Heritage Open Days 2018

6th – 9th and 13th – 16th September 2018

With 5,000 events, 40,000 volunteers and over 2,500 organisations taking part, Heritage Open Days is truly the largest festival in England to celebrate our history and culture.

Established in 1994, Heritage Open Days is England’s contribution to the European Heritage Days. The Council of Europe and the European Commission set up European Heritage Days to raise appreciation for the diverse cultural assets across Europe. The aim behind the days was to ‘throw open the doors to the historic monuments and buildings, in particular those normally closed to the public’.

Starting out with 701 events when it launched, the Heritage Open Days in England now have 5000 events happening up and down the country. This year, to mark 100 years since the first British women were eligible to vote, Heritage Open Days will celebrate ‘Extraordinary Women’. The aim is to uncover women who have touched lives, who make a difference, and left legacies that should be cherished. Twenty-five women will be 3D scanned and 3D printed into statues that will be unveiled across England during the Heritage Open Days.

This year in Kent there will be over 200 events taking place over the course of the two weekends, below we have picked out some of the events that caught our eye: 

1) Dickens House Museum, Broadstairs

Based in the beautiful seaside town of Broadstairs, the Dickens House Museum celebrates the long connection that Charles Dickens had with the town.

In the museum you will find fascinating collections of items that are associated with Charles Dickens, including writing tools, prints, letters and publications.

2) Behind-the-Scenes of the Ship Model Stores at No.1 Smithery, The Historic Dockyard Chatham 

A chance for you to get behind the scenes of the National Maritime and Imperial War Museums shop model collections.

With over 3000 items you would be visiting one of the finest collections in the world. You will be given the opportunity to hear more about them and how their storage plays an important part in their preservation.

3) Dover Museum Family Day

In 1992, whilst excavating an underpass in the town centre a Bronze Age Boat was discovered in the historic town of Dover. This will be your opportunity to visit the purpose built gallery in the Dover Museum and to learn more about the treasure that was successfully removed from underneath the town centre.

4) Lightship LV21 – Open Day, Gravesend

What better way to spend a day then to explore the historic lightship LV21 on the side of the Thames, in Gravesend! This will be your opportunity to explore the decks and get up close to the lantern, and take part in some nautically themed, family-friendly art activities.

5) Powell-Cotton Museum

Established in 1896, The Powell-Cotton Museum at Quex Park, Birchington is home to the family’s collection of natural history, ethnography and decorative arts. The museum is home to unique natural history dioramas, pioneered by Percy Powell-Cotton. So whether you fancy a family day out looking at natural history or just a quiet stroll through the beautiful surroundings for Quex Park, this has something for all the family.

For further information on Heritage Open Days, and to find out more local events near you, visit the Heritage Open Days Website.

Why wait until the Heritage Open Days? Kent is filled with activities that you can do all year round! Take a look at our blog of Things to do in Kent for FREE!  

Information Source: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/