Thousands of free events are taking place this month across the country in the Heritage Open Days festival. It’s run by the National Trust, with the support of People’s Postcode Lottery and the aim is to celebrate heritage, community and history and give people the chance to explore a range of heritage sites in their local area, including historic buildings, cemeteries, libraries, industrial sites and churches – all for free.
A police archive unlocked
The Museum of Policing in Devon and Cornwall archive contains thousands of documents and photographs dating as far back as the early Victorian period. It’s housed at the Devon Records Office in Exeter and contains 200 years' of policing ephemera, from documents to maps, beat books to benevolent society registers, photographs, pocket books, crime scene investigations and even information on wartime aircraft crash sites.
It’s housed in roller racks in a secure strong room and there will be a guided tour enabling people to understand more about these important research resources.
Wednesday, September 13.
The footprint of the past
Current and former residents of Teignmouth can see what was on the site of their house in 1841 when the tithe maps were drawn up. The town’s museum will have a beautiful, hand-drawn, to scale, 1841 tithe map of Teignmouth with an overlay of present day Teignmouth. Visitors can find individual buildings and streets and see the changes that have occurred. Museum volunteers will be on hand to explain the nature of the tithe map, the likely use of the land in 1841 and the name of the field or building on which individual properties now stand.
Saturday, September 9.
Diving into the 18th century
Saltram on the outskirts of Plymouth is a house full of treasures, stories and intrigue, set in landscaped grounds overlooking the River Plym. The house was home to the Parker family from 1743 and reflects their high standing and prominent lifestyle during the Georgian period, so it contains lots of treasures from this time. It has one of the best and most complete rooms designed by architect Robert Adam dating to 1772. After exploring the house, there’s a beautiful garden, complete with follies and an 18th century orangery, plus a park that cyclists, walkers, and all four-legged friends love to explore.
Friday, September 8 to Sunday, September 17.
Creating a town’s story
Bampton is an historic charter town on the edge of Exmoor, known for its past wool and pony trade, its Norman castle and 12th century church. Bampton Heritage and Visitor Centre is hosting an exhibition of artwork, writing, song and displays all created by Bampton residents from photographs and using objects from the museum’s collection. The exhibition is a unique collection of work by creative individuals – artists, writers and photographers - alongside the original objects that inspired them. In addition there will be videos on the town’s local history asn audio stories to listen to.
Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9.
Behind listed walls
The stunning Grantlands estate in Uffculme was built in the 1860s, with all the buildings on the main part of the estate being Grade II-listed. For the Heritage Open Days visitors will have the chance to walk through an unchanged 19th century private estate in the heart of the village – one that is usually not open to the public. It was built as a ‘gentleman’s farm’ by the Rev’d George Marker of St Mary’s Church. It has various owners over the years and during the Second World War was used as a convalescent home for British soldiers and a base for American troops.
Sunday, September 17.
A paper heritage
Printmaking is one of the oldest forms of reproduction of text and image, and some of the presses at the Double Elephant print workshop in Exeter Phoenix are over 100 years old. Visitors can get hands on and and try various techniques using a range of papers to see how traditional processes are being used in contemporary ways. It’s a chance to explore the studios of the professional artists at the art centre and learn about the rich heritage of printmaking as a form of communication and reproduction. Meet the artists, learn about printmaking and hear about the Double Elephant’s work in the community.
Saturday, September 9.
A white glove experience
Get up close and personal to a selection of books from Exeter Library's Special Collections, dating back to 1480. Some of these very special books will be on show in a special viewing at the library - usually, you can only see them by making an appointment to see particular books. However, for Heritage Open Days, there will be a selection of very special specimens out on display, and visitors will be given the opportunity to touch and hold these very special books. These are some of Devon’s oldest and rarest books and some have unique stories behind them.
Tuesday, September 12 and Friday, September 15.
An architect’s hospital
The old Winsford Cottage Hospital at Halwill Junction was restored by the Landmark Trust in recent years and is now available to rent for holidays. This is a chance to take a look inside the building which was designed by Arts and Crafts architect CFA Voysey. The hospital has been at the heart of its community for over 100 years. Its story reveals information about health provision in the 20th century - from the treatment of wounded soldiers during the First World War, to the creation of District Nurses, the development of maternity units and the establishment of the NHS in 1948.
Saturday September 9, and Sunday September 10.
Exploring a castle
See the rare surviving ruins of Hemyock's moated medieval castle including the remains of gatehouse archway, towers, curtain-walls and the moat which surrounds the older manor house.
The castle dates from 1380, fortifying an older manor house. It was destroyed during the English Civil War period in the 1640s, after two brutal sieges. Some buildings were later adapted for farm or residential use but, as most of the ruins were not ‘restored’ by later owners, some original castle defences can still be seen. There’s also a chance to see an ancient cider press, a pottery and farmyard displays.
Sunday, September 10.
Back to school
Senior pupils are leading a tour of Mount Kelly school in Tavistock. The school was founded in 1877, under the terms of the will of Admiral Benedictus Marwood Kelly, on land donated by the Duke of Bedford. Its original mission was to educate ‘the sons of naval officers and other gentlemen’. The tour takes visitors around the beautiful grounds at both the prep school, formerly Mount House, and the college, to see around the historically significant buildings, meet some of the pupils, and gain an insight into the realities of life in a modern independent school.
Friday, September 15
An abbey walk
Tavistock town guide Simon Dell is leading a ‘walk of discovery’, exploring the existing remains of the town’s Benedictine abbey – much of which appears ‘hidden’ but is in full view if you know where to look. The tour includes a visit to the abbey porch, which is not generally open to the public and explores various stories, myths and legends associated with the abbey – including its association with the Devon cream tea. The abbey was founded in 974AD. Initially destroyed by the Vikings it was rebuilt, before ending with the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Sunday, September 10
The Heritage Open Days festival runs from September 8-17. For a full list of events in Devon and for more information on timings and to check if you need to book for those listed above go to heritageopendays.org.uk
