Heritage Open Days in Gloucestershire

Gardens, museums and attractions across Gloucestershire are opening their doors to the public for the free at the eagerly-anticipated series of Heritage Open Days 2011, this September.

If you have always wanted to take a peek inside some of the county’s most magnificent buildings now is your chance at the annual Heritage Open Days 2011, when venues across Gloucestershire will be taking part in the free festivities.

Celebrating architecture, culture and heritage across England, this year’s open days take place from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 September 2011, when buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors to a series of free events, tours and activities.

Coordinated by English Heritage, more than 850,000 visitors seized the opportunity to take part in England’s largest voluntary cultural event last year, with something sure to spark most imaginations in 2011.

While there are copious free Heritage Open Day events taking place across Gloucestershire, SoGlos.com’s hand-picked highlights include:

Heritage Open Days in Cheltenham 2011

Sandford Parks Lido will be inviting all ages to enjoy a free day at the Lido on the Saturday, from 10am to 7pm.

St Gregory's Church on St James Square in Cheltenham will be open to take a look around the Grade II listed building on both the Friday and the Saturday, from 11am to 4pm.

Between 10am and 4pm on the Saturday and Sunday, the Holst Birthplace Museum will be open free of charge, giving visitors a chance to rediscover this hidden gem a short walk from Cheltenham town centre.

There are hour-long tours of Cheltenham Ladies College, on St George’s Road, scheduled on the Saturday at 9am, 10am and 11am. Pre-booking is required on (01242) 520691 extension 2725.

Cheltenham Synagogue on St James Square will be open to members of the public on the Sunday from 10.30am and 5pm.

For the first year, there’s a chance to take a tour of Cheltenham’s tallest and most prominent landmark building, Eagle Tower, on the Saturday from 10am to 2pm – promising spectacular views over the town.

Heritage Open Days in the Cotswolds 2011

The chance to explore the Corinium Museum in Cirencester completely free of charge will be a popular pull for all ages on Saturday, between 10am and 5pm.

A collection of handcuffs and restraints will be demonstrated at Tetbury Police Museum on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 3pm.

Described as one of the UK’s greatest gardens, the National Trust’s Hidcote Manor Garden near Chipping Campden will be open on the Saturday, from 10am to 6pm.

Heritage Open Days in the Forest of Dean 2011

The YHA’s St Briavels Castle, an 800 year old moated Norman castle near Lydney, is usually closed to members of the public, but will be opening its doors ‘and trapdoors!’ for its annual open day on the Sunday, between 12pm and 5pm.

Heritage Open Days in Gloucester 2011

While Gloucester Cathedral is a must for visitors year round, there is also a chance to hear an organ scholar perform at 2pm on the Friday; take a spectacular free tour up its tower on the Saturday at 11.30am and 2.30pm; and – for the first time – visit its 14th century monastic library on the Saturday at 10am, 10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm, 2.30pm and 3.15pm. Call (01452) 528753 to book.

The popular Over Basin Open Days will once again take place from 10am to 5pm throughout the Heritage Open Days, when visitors can see the work completed by the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust volunteers over the last 10 years. Refreshments will also be served at The Wharf House.

Visit St Michael's Tower in Gloucester town centre for a fine example of a Grade II listed building dating back to 1465, and don’t miss the city’s own ‘camera obscurer’ with its enviable views over the city, from 10am to 4pm on Thursday to Saturday.

Sports fans, and Cherry and Whites supporters, can take a free tour of Gloucester Rugby Club’s impressive Kingsholm Stadium at 10.30am on the Thursday.

The House of the Tailor of Gloucester may be free and open to members of the public all year round, but during the Heritage Open Days a guide will be on hand to share some secrets about the Beatrix Potter-inspired attraction.

While admission charges normally apply, Nature in Art will be completely free of charge throughout the Heritage Open Days, when visitors can see an array of traditional and contemporary art inspired by nature, as well as the gardens and children’s play area.

The ever-popular Gloucester Folk Museum will be open free of charge to the public on all of the Heritage Open Days, with free ‘make and take’ craft activities for children on the Saturday and Sunday.

The newly-refurbished Gloucester City Museum will be free of charge for visitors to explore on all four Heritage Open Days.

The Jet Age Museum will be holding a free annual open day at Gloucestershire Airport’s Flying Shack on the Sunday, when visitors will be able to find out how Britain’s first jet aeroplane was designed, built and took off from the former Gloucester factory-airfield, from 10am to 4pm.

Heritage Open Days in Stroud 2011

The Edward Jenner Museum in Berkeley will be swinging open its doors with free admission on the Sunday from 12pm until 5.30pm. Don’t miss the chance to find out more about Gloucestershire’s most influential resident, who discovered the vaccine for smallpox.

The National Trust’s Newark Park in Wotton-under-Edge will be hosting a free open day on the Saturday, between 11am and 4.30pm, with tours of the magnificent house and garden planned, as well as children’s quizzes.

Heritage Open Days in Tewkesbury

Tewkesbury’s popular John Moore Museum will be taking part in the Heritage Open Days on both the Saturday and Sunday, waiving admission and offering free tours and literary walks. Call (01684) 297174 to book.

While Out of the Hat will be offering free entry on the Saturday, giving visitors the chance to explore the new Tales of the Riverbank exhibition. Call (01684) 855040 for more information.