England’s largest festival of history and culture, Heritage Open Days is back this 9 -18 September.
Presented by the National Trust, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, Heritage Open Days (HODs) gives everyone free access to experiences and events across England.
Each year places across the country, including select National Trusts sites near you, throw open their doors and give people the chance to see hidden places and try new experiences for free.
This year, many events will adopt this year’s theme ‘Astounding Inventions’, offering a celebration of cutting-edge creations that make our lives easier, and the imaginative inventors behind them.
Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days Marketing & Projects Manager says:
“The festival is just around the corner, and it is fantastic to see that our community is putting on a staggering 4,000+ events – including more than 150 events at National Trust sites. Whether it’s a doorstep discovery, a local curiosity, a world-famous attraction or a one-of-a-kind experience – there really is something for everyone this year.”
Here are some of the National Trust HOD events happening near you in Lincolnshire and nearby Nottinghamshire.
Nottinghamshire
Clumber Park
Celebrate Heritage Open Days with us on Friday 9th September and explore astounding inventions at Clumber Park.
A tour of the Victorian Glasshouse in the walled kitchen garden
At 450ft (130m) the long-range Glasshouse in Clumber Park’s Walled Kitchen Garden is the longest Glasshouse cared for by the National Trust. The iconic Glasshouse runs the entire width of the four-acre garden and is an elegant building with fine detailing such as beautiful cast iron heating grilles and decorative finials and woodwork. It was built in part by James Gray, horticultural builders of Chelsea, whose other commissions included Sandringham and Cliveden.
A walk and talk on the history of the mansion and the famous ornamental bridge
Owned by the Dukes of Newcastle, Clumber House once stood at the heart of Clumber Park and underwent several dramatic changes, either to accommodate fashions of its time or as a result of the fires that struck the property in 1879 and 1912. It was eventually demolished in 1938. For over 200 years, the Ornamental Bridge has been standing proudly at Clumber Park, come and discover why so many people have made their own precious memories there, from sharing time with family to proposals and engagements.
Event Times: Friday 9 September
No booking required
For more details please visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumber-park
Please see full details here: Events | Heritage Open Days
The Workhouse and Infirmary
Come and discover what life was like for people who sought refuge at The Workhouse & Infirmary. Learn the stories of those who lived and worked here and how this evolved over time, with the site providing shelter for those in need up until the 1980s.
Behind every door is a story and the Workhouse and Infirmary bears witness to over 160 years of changing social policy and attitudes towards the poor and vulnerable in society. Built in 1824 for up to 158 inmates, the Workhouse is one of the best-preserved examples of the hundreds of workhouses built across the country. There is so much here to discover and learn. Come and meet a costumed character and hear their stories, chat to a room guide, take an outside tour (limited spaces), explore the site with one of our digital guides, complete a children’s trail, wander in the kitchen garden and participate in a mindful walk (smart phone required), walk in the historic infirmary wards or relax in our second-hand bookshop or café.
Current exhibitions: The Nottingham Asylum Project by Backlit, a creative community research project exploring the history of The Sneinton Asylum and mental health; Care and Conservation, a photographic exhibition celebrating 20 years of The Workhouse being open to the public, featuring previously unseen pictures of the meticulous conservation work involved; The Women’s Quilt and The Leighann Wightman Quilt which focus on domestic abuse; and the Florence Nightingale Comes Home exhibition.
Event Times:
- Saturday 17 September: 1030-1600, last admission 1500
- Sunday 18 September: 1030-1600, last admission 1500
No booking required
Derbyshire
Hardwick Hall & Stainsby Mill
Explore the magnificent Hardwick Estate, from the Elizabethan mansion set in 2000 acres of parkland to the Victorian water mill at Stainsby. With expert guided talks throughout the day, discover something new about Hardwick.
On Saturday 10 September, enjoy free entry to Hardwick Hall, gardens, parkland and Stainsby Mill.
With pop-up expert talks throughout the day, discover the story of Bess of Hardwick and the innovative architecture and design of her Elizabethan masterpiece. Learn how modern-day inventions help to protect Hardwick’s collection, from light monitoring to pest management.
Explore the formal gardens and find out how the Elizabethans creatively used plants in their everyday lives. Visit Stainsby Mill and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this Victorian water mill. Then take the time for a leisurely walk in Hardwick’s stunning parkland, exploring the woodland and ponds.
Event Times: Saturday 10 September: 0930-1700
All talks must be pre-booked on arrival
