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Where will you visit for Heritage Open Days?

September 11, 2014

From today, Heritage Open Days celebrate the best of England’s architecture by inviting you in behind the doors of some of our most unique properties.

Claydon_House_Bucks_OpeningWeekend_2014-023 — Claydon House, Buckinghamshire

For four days each September, heritage properties that are normally closed to the public or charge for admission offer free access and opening to the public. From country estates and factories to town halls and Art Deco cinemas – there are a wealth of beautiful properties waiting to welcome you in from today until the 14 September.

Colne_Valley_Postal_History_Museum_03SteveKnight — Colne Valley Postal History Museum, Essex

Heritage Open Days started out in 1994 as England’s contribution to the European Heritage Days programme. Since opening the doors of some 700 sites around the country, it has now developed into the largest and most popular grassroots heritage event. It is now funded by English Heritage, which looks after historic properties around the country.

Leeds_Grand_Theatre_Auditorium_c2_Leeds_Grand_Theatre_and_Opera_House_Tony_O’Connell — Grand Theatre Auditorium, Leeds

Some of the properties belong to the National Trust and some are more peculiar properties, such as the Marks & Spencer Archive, the Mersey Tunnels, the Kielder Observatory. Some private homes even open to the public.

Limnerslease_Guildford_c2_Anne_Purkiss — Limnerlease House, Guildford

The Heritage Open Days programme will be celebrating its 20^th anniversary in 2014. To help the celebrations they have launched a ‘Selfie’ Facebook page where they are inviting people to share photos under the theme ‘Me and My Heritage’. They’re also inviting people to join in on Twitter using the hashtag #hodselfie.

Stowe_Buckinghamshire_1 — Stowe, Buckinghamshire

Celebrity chef, Lloyd Grossman, the organisation’s patron said: “Over the last two decades we’ve enabled millions of people to visit thousands of places that are normally closed to the public, helping to put local heritage at the forefront of community life throughout England. This summer we’re looking forward to our most spectacular festival ever – a unique national celebration that brings our hidden history to life.”