Discover more: Heritage open days returns

England’s largest festival of history and culture returns in September, and for the first time, the programme will include a mix of virtual tours and digital experiences as well as in-person events.

New online activities mean that communities across the South West will be able to celebrate the stories of the places and spaces that are important to them in different and innovative ways. Meanwhile, people from across the country will be able to 'visit' the region and participate in events such as interactive workshops and digital tours from the comfort of their home.

Many events will be also exploring this year’s theme - Hidden Nature - offering opportunities to discover the secret histories and stories of not just our natural landscapes, but also gardens, urban green spaces, farms, waterways, buildings and culture.

“Heritage Open Days is all about sharing amazing stories of the places, spaces, nature, heritage and history around us, and feeling part of a community has never been more important”, says Annie Reilly, Head of Producing at Heritage Open Days. “We’ve been planning new ways to keep people connected with each other and their local area, whether it’s from home with our new digital programme or exploring Hidden Nature in the great outdoors”.

In-person events will include exclusive walks, talks and exhibitions and explore archives, tunnels and gardens not normally open to the public, with adherence to local government guidelines ensuring a safe and relaxing visit. Continued support from players of People's Postcode Lottery means every Heritage Open Days event is free - including entry to museums, country houses and other attractions which usually charge for admission.

Here’s a look at just some of this year’s highlights in the region:

DIGITAL EVENTS

Celebrate Clay Country: Landscapes in Lockdown, Cornwall (online)

Get creative with a series of video tutorials, dance workshops and downloadable family-fun craft activities exploring the history of Cornwall’s landscape and local clay mining heritage. Visitors can also experience a community performance of ‘Our Proud Roots’ celebrating the environment.

Fri 11th – Sun 20th, available anytime

 

Hemyock Castle, Devon (online)

See the rare surviving ruins of Hemyock's medieval castle, with a special online video tour and live Q&A. Viewers will get an up-close look at rarely seen historic features of the manor house, learn about the apple-mill and cider-press, as well as getting a view of the castle’s gatehouse archway, towers and moat.

Fri 11th – Sun 20th, available anytime; Q&A: Sun 13th, 5pm

 

Discovering Cheltenham Film Tour, Cheltenham Civic Society, Cheltenham (online)

Enjoy a specially produced short film about the architecture and history of Lypiatt Terrace. Viewers will learn about how its unusual Italianate style signaled a shift from Regency to Victorian styles, while uncovering stories about some of its past residents.

Fri 11th  – Sun 20th, available anytime

HIDDEN NATURE

Torre Abbey Gardens, Torre Abbey, Torquay (in-person / online)

Enjoy Torre Abbey gardens with a ‘Now and Then’ on-site guided tour showing visitors what the gardens and romantic ruins looked like in the past. Online, a ‘Naughty by Nature’ horticulture trail will explore Hidden Nature, from Latin names that will make you blush, to plants that look a bit saucy!

Online, Fri 11th – Sun 20th, available anytime; in-person, Sat 12th, 10am – 5pm (booking required)

 

A Ballad of Anchor Head Cove, Theatre Orchard, Weston-super-Mare

Join a performance-led walk-and-talk around the Hidden Nature of this coastal spot. Participants on the day will hear the story of a 1920s sea swimmer through a newly commissioned soundtrack available to download from locally displayed QR codes.

Sat 19th, 11:30am and 2pm (booking required)

 

Eels, Eagles and Unicorns: Hidden Nature in Exeter Custom House, Exeter (online)

Hear a series of short storytelling films produced for the festival. Inspired by myths and legends of the creatures hidden inside Exeter’s 17th century Custom House, participants will discover eels in the ornate plaster ceiling, eagles featured on stamps used to mark bales of wool, and a unicorn on the heraldic shield!

Fri 11th – Sun 20th, available anytime

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

St Mary Street Revealed, Chippenham Museum, Chippenham

Enjoy a self-guided trail around this picturesque area, noted by John Betjeman and featured in the opening credits of the Antiques Roadshow. As well as admiring the view, visitors can use their smartphones to hear an audible tour revealing the people and stories behind the beautiful facades.

Fri 11th – Sun 20th, available anytime

 

Foster's Almshouses and Three Kings of Cologne Chapel, Bristol

Take a rare chance to see inside these Grade II* listed Almshouses, which are not normally open to the public. Visitors on these exclusive tours will learn about their original use as well as changes since they were founded over 500 years ago.

Sat 19th and Sun 20th, 10am – 5pm (booking required)

 

Carboot Disco Bingo, Theatre Orchard, Weston-super-Mare

Dance along at this interactive game, bringing bingo and disco dancing together. Learn the moves for each number, then perform them to feel-good pop tracks from the 60s and 70s as they’re drawn. Classic seaside fun for the whole family!

Sat 19th, 1pm and 3pm

Event listing are now available at www.heritageopendays.org.uk

To ensure that visitors are safe and that events can keep to the latest government guidelines, all event details are subject to change or cancellation. Visitors should re-check details on our website and read the festival COVID considerationsbefore confirming their plans nearer the time.