Heritage sites will be opening their doors and inviting residents and visitors to explore their unique attractions in early September.
A wide range of events and activities will take place in the museums, galleries and heritage sites of Bath and North East Somerset, and at least 19 sites will be opening their doors to the public from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th September to celebrate Heritage Open Days 2012.
Visitors can go behind the scenes at the Roman Baths, with the return of the popular tunnel tours or see inside a complete Georgian house with restored garden and how it is being used now at No. 4 Royal Crescent, Bath. Discover what happens to your recycled waste during a guided tour at the May Gurney Recycling Depot in Keynsham and explore the equipment used in historical spas with the St John’s local history store, on the corner of Locksbrook Road and Upper Bristol Road, Bath.
There is a wide variety of sites across the area providing local residents with access to places which are not usually open to visitors and giving them the chance to learn more about their local heritage.
Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib-Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is proud to support Heritage Open Days and celebrate our unique places and beautiful surroundings which help to create neighbourhoods where people are proud to live.
“I thoroughly recommend these open days as I’ve personally found them to be a really good way of getting to know about this area’s rich heritage in more detail and usually come away having discovered something new.”
For events at the Roman Baths please call 01225 477773 – this includes booking for ‘Exploring the Periphery’ which will be held on Saturday 8 September from 10am to 11am and 11.30am to 12.30am and ‘Tunnel Tours’ which will be held on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 September at 10am and 3pm. Please note that all children under 16 must be accompanied at these events.
Residents can also go behind the scenes at the May Gurney Recycling Depot, in Keynsham, to see how Bath & North East Somerset Council’s recycling trucks work and discover how the items they put in their green boxes, blue bags and food waste containers are sorted for recycling.
Guided tours of the recycling depot will run from 10am-2pm on Saturday 8 September 2012. Spaces are limited to 20 per tour and must be booked in advance by calling the Council on 01225 394041 or emailing [email protected]. Sturdy enclosed shoes must be worn and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
For more details of Heritage Open Days 2012, including listings and the online leaflet please visit Bath & North East Somerset Council’s website www.bathnes.gov.uk/heritageevents or pick up a leaflet in your local library.
