Heritage
Open Days Every September free events take place across the country to celebrate our history and culture, giving us the chance to see hidden places and try new experiences. This year’s theme is Edible England. Exhibition: Kingsbury Barn Pottery 10th - 12th Sept 10am - 4pm ** With work for sale from artists showing a wide range of ceramics and sculptural forms. Artists will be on hand to talk about their work. Branch Road, St Albans AL3 4SE Ayot St Peter Church 11th Sept 10am - 5pm ** This listed Victorian church in the "arts and crafts" style is in exceptional condition. The church was completed in 1875 and still has the original organ which is played every Sunday. It will be decorated with flowers and produce for Harvest Festival. Walk along the lane to see the disused churchyard, with many interesting old graves. Welwyn AL6 9BG St Albans Signal Box & Railway Museum 11th & 12th Sept 10am - 5pm ** Built in 1892 and restored in 2009 by local residents, it has a large garden and signals to operate. There will be demonstrations of how trains were controlled and a chance to pull levers and ring bells. The museum is full of artefacts and has a film showing it in operation in the 70s. In the garden a railway with Thomas the Tank Engine will be running. St Albans AL1 3AG Verulamium Museum 11th & 18th Sept 11am - 3.30pm ** Explore Roman life, admire the intricate mosaics, and see recent discoveries such as the Sandridge Hoard, a collection of 159 Roman gold coins. There will be a discovery area, activity sheets and dressing up clothes for children. You can also visit the Roman Hypocaust, the Roman Theatre and the Roman city walls. St Michaels Street AL3 4SW Rothamsted Manor House 11th - 19th Sept 10am - 4pm ** With self-guided tours of the Grade 1 Jacobean Manor House and gardens, cream teas, 16th century murals, lawn games, cookery demos, local stallholders, a scavenger hunt, a photography competition and more. Harpenden AL5 2BG St Peter’s Church 12th Sept 2pm - 5pm * See the view from the tower, the highest point in St Albans which on a clear day offers distant views 4
of the Wembley Arch and Canary Wharf. The large churchyard has an orchard, wildflower meadow, storyteller's circle and Garden of Hope with Tree of Life memorial sculpture. Please book Tower Tours on the day. St Peter’s Church, St Albans AL1 3HG Shuttleworth 15th Sept 10am - 5pm * Walk round the Swiss Garden and woodland sculpture trail, enjoy views from North Park’s gentle hills, stroll around the paddocks by the grass airfield. Venture inside Shuttleworth House with its grand period rooms, visit the Shuttleworth Collection, showcasing the best of early aviation, vintage vehicles, and Clayton and Shuttleworth industrial heritage. Beds SG18 9DX Luton Hoo Walled Garden 15th Sept 10.30am - 2pm ** The Woodyard café will be open in the Shooting Lodge, and plants and produce will be available to buy. Beds LU1 4LF Piccotts End Medieval Cottage & Wall Paintings 18th & 19th Sept tours from 10am * A 16th century Grade I listed Tudor Hall House, with rare and important paintings from just before Henry VIII's break with Rome. Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AU St Albans Clock Tower 18th & 19th Sept 10.30am - 5pm ** Climb the 93 steps to the top of the only medieval town belfry in England and enjoy magnificent views of the city and surrounding countryside. Listen to the hypnotic, ticking rhythm of the Victorian turret clock. Marvel at the great Medieval bell, Gabriel, which is still rung every hour on the hour. Children can win a bag of chocolate coins by playing “Hunt the Keys”. Market Place, St Albans AL3 5DR Walk:The Trees of St Albans 19th Sept 11am * A guided walk around the central St Albans trees, hear interesting stories associated with them with Kate Bretherton, creator of The Remarkable World of Trees exhibition. St Albans Museum & Gallery AL1 3DH Working Watercress Beds 19th Sept 11am - 2pm * An opportunity to see a working watercress bed, a familiar sight years ago. The whole process is explained, and you can make your own way round or join a guided tour. Hemel Hempstead HP1 2BS *Please book ** No booking required www.heritageopendays.org.uk