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 | Cumbria Times Weekend Edition |
1:00 AM 29th August 2023
lifestyle
Heritage Open Days Programme Unwraps England’s History Of Creativity - Cumbria
The packed programme of more than 5000 events features everything from historic houses to factories, museums to music halls, formal gardens to graveyards, places, spaces and communities across the country who are once again hosting free events this autumn.
Hundreds of activities will adopt this year’s theme, Creativity Unwrapped, sharing England’s colourful history of creativity. The festival will celebrate the experts and enthusiastic amateurs whose passions and skills add something special to our daily lives.
Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days Marketing & Projects Manager says:
“Whether it’s art, music, writing, or another outlet, creativity moves us and shapes our history and culture. This year organisers have once again come up trumps and created a stellar programme of events which put the spotlight on the people and places who give England’s heritage the X-factor and inspire festival-goers to engage with thousands of years of creativity. And it is the organisers who make this possible, and whose hard work enables over a million people to engage with heritage, for free, on their doorstep, every September.”
“Whether it’s art, music, writing, or another outlet, creativity moves us and shapes our history and culture. This year organisers have once again come up trumps and created a stellar programme of events which put the spotlight on the people and places who give England’s heritage the X-factor and inspire festival-goers to engage with thousands of years of creativity. And it is the organisers who make this possible, and whose hard work enables over a million people to engage with heritage, for free, on their doorstep, every September.”
The festival features thousands of events and activities across the country including a wide range of places that usually charge, free sites that put on extra special events for the festival and places that aren't usually open to the public. Take a behind the scene tour of the iconic Tyne tunnels, visit the Gothic Temple - a splendid historic folly within the National Trust’s Stowe, and explore that most iconic item of creativity, the television, at the BFI Film & Television Archive.
Founded in 1994, Heritage Open Days has captured imaginations for almost 30 years. Last year more than 45,000 organisers and volunteers ran nearly 5,000 events across the country, attracting one million visits.
Around one-third of visitors had not visited a heritage site/event in the past year while 80% of festival-goers said their visit made them more proud of their local area.
A visitor from 2022 said:
“Such passionate individuals who were generous enough to share their knowledge. Forever grateful for their time and effort. It allowed me to connect with sections of the society that I do not normally interact with within the specific context.”
“Such passionate individuals who were generous enough to share their knowledge. Forever grateful for their time and effort. It allowed me to connect with sections of the society that I do not normally interact with within the specific context.”
And organisers see a real benefit:
“I feel that Heritage Open Days is really important, both to provide access to less visited/usually closed places and also to bring about more of a diverse audience than usual, opening up places for people who may usually avoid heritage attractions.”
“I feel that Heritage Open Days is really important, both to provide access to less visited/usually closed places and also to bring about more of a diverse audience than usual, opening up places for people who may usually avoid heritage attractions.”
Laura Chow, head of charities at People's Postcode Lottery, said:
“Once again Heritage Open Days organisers have come out in force for this fantastic opportunity to explore, celebrate, and enjoy England’s national heritage. It's wonderful that our players are helping to ensure Heritage Open Days events are accessible and free for all. In fact, Postcode Lottery players have now raised over £1.1 billion to support thousands of great causes, including this amazing event and many others run by the National Trust.”
“Once again Heritage Open Days organisers have come out in force for this fantastic opportunity to explore, celebrate, and enjoy England’s national heritage. It's wonderful that our players are helping to ensure Heritage Open Days events are accessible and free for all. In fact, Postcode Lottery players have now raised over £1.1 billion to support thousands of great causes, including this amazing event and many others run by the National Trust.”
Heritage Open Days is brought to you by the National Trust with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Every single Heritage Open Days event is free, including access to many sites that usually charge for admission.
Here are some events taking place in Cumbria:
Carlisle Cathedral - Prior’s Tower
The Priors Tower, The Abbey, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8TZ
A rare opportunity to see both of Carlisle Cathedral’s unique painted ceilings on the same day. The Tudor ceiling in the Prior's Tower is usually only open to view on special occasions. This year you can combine your visit with a
special bell tower tour which will enable you to view the cathedral's blue starry ceiling up close.
Saturday 16 September: 10am - 3pm
No booking required
The Priors Tower, The Abbey, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8TZ
A rare opportunity to see both of Carlisle Cathedral’s unique painted ceilings on the same day. The Tudor ceiling in the Prior's Tower is usually only open to view on special occasions. This year you can combine your visit with a
special bell tower tour which will enable you to view the cathedral's blue starry ceiling up close.
Saturday 16 September: 10am - 3pm
No booking required
Steam Yacht Gondola
Coniston Pier, Lake Road, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AN
Hop aboard and explore the Steam Yacht Gondola. You’ll hear about its radical design and experience a short demonstration of its manoeuvrability on the water. The National Trust’s Gondola has sailed on Coniston Water since 1860 and its design has hardly changed since.
