ENGLAND’S largest annual festival of history and culture takes place over the next two weekends.
Heritage Open Days takes in everywhere from castles and historic houses, to factories and council offices, all throwing open their doors across 5,000 events – and they’re all completely free.
To celebrate 100 years since British women first got the vote, this year’s theme is Extraordinary Women, and many events will be uncovering and acknowledging local community heroines.
For the first time ever, the festival has been extended across two weekends – from today until Sunday, and from next Thursday 13 until Sunday 16.
There are around 50 events planned in Cumbria. Among the highlights are Silverthwaite, in Skelwith Bridge, Ambleside, opening its doors to the public to see the Arts & Craft-inspired décor, Morecambe Bay’s Hidden Heritage exhibition at the Dock Museum, in Barrow, and Cumbria Archive & Local Studies Centre, in Whitehaven, offering three tours of its archive strong room.
New for this year, Greenburn Mine, in the Little Langdale Valley, hosts a free ‘walk and talk’ tour to discover reminders of the Lake District's industrial heritage amongst beautiful mountain views.
The tour will finish with a visit to the newly-installed hydro scheme in the valley.
The Beatrix Potter Gallery, in Hawkshead, will be involved in the special Extraordinary Women programme, showing the original artwork of Beatrix Potter, as well as handwritten letters and personal items that will also be on display in this free out-of-hours tour. This is a rare opportunity to view the collection away from the crowds and learn about her life beyond the books.
Heritage Open Days is made possible by funding from the National Trust and players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, and is England’s contribution to European Heritage Days, taking place across 50 countries.
Festival highlights across the North West also include Victoria Baths, in Manchester, and Blackpool Illuminations Depot.
For a full programme of events and opening times, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here