Local residents and visitors are being given the chance to explore parts of Bath and North East Somerset that they would normally never get to see.
As part of the national Heritage Open Days initiative, Bath & North East Somerset Council is promoting open days at a series of venues between 10th-13th September.
Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones (Conservative, Lansdown), the Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “This is a huge opportunity for local people and visitors to discover – free of charge – the hidden treasures we have in our area and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities that bring local history and culture to life.”
The following venues are taking part in Heritage Open Days: Southcot Burial Ground; Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution; Central United Reformed Church; Cleveland Pools; Fairfield House; The Chapel of St Michael at St John’s Hospital; Union Chapel; Jewish Burial Ground; Prior Park Landscape Garden; Midsomer Norton Station; Saltford Brass Mill, Pixash Lane Archaeology Store; St Swithin’s Church; Kier Recycling Depot, Keynsham; No.4 The Circus, The Magdalen Chapel; Nexus Methodist Church; Pixash Lane Archaeology Store; St John’s Local History Store.
These are just some of the events taking place:
Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September, 2pm – 5pm:
- Cleveland Pools, Bath BA2 6QS.
- Bath’s unique Georgian open air public lido, the oldest in the country. Remember how it was and imagine how it could be when restored.
Saturday September 12th:
- The Kier Recycling Depot at Keynsham is also offering people a chance to go behind the scenes and see what happens to all the recycling collected by the Council.
- There are four free tours, which will run 10-11am, 11am-12pm, 12pm-1pm and 1pm-2pm.
- Places on the guided-only tours are limited and must be booked in advance by calling Council Connect on 01225 394041. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September, 10.30am – 4.30pm:
- Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust at Midsomer Norton Station,
- Transport Heritage Weekend with examples of old transport. Trains will be running over weekend at extra charge.
Sunday 13th September, 11am – 3.30pm:
- Southcot Burial Ground Open Day, Widcombe.
- Bath Preservation Trust owns and manages this hidden oasis in the centre of Bath, a haven for wildlife and history. Dr Tony Walter, Director of the Centre for Dead and Society, at the University of Bath will give talks at 11.30am and 2.30pm.
Sunday 13th September:
- Cycle Ride with Sustrans Volunteer Rangers.
- Meet at 10am at Orange Grove.
- Join local rangers for a 25 mile ride along Sustrans routes, visiting local heritage sites. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Full details of all the other events can be found here www.bathnes.gov.uk/heritageevents or you can call 01225 477 773.
