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Heritage Open Days
| Every year in September, Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s rich architecture, history and culture. In 2008, the event will take place on the weekend of 13-14 September. Thousands of buildings of all ages and styles, many of which are not usually open to the public, open their doors free of charge. The Civic Trust has coordinated Heritage Open Days since 1994 as part of a commitment to improving the quality of life in cities, towns and villages, while English Heritage, the champion of England’s historic environment, is the Civic Trust’s key partner for this event. |
The Biggin, Hitchin | For 2008, The Hitchin Society is promoting access to twelve historic and interesting buildings in Hitchin and the adjacent parishes of Ickleford, Preston, St Ippolyts and Great Wymondley. Highlights include a family activity day at Hitchin Museum on Saturday, with a living history theme in which displays will be brought to life by a Victorian lady, a Tudor apothecary and a WW2 ARP warden. At St Katherine’s church in Ickleford, also on Saturday, a craft demonstration offers weaving, lace and card making, floral art and much more. The British Schools Museum has guided tours of unique elementary school buildings including the only surviving 1837 monitorial classroom and a rare 1853 galleried classroom. For a map of participating venues, please download the pdf here. Details of this year's events in Letchworth Garden City and other parts of North Hertfordshire will appear on this site as they become available. If you would like to add your Heritage Open Day event, please contact Letchworth Museum. |
According to the Civic Trust, “Heritage Open Days is England’s largest voluntary cultural event“. From 1 August, you can collect a leaflet with a map, times and events for all twelve venues from libraries, Town Centre Initiative Office (Churchyard, Hitchin) and David’s Bookshop (Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City).
Detailed programme 2008
The Biggin (Biggin Lane, Hitchin)
Saturday 13 September 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday 14 September 2.30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
The Biggin is a timber framed building with central courtyard dating from 1361 and an interesting Tuscan colonnade. Originally a Gilbertine Priory, it was converted to almshouses in the mid seventeenth century
British Schools Museum (Queen Street, Hitchin)
Saturday 13 September 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday 14 September 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Unique elementary school buildings including only surviving 1837 monitorial schoolroom and rare 1853 galleried classroom. Guided tours and Discovery trail. Tea room.
Friends Meeting House (Bedford Road, Hitchin)
Saturday 13 September 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday 14 September 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
A modern building standing above the old Quaker burial ground. Displays and guided tour.
Hitchin Museum (Paynes Park, Hitchin)
Living History Day on Saturday 13 September 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Objects and displays will be brought to life by a Victorian Lady, a Tudor Apothecary and a WW2 ARP warden. Lots of hands on activities for children and families. The Museum is housed in a Grade 2 Listed 1825 Georgian house with displays of Hitchin’s industrial and social past. Physic Garden and Victorian Chemist Shop.
Holy Saviour Church (Radcliffe Road, Hitchin)
Saturday 13 September 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
A beautiful church by the famous Victorian architect William Butterfield. History display.
Broadway Cinema (Broadway, Letchworth)Guided Tours are available between 10am - 1pm. Spaces are limited, advance booking essential. |
Princess Helena College (Preston)
Sunday 14 September 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The site of the largest Knights Templar preceptory outside London, on which stands a 1714 Queen Anne Mansion. Extended by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1907/8. Gardens influenced by Gertrude Jekyll.
St Ippolyts Church (St Ippolyts)
Thursday 11, Friday 12 and Saturday 13 September 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday 14 September 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Dedicated to the eastern St Hippolytus, one of only two such dedications in the UK. Traditionally founded in 1087, enlarged in the fourteenth century and restored in the nineteenth.
St Katherine’s Church (Ickleford)
Thursday 11 September 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Restoration display, Friday 12 September 10 a.m - 5.30 p.m.. Restoration display and after school fun kids’ activities and baked potatoe tea. Saturday 13 September 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Crafts ancient and modern. Refreshments. Sunday 14 September Service 9.30 a.m. Cream teas 3.30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
St Mary’s Church (Great Wymondley)
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Early twelfth century church restored in the nineteenth century.
St Mary's Church (Churchyard, Hitchin)
Saturday 13 September 10.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday 14 September 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
The largest parish church in Hertfordshire, with many medieval features. The font dates from 1470.
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church (Upper Tilehouse Street, Hitchin)
Saturday 13 September 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
One of the oldest Baptist Fellowships (1699), with Bunyan connections. The present church was built in 1844. Small display of old pictures and records
Walsworth Road Baptist Church (Walsworth Road, Hitchin)
Saturday 13 September 9.30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Founded in 1867 following the railway coming to Hitchin in 1850, the church was built as a Mission Hall on land owned by Richard Johnson, a G.N.R Engineer. Light refreshments available.