From Anglo-Saxon relics to Cold War bunkers, discover Norfolk’s hidden history when the popular free festival returns this month
The Lost Industries, Shops and Trades of Old Norwich
The City Bookshop, 10 Davey Place, Norwich, NR2 1PQ
A free exhibition of catalogues, bill-heads and ephemera illustrating some of the shops, factories and manufacturers now lost to the city from the 19th century through to the close of the 20th century including Barnards, Bonds, Boulton and Paul, Chamberlins, Curls, Mann Egerton, Norvic, Trevor Page and Norwich Union.
Friday September 6-Sunday September 15: 10am-5pm (apart from Sunday 8 and Sunday 15, 11am-3.30pm)
Pre-booking not required
Norwich Cathedral: Julian's Many Connections
The Dean and Chapter of Norwich Cathedral, Chapter Office, 65 The Close, Norwich, NR1 4DH
In the late 14th century, Julian of Norwich turned her back on the everyday world to live a life of contemplation as an anchoress and recluse. But her book, Revelations of Divine Love, has spread far and side, earning her the title of ‘mother of English prose.’ This tour will explore the connections which took her name and her writing out of the enclosed cell where she lived and into the wider world.
Friday September 6 and Saturday September 7: 10.30am
Pre-booking required
Lydia Eva YH89 Steam Drifter
20-21 South Quay, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2RG
Moored on Great Yarmouth’s Heritage South Quay, the town's last steam drifter, Lydia Eva, built in 1930, is still capable of going to sea and is a floating museum of the town's herring fishing industry. Last year she featured in the film Wonka. On Sunday September 8 the Rogue Shanty Buoys will perform onboard from 11am-2pm.
Friday September 6-Sunday September 15, 10am-3.30pm
Pre-booking not required
Norwich Arts Centre
51 St Benedicts Street, Norwich, NR2 4PG
See inside the award-winning multi-arts venue housed within a Grade 1 listed deconsecrated church. There will also be a free talk about the venue and building by director Pasco-Q Kevlin.
Friday September 6: 1pm-4pm (talk at 3pm)
Pre-booking not required
Former Atomic Weapons Bunker Tours
61G Gorse Industrial Estate, Barnham, Thetford, IP24 2PH
Richard Eldred will be giving two-hour tours of this scheduled monument to the Cold War, where the atom bombs Blue Danube and Red Beard were maintained in the late 50s and early 60s, with an optional climb iup a 25-foot watchtower.
Friday September 6: 3pm
Saturday September 7 and Sunday September 8: 11am and 2pm
Pre-booking required
Norwich Guildhall Tour
The Guildhall, Gaol Hill, Norwich, NR2 1JS
Centred in the city for more than 600 years, Norwich Guildhall is the largest surviving medieval civic building in the country outside London. Visit the 14th-century undercroft, the police cells and the Victorian courtroom.
Saturday September 7, Monday September 9 and Thursday September 12: 11am
Pre-booking required
The Railway Remembered
The Swan Hotel, 19 The Thoroughfare, Harleston, IP20 9AS
A 00 gauge model railway illustrating Harleston Station as it might have been in the early 20th century, together with a photographic exhibition and contemporary footage from the last days of the train service in the 1950s.
Saturday September 7, Sunday 9, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15: 10am-4pm
Pre-booking not required
Museum of the Broads
Poors Staithe, The Staithe, Stalham, Norwich, NR12 9DA
Visit the Museum of the Broads and discover the stories of the unique watery landscape, its history and heritage, from Roman times, meeting peat diggers and marsh workers and early tourists through to the holiday makers, sailors and environmentalists of today. Items on display include some of the area’s most iconic boats and an exhibition about the life of artist Philippa Miller. T
Sunday September 8: 10am-4pm
Sunday September 15: 10am-4pm
Pre-booking recommended
Earthwork Archaeology of West Runton
West Runton National Trust, Roman Camp, Upper Sheringham, NR26 8TB
Discover the earthwork archaeology of West Runton on this afternoon walking tour, taking in its history from the Anglo-Saxon period up to the Second World War.
Sunday September 8 and Tuesday September 10: 1pm
Pre-booking required
Whitlingham Heritage - Hands on with History
Flint Barn Cafe, Whitlingham Country Park, Whitlingham Lane, Trowse, Norwich, NR14 8TR
Join volunteers at the Flint Barn Café after hours, to hear tales from the rich history of this 280 acre site. Explore photos and maps of the park's development during the last 30 years and handle some of the items discovered during the creation of the two Broads.
Sunday September 8: 6-7.30pm
Pre-booking required
Felbrigg Hall and Gardens
Felbrigg Hall, Felbrigg, Norwich, NR11 8PR
Explore inside the hall and imagine what it might have been like to have lived or worked there and visit the walled garden to see fruits and vegetables growing.
Monday September 9: Gardens: 10am-4.30pm (last entry 4pm); hall: 12pm-4pm (last entry 3pm)
Pre-booking not required
Bishop's House Garden
Bishop's House, Norwich, NR3 1SB
This historic private four-acre formal city centre garden has belonged to the Bishops of Norwich for more than 900 years. See long herbaceous borders, roses, the hosta walk, the meadow labyrinth, a jungle walk, bamboos and extensive shrubberies.
Wednesday September 11 and Thursday September 12: 10am-4pm
Pre-booking not required
John Lewis - History of the shop talk and behind the scenes Georgian cottage tour
All Saints Green, Norwich, NR1 3LX
Discover the history of the shop, from its small beginnings as Bonds drapers shop in 1879 to John Lewis today, including how the store continued trading throughout the war and how the John Lewis takeover 40 years ago modernised the shop. The talk will be followed by a short tour of the Georgian Cottages which are adjoined to the shop, with original architectural features.
Saturday September 14: Tours at 10.30am and 3pm
Sunday September 15: Tours at 11am and 2pm
Pre-booking required
To see the full programme and to book go to norfolkheritageopendays.co.uk
