Venues across Bath and North East Somerset will open up their doors this September as part of an annual nationwide celebration of history, architecture and culture.
Heritage Open Days run from Friday 13 to Sunday 22 September and give people the chance to see hidden places and try new experiences – all for free.
Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services at Bath & North East Somerset Council, explained, “Heritage Open Days are a great opportunity for our community to see inside some fascinating places – many of which aren’t normally open to the public. I hope residents of all ages will enjoy exploring the amazing heritage on our doorstep.”
There will be something for all ages and interests, for example:
Meet the Roman Baths team at Lansdown North Local History Store, and take a tour of the weird and wonderful spa collection
Visit the strongrooms at Bath Record Office, where you’ll get exclusive access to some of the rare books collection
Put on a hard hat for a very special behind-the-scenes tour of Bath Abbey’s Footprint Project
Discover Bath Jewish Burial Ground, the resting place for Bath’s Jewish community in the 19th and 20th centuries
Visit Cleveland Pools, the oldest open-air swimming pool in the UK, which will soon be restored and brought back into use
Explore Saltford Brass Mill with its working water wheel and water-powered mill
Visit Somerset & Dorset Railway Museum at Midsomer Norton and see the restored station buildings, signal box, and two museums: one in a Victorian stable block and the other in a WWII pillbox
Opening dates and times vary. Advance booking is essential at some venues.
For more information, please visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/heritageevents or www.heritageopendays.org.uk.