LEICESTER’S historic buildings will reveal their fascinating stories in a series of open days this month – and they’re all free.
The annual Heritage Open Days festival – which this year runs from Friday 11 to Sunday 20 September – is a once-a-year chance to find out more about the city’s rich architectural heritage.
As well as opening buildings or parts of buildings not normally accessible to the public, organisers are offering guided tours, walks and exhibitions, with more than 60 events taking place over ten days.
Events on offer include a chance to explore inside Leicester’s medieval Magazine Gateway, open days at some of Leicester’s finest historic churches and the return of the popular tours of Abbey Pumping Station’s transport shed and beam engine.
There will be free expertly guided walking tours of Georgian Leicester, the historic Greyfriars Legal Quarter and, new for this year, the High Street and Leicester Lanes and the Wharf Street area.
The team at Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage will be inviting people to drop into their ‘Living Archive’ on Bowling Green Street.
Among the historic buildings opening their doors for the annual heritage festival are Winstanley House in Braunstone Park, the Grade I listed City Rooms, Braunstone Stables, Clarence House and Glenfield Hospital Creative Health and Heritage Centre.
Leicester’s Guildhall will be hosting an exhibition from Leicester Photographic Archive; running themed guided tours to help visitors discover the secret history of the medieval building; and, offering a rare chance to explore the rare book collection inside the Jury Room, with support from Leicestershire Archaeological & Historical Society.
The Y Theatre will be celebrating its landmark birthday with special performances of 125 years in 125 Minutes, and local arts organisation Pedestrian will be sharing a free live performance inspired by their ‘Tell Tall Tales’ interpretations of local folklore.
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery will be sharing 100 rarely seen objects from the museum service stored collection. Pictures, stories and objects have been selected by museum volunteers and illustrate the depth and breadth of the city’s museum’s collection.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Every year the popular Heritage Open Days season of events offers us the opportunity to discover more about Leicester’s intriguing and historic buildings. Many businesses, venues and places of worship will open their doors allowing more people to explore our city’s rich architectural heritage – and it’s all free.”
Cllr Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for culture, added: “Our Heritage Open Days season is a chance to celebrate Leicester’s rich and diverse built heritage with a brilliant programme of free events, tours, exhibitions, and talks.
“From hidden gems to historic landmarks, everyone is welcome to explore Leicester’s past and discover the stories that helped shape our city’s identity.”
For full details of all events taking place as part of the Heritage Open Days festival, download the brochure from the Visit Leicester website.
All events are free to attend, although booking is required for some activities.