2020 | Image courtesy of local photographer Dale Hodgetts
Some very special places and tours confirmed for Heritage Open Days this September!
The Sula Lightship in one of those excited to open its doors for the country’s largest annual festival of history and culture
11-14th September 2020
This September Gloucester’s History Festival is slightly different with much of the content online and being delivered digitally. However, to keep people connected to their heritage the Gloucester Civic Trust have worked with places and businesses to open up doors, put on guided walks and deliver talks. All are free but there are limited spaces and booking is required to ensure a COVID safe experience.
Many of our beautiful buildings, such as The Folk of Gloucester (former Folk Museum) and The Fleece (the Monks’ Retreat) will be opening their doors to allow viewings and to learn more about their history. The Civic Trust tour guides have put on a great selection of guided walks around the city including ones about the Siege of Gloucester, Gloucester Docks and Gloucester Spa. There’s even an exhibition in St Nicholas’ Church all about the blue plaques, with a self-guided walk available.
An addition to this year’s Heritage Open Days for Gloucester are talks in the Ed Shed – you can learn more about the River Twyver, Charles Wheatstone and enjoy a Victorian Walk around the Docks.
It is wonderful to have many place opening up for Heritage Open Days this year with an extra special opening of the SULA Lightship.
Colin and Vivienne Brookes, owners of SULA: ‘’We are absolutely delighted to be opening SULA’s gang plank in support of Gloucester Heritage Open Days! Guests will be guided around the exterior decks for a closer view of her defining features, including the light tower, which houses a rare original Frensel Lens. During her service in the North Sea from 1958 to 1985, SULA’s light could be seen for a staggering 17 miles. Now, after protecting mariners for almost 30 years she is a retires and much loved iconic landmark of Gloucester Docks. We’ve had our sights set on HOD since we began renovating SULA in February and hope it will be the first of many collaborations to come’’
Helena Taylor, Gloucester Civic Trust Tour Guide and Heritage Open Day coordinator:
‘’While this year’s programme is restricted in its scope, we are pleased to offer a range of guided walks that showcase the history of our City from Roman times. Numbers in each walk are restricted to 5 and all walks must be pre-booked. Full details of the walks can be found on our website at https://www.gloucestercivictrust.org/heritage-open-days/’’
Alex Bailey, The Folk of Gloucester:
‘’It’s great to be open for HOD despite the dreaded virus! Visitors will find that the ‘’lost garden of the Folk’’ has been transformed and the café boasts a comfy leather sofa as well as new chairs. The inside of the building has been smartened up with modern cabinets removed to expose the original walls. In the courtyard you may well discover some Royalists and Roundheads. We are back and look forward to welcoming you, please pay us a visit’’
To find out more information about this year’s Heritage Open Days please visit https://www.gloucestercivictrust.org/heritage-open-days/ or https://www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk/heritage-open-days/
Follow Gloucester Heritage Open Days on social:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GloucesterHODs
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Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture; in 2019, over 5,700 events welcomed more than 2.4 million visitors across the country. Heritage Open Days is coordinated and promoted nationally by the National Trust with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Every single Heritage Open Days event is free, including access to many sites that usually charge for admission. For details and opening times, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk
Annie Reilly, Head of Producing at Heritage Open Days, says:
“Heritage Open Days is about connecting people so we can uncover and share the amazing stories of the places, spaces, heritage and history around us.”
