby changing facilities. Find out more.
Behind the scenes…. The archives
Bolton Central Library and Museum, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton, BL1 1SE
17th September, 11am onwards
Free tours of the Bolton Archives strong room which is not usually accessible to the public. Visitors will need to be booked in advance.
Access information:
The site as full wheelchair access, accessible toilets, assistance dogs welcome, baby changing facilities. Find out more.
Behind the scenes … The Museum
St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LH
17th September, tours at 10.30 and 11.15am
A chance to see some of the behind the scenes areas of the museum. Those with limited mobility will not be able to see the 16th century wall painting that was created during the reign of Elizabeth I due to steep stairs. The painting is not usually on display to the public and anyone wanting to view it should book in advance.
Access information:
Partial wheelchair access, accessible toilets, assistance dogs, baby changing facilities. Find out more.
Church of our lady of Mercy and St Godric
Church of our Lady of Mercy and St Godric, 2 Castle Chare, Durham, DH1 45A
9th – 17th September, 10am – 2pm
Located between the train and bus stations is this Grade II listed church which is not usually open to the public. This Victorian era church has some beautiful examples of stained glass.
Access information:
Full wheelchair access, accessible parking, accessible toilets, hearing loops, assistance dogs welcome, pushchair access. Find out more.
Biggleswade Inventions and Inventors
Trinity Methodist Church, Shortmead Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 0AP
10th September, 11.30 -3.30
An exhibition of local inventions from Biggleswade, including a selection of inventions from Dan Albone. This event is being held especially for Heritage Open Days.
Access information:
Full wheelchair access, accessible parking onsite, accessible toilets onsite, assistance dogs welcome, pushchair accessible. Find out more.
Electra Boat Heritage Weekend talks and viewings
Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes MK14 5DZ
Talks – 17th September, 12.30pm, 1.15pm, 2pm and 2.45pm
Viewings – 17th September, 11.30am, 3.15pm and 18th September, 1.15pm
A chance to step aboard the Electra community boat and find out more about how electric boats work as well as the Grand Union Canal which runs through Milton Keynes.
Booking is required for this event, which is being held especially for Heritage Open Days.
Access information:
Partial wheelchair access, accessible parking onsite, accessible toilets onsite, hearing loops, assistance dogs welcome, pushchair friendly. Find out more.
Fabrica and Holy Trinity Church
40 Duke Street, Brighton BN1 1AG
13th September, 2pm-3pm, 3.20pm-4.20pm, 4.40pm – 5.40pm
Suitable for all ages and with accessible facilities onsite, it’s a chance to find out more about this 200 year old building in the heart of Brighton. This event is free, but there will be limited numbers of people allowed for each session.
Access information:
Fully wheelchair accessible, accessible toilets, assistance dogs welcome, pushchair accessible, baby changing facilities. Find out more.
George Murgatroyd and the Brine Pump Works
Brooks Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 0JG
17th and 18th September, 12 noon – 4pm
The chance to discover the Murgatroyd Brine Pump Works in Middlewhich with this newly restored monument which tells the story of this industry. The site is uneven in places as it is an industrial site, however, there is level access in the front and back of the building and there is disabled parking at the gate.
Access information:
Partial wheelchair access, accessible parking outside, accessible toilet facilities, assistance dogs welcome. Find out more.
Great Linford Manor Guided Walks and Family Trail
Parklands, Great Linford, Milton Keynes MK14 5DZ
16th – 18th September, guided walks at various times during the day.
17th September, family trail from 2.30pm
Take a guided walk or follow the family trail at around Great Linford Manor Park. Open as part of Heritage Open Days, this is a great chance to explore this Georgian estate and find out more about the medieval village of Great Linford. Prebooking is essential for both events.
Access information:
Partial wheelchair access, accessible parking, accessible toilet facilities, pushchair friendly. Find out more.
Leaside Church and Community Centre
High Street, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9BZ
10th September, 10am – 4pm
Originally built as the Independent Chapel 1816, it was rebuilt as a Congregational Church in the 1850s. The building has been linked to create an accessible building for the community and is not usually open to the public.
Access information:
Fully wheelchair accessible, accessible toilets, assistance dogs welcome.
Quaker Samplers Collection Talk
Quaker Tapestry Ltd, Friends Meeting House, Stramongate, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4BH
9th – 10th September, talks at various points during the day.
A chance to find out the history of the Quaker movement and handle some samples for yourself.
Access information:
Earlier talks will only have partial wheelchair access, while later ones will have full wheelchair access, accessible parking, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities. Find out more.
Trengwainton Garden
Trengwainton Garden, Boscathnoe Lane, Penzance, Cornwall TR20 8RZ
11th – 12th September, 10 am – 5pm
Only for Heritage Open Days, non members can enjoy free entry to this National Trust garden. The wooded garden features rare plants, while the kitchen garden is built to the dimensions of Noah’s Ark and offers some lovely sea views.
Around 75% of the garden is wheelchair friendly though there is a slight incline and there are all terrain mobility trampers available to hire when booked in advance.
Access information:
Partial wheelchair access. Accessible parking (there is separate disabled parking near the garden entrance and a drop off point near reception), accessible toilets, hearing loops, pushchair friendly, assistance dogs welcome.
This is just a selection of the events taking place for Heritage Open Days. Find more accessible events here.