Tuesday 12 September: First session: 5:15 to 6:15pm. Second session: 6:15pm to 7:15pm
Thursday 14 September: First session: 5:15 to 6:15pm. Second session: 6:15pm to 7:15pm
Pre-booking: Preferred
Coniston Pier, Lake Road, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AN
Hop aboard and explore the Steam Yacht Gondola. You’ll hear about its radical design and experience a short demonstration of its manoeuvrability on the water. The National Trust’s Gondola has sailed on Coniston Water since 1860 and its design has hardly changed since.
Tuesday 12 September: First session: 5:15 to 6:15pm. Second session: 6:15pm to 7:15pm
Thursday 14 September: First session: 5:15 to 6:15pm. Second session: 6:15pm to 7:15pm
Pre-booking: Preferred
Warwick Bridge Corn Mill
Warwick Bridge Corn Mill, Warwick Bridge, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA4 8RE
Visit this Grade 2* listed water corn mill and watch as the 180-year-old waterwheel turns to produce traditional stone-ground flour. Explore all three floors of the building, including the drying kiln.
Sunday 10 September: 11am to 4pm
No booking required
Warwick Bridge Corn Mill, Warwick Bridge, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA4 8RE
Visit this Grade 2* listed water corn mill and watch as the 180-year-old waterwheel turns to produce traditional stone-ground flour. Explore all three floors of the building, including the drying kiln.
Sunday 10 September: 11am to 4pm
No booking required
Wordsworth House and Garden
National Trust, Wordsworth House, Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9RX
Step back in time and explore Wordsworth House and Garden. This immaculately preserved Georgian townhouse was the birthplace and childhood home of romantic poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy. Presented as it would have been when they lived here, the house offers a chance to experience life in the 1770s.
Saturday 9 September: 10am to 4pm
No booking required
National Trust, Wordsworth House, Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9RX
Step back in time and explore Wordsworth House and Garden. This immaculately preserved Georgian townhouse was the birthplace and childhood home of romantic poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy. Presented as it would have been when they lived here, the house offers a chance to experience life in the 1770s.
Saturday 9 September: 10am to 4pm
No booking required
Force Crag Mine
Force Crag Mine, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TS
Take a rare opportunity to visit the processing mill at Force Crag Mine, which holds the most complete assemblage of metal ore mining machinery preserved in-situ anywhere in England. Although the underground tunnels have collapsed, you can take a look around the processing mill and see how the rock ore extracted from the mine was turned into the finished product sold to market.
Sunday 10 September: 10am to 3:30pm (last tour starts at 2:30pm)
No booking required
Force Crag Mine, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TS
Take a rare opportunity to visit the processing mill at Force Crag Mine, which holds the most complete assemblage of metal ore mining machinery preserved in-situ anywhere in England. Although the underground tunnels have collapsed, you can take a look around the processing mill and see how the rock ore extracted from the mine was turned into the finished product sold to market.
Sunday 10 September: 10am to 3:30pm (last tour starts at 2:30pm)
No booking required
Tours of the Historic Library
Hawkshead Grammar School Museum, Main Street, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0NT
Visit the library, which is usually closed to the public, and learn more about the people who helped set it up. This is one of few remaining historic school libraries which remains in-situ, inside the school building (and room) it
was set up in. The library houses approximately 1600 books, some dating back to the 16th Century. Alongside a talk and tour of the library there will be children's/family activities on offer.
Sunday 10, Thursday 14 and Friday 15 September: 11am to 4pm
No booking required
Hawkshead Grammar School Museum, Main Street, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0NT
Visit the library, which is usually closed to the public, and learn more about the people who helped set it up. This is one of few remaining historic school libraries which remains in-situ, inside the school building (and room) it
was set up in. The library houses approximately 1600 books, some dating back to the 16th Century. Alongside a talk and tour of the library there will be children's/family activities on offer.
Sunday 10, Thursday 14 and Friday 15 September: 11am to 4pm
No booking required
Barrow in Furness Bells, Organ, and Heritage at St James
Church of St James the Great, Blake Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 5UE
Come explore the spiral staircase to reach and view the ringing room and belfry high up in the tower. Plus, there are two special fast track introductory bell-ringing tuition sessions taking place for for complete beginners and lapsed ringers
Friday 15 September: Bellringing tuition 7pm to 9pm
Saturday 16 September: Open 10am to 4pm with tours at 10am and 11am, an organ recital and talk at 1pm, following by bellringing tuition at 2pm
Pre-booking: Book on day
Church of St James the Great, Blake Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 5UE
Come explore the spiral staircase to reach and view the ringing room and belfry high up in the tower. Plus, there are two special fast track introductory bell-ringing tuition sessions taking place for for complete beginners and lapsed ringers
Friday 15 September: Bellringing tuition 7pm to 9pm
Saturday 16 September: Open 10am to 4pm with tours at 10am and 11am, an organ recital and talk at 1pm, following by bellringing tuition at 2pm
Pre-booking: Book on day
The Armitt: Museum, Gallery, Library
The Armitt: Museum, Gallery, Library, Rydal Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BL
Discover the stories of remarkable women associated with the Lake District including the Armitt sisters, Beatrix Potter and Charlotte Mason. All these individuals knew of one another, and in some cases were firm friends. The strong link that connects them together is their passion for nature and the landscape. Plus, join a member of the team on a personal Walk & Talk of the museum and the Ambleside Bridge House.
