From a historic sailing barge to a behind-the-scenes tour of a magistrates’ court, there are many fascinating sites to discover during the annual free festival
LOWESTOFT MARITIME MUSEUM
There will be a photographic exhibition to view celebrating the area’s rich maritime heritage. Attractions include a small cinema showing archived films, a wheelhouse, a recreation of Sir Christopher Cockerell’s workshop where he invented the hovercraft, an art collection and trails. Refreshments available in Sparrow’s Nest Gardens.
Whapload Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1XG Friday, September 6 to Sunday, September 15, 10am-5pm Pre-booking not required
IPSWICH TOWN HALL
Mayor’s Parlour and Corn Exchange
Take a 50-minute guided tour conducted by the Town Sergeant of Ipswich. Ipswich has had a civic building on this site since the first Royal Charter in 1200. The current building dates from 1868 and is in a ‘mock Venetian style’. The tours start in the town hall foyer and also include the Corn Exchange, with its two cinemas and Grand Hall.
Town Hall, Ipswich, IP1 1DH Saturday, September 7, tours at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm Sunday, September 8, tours at 10.30am and 12pm Pre-booking not required
SAILING BARGE VICTOR
Come on board the iconic Sailing Barge Victor, meet members of Ipswich Maritime Trust and discover more about the town’s heritage. Sailing Barge Victor was built in Ipswich in 1895, carried munitions during the war from Chatham Dock, and has been a charter boat, strip club and floating office. Victor was restored in 2005-6. There will be a display of old photos in ABP (Custom House) and a sea shanty performance on the quay.
Old Custom House, Common Quay, Ipswich, IP4 1BY Saturday, September 7, 10am-4pm Pre-booking not required
SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY
Visitors can take a guided tour and find out more about the incinerator and the whole energy-from-waste process. Set up in 2014, the facility now generates enough electricity to power 50,000 houses. You will also be able to visit the control room and purpose-built visitors’ centre.
Lodge Lane, Great Blakenham, IP6 0JE Saturday, September 7, 10am-1pm Pre-booking required
NORMAN TOWER, ST EDMUNDSBURY CATHEDRAL
Timed 45-minute visits to the tower will include a demonstration of bellringing, plus information about the tower’s history and its peal of 12 bells. The tower was previously the main gateway to the abbey, and is one of the oldest Norman buildings in the UK.
Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1LS Saturday, September 7, tours start at 9.45am, 10.45am, 11.45am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30 pm Pre-booking required
MEET THE TUDORS AT CHRISTCHURCH MANSION
You are invited to meetthe Withypolls at their stately home and find out how the Tudors lived. Costumed guides from The Friends of the Ipswich Museums will help visitors to explore life in the days of Queen Elizabeth I. There’s a rumour that the Queen herself may be visiting too.
Soane Street, Ipswich, IP4 2BE Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8, 11am-4pm Pre-booking not required
MARTELLO TOWER
The owners of Martello U are opening their garden to visitors, who will be able to view the tower only from the outside. They will give a talk about the history of Martello towers and the experience of living in one of these iconic buildings.
Felixstowe Ferry, Felixstowe, IP11 9RZ Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8, talks at 10am and 2pm Pre-booking required
IPSWICH REGENT THEATRE
Free guided tours will lead you behind the curtain of East Anglia’s largest theatre to see parts of the building not normally open to the public. Since its opening in 1929, the theatre has hosted acts including The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Tina Turner. There’ll be a chance to ask questions during the tour.
3 St Helens Street, Ipswich, IP4 1HE Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8, tours at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm Pre-booking required
RADIO CAROLINE - FELIXSTOWE AND OFFSHORE RADIO
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the first broadcast from the MV Caroline, anchored off Felixstowe. As part of the anniversary celebrations, Felixstowe and Offshore Radio will have a display of mainly local archive photos and memorabilia focused on Radio Caroline and its local links. Hut on the Prom,
Felixstowe, IP11 7SF Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8, 10am-4pm Pre-booking not required
BURY ST EDMUNDS GUILDHALL
The Guildhall ROC Operations Room is the last of its kind leftin the country. Visitors can explore the untold story of the wartime home of the 14 Group Royal Observer Corps (ROC), whose efforts helped win theBattle ofBritain. On the Sunday, there will also be 17th-century re-enactors. You can wander in the walled garden and learn more about creative uses of herbs through the ages in the sensory garden.
Guildhall Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1PR Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8, 10am-4pm Pre-booking not required.
FELIXSTOWE TOWN HALL
This late 19th century civic building is linked with Felixstowe history, including the Schneider Trophy, RAF Felixstowe and the trial of two suffragettes who burnt down the Bath Hotel. You can take a guided tour and visit an exhibition of rarely seen archive material.
Undercliff Road West, Felixstowe, IP11 2AG Sunday, September 8, tours at 10.15am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm Pre-booking required
EYE TOWN HALL
Eye Heritage Pop-up Museum A pop-up museum in the main hall will feature information about Eye in the Second World War. The USAAF 490th Bombardment Group will be represented with a display of items and uniforms from when they were based at Eye Airfield more than 80 years ago.
1 Broad Street, Eye, IP23 7AF Sunday, September 8, 12-4pm Pre-booking not required
IPSWICH MAGISTRATES COURT
Meet the magistrates and representatives of other agencies involved in the criminal justice system, and have a behind-the-scenes tour of the court cells. There will be mock sentencing exercises based on Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Was Goldilocks guilty? Police dogs will also hopefully be present.
Elm Street, Ipswich, IP1 2AP Saturday, September 14, 11am-3.30pm Pre-booking not required
LITTLE HALL, LAVENHAM
Little Hall’s history mirrors the changing fortunes of Lavenham. Built in the 1390s for a family of clothiers it was ‘modernised’ in Tudor times. The Gayer-Anderson twins, soldiers with a shared interest in art and collecting, restored the house and made it their home. The grounds combine a knotgarden planted along Tudor lines with a traditional English walled garden.
Market Place, Lavenham, Sudbury, CO10 9QZ Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15, 1-4pm Pre-booking not required
To see the full programme, visit heritageopendays.org.uk
ABBEY HALL CREATIVE SPACE
This historic hall is set in 10 acres of water meadows on the site of the Benedictine Priory of St Peter, which was razed in 1530. The hall, built from the rubble of the priory, has been roughly treated over its years in use as a cattle barn. It was listed as being at risk in 1974, but has now been revived into a beautiful space for everyone to enjoy.
Hoxne Road, Eye, IP23 7NJ Sunday, September 15, 12pm-4pm Pre-booking not required