Thursday 14 September: Museum open 10am to 5pm; walk & talks at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm
Pre-booking preferred
The Armitt: Museum, Gallery, Library, Rydal Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BL
Discover the stories of remarkable women associated with the Lake District including the Armitt sisters, Beatrix Potter and Charlotte Mason. All these individuals knew of one another, and in some cases were firm friends. The strong link that connects them together is their passion for nature and the landscape. Plus, join a member of the team on a personal Walk & Talk of the museum and the Ambleside Bridge House.
Thursday 14 September: Museum open 10am to 5pm; walk & talks at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm
Pre-booking preferred
Walking the Wall - Hadrian’s Wall
Birdoswald Roman Fort, Gilsland, Brampton, Cumbria, CA8 7DD
Join knowledgeable volunteer guides on a walking tour that brings to life the vibrant Roman world that once existed in this area of Cumbria. The walk between Birdoswald Roman Fort and Gilsland village explores sites such as Harrows Scar Milecastle (a mile-long section of the Wall rebuilt in stone later in Hadrian's reign), as well as Willowford Wall, Turrets and Bridge, before ending at Poltross Burn Milecastle (one of the best-preserved milecastles on Hadrian's Wall known locally as the King's Stables.)
Friday 8 September: 13:00
Monday 11 September: 13:00
Tuesday 12 September: 13:00
Wednesday 13 September: 13:00
Pre-booking required
Birdoswald Roman Fort, Gilsland, Brampton, Cumbria, CA8 7DD
Join knowledgeable volunteer guides on a walking tour that brings to life the vibrant Roman world that once existed in this area of Cumbria. The walk between Birdoswald Roman Fort and Gilsland village explores sites such as Harrows Scar Milecastle (a mile-long section of the Wall rebuilt in stone later in Hadrian's reign), as well as Willowford Wall, Turrets and Bridge, before ending at Poltross Burn Milecastle (one of the best-preserved milecastles on Hadrian's Wall known locally as the King's Stables.)
Friday 8 September: 13:00
Monday 11 September: 13:00
Tuesday 12 September: 13:00
Wednesday 13 September: 13:00
Pre-booking required
The Colour Makers House
The Colour Makers House, High Wiend, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, CA16 6RD
Visit this historic building, rebuilt in 1677 and currently undergoing restoration. View the period features and remarkable staircase leading upstairs to the artist's studio before watching a demonstration of pigments, watercolours and other paints being made.
Friday 8 September: 10.00-16.00, Demonstrations at11.00 and 13.00
Saturday 9 September: 10.00-16.00, Demonstrations at 11.00 and 13.00
Sunday 10 September: 10.00-16.00, Demonstrations at 11.00 and 13.00
Monday 11 September: 10.00-16.00
Tuesday 12 September: 10.00-16.00
Wednesday 13 September: 10.00-16.00
Thursday 14 September: 10.00-16.00
Friday 15 September: 10.00-16.00, Demonstrations at 11.00 and 13.00
Saturday 16 September: 10.00-16.00, Demonstrations at 11.00 and 13.00
Sunday 17 September: 10.00-16.00, Demonstrations at 11.00 and 13.00
No booking required
The Colour Makers House, High Wiend, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, CA16 6RD
Visit this historic building, rebuilt in 1677 and currently undergoing restoration. View the period features and remarkable staircase leading upstairs to the artist's studio before watching a demonstration of pigments, watercolours and other paints being made.
Friday 8 September: 10.00-16.00, Demonstrations at11.00 and 13.00
Saturday 9 September: 10.00-16.00, Demonstrations at 11.00 and 13.00
Sunday 10 September: 10.00-16.00, Demonstrations at 11.00 and 13.00
Monday 11 September: 10.00-16.00
Tuesday 12 September: 10.00-16.00
Wednesday 13 September: 10.00-16.00
Thursday 14 September: 10.00-16.00
Friday 15 September: 10.00-16.00, Demonstrations at 11.00 and 13.00
Saturday 16 September: 10.00-16.00, Demonstrations at 11.00 and 13.00
Sunday 17 September: 10.00-16.00, Demonstrations at 11.00 and 13.00
No booking required
For further information, and to register your event, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk.