2024 Heritage Open Days Festival to return to Lincolnshire

The county’s largest festival of history and culture returns with a theme of Routes, Networks and Connections.

The 2024 Heritage Open Days Festival returns from September 6 until September 15, including National Trust places across Lincolnshire.

The festival is presented by the National Trust, supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of organisations and volunteers.

It brings people together to celebrate heritage, community and history, whilst providing the opportunity to enjoy free access to experiences and events across England.

The theme of the festival this year is — Routes, Networks and Connections — and places cared for by the National Trust are sharing the stories of travel, and transport and celebrating the ways that people connect.

There are many taking place in the county, at which visitors can delve into history.

At Bourne Old Town Hall in North Street, Bourne, visitors will be taken on a journey from the past, into the present and to the future between 10am and 3pm on Saturday (September 7) as they take a look at the heritage of the former town hall, which was once a fire station, and what it is being turned into.

The Community Festival at Belton Estate, Belton will be open to the community on Saturday (September 14) and Sunday (September 15).

It will host activities, talks and demonstrations as well as have food stalls and craft stands.

Some to look out for include a visit to The King’s School in Grantham to see where Sir Isaac Newton, one of Britain’s greatest mathematicians, was educated.

Also in Grantham, visitors can also visit Freemason Hall, a guided walk through Grantham cemetery and a visit to ChristChurch.

Grantham RiverCare are hosting four free Tales from the Riverbank: Heritage Walks and Talks on Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8.

The talks will explore the history, tales and stories of the River Witham. For those wishing to go, they will need to meet outside Grantham Museum in St Peter’s Hill for 10.30am or 2pm.

On September 14, the Wyndham Park Forum will have a history display up and a guided tour of the park, which celebrates 100 years this year.

The tours will take place at 10.30am, noon and 1.30pm.

In Stamford, visitors can visit Browne’s Hospital, a late medieval Almshouses built by wool merchant William Browne in 1475.

Others in Stamford include the Stamford Endowed Schools Chapel, a walk and talk down Ryhall Road or Stamford Cemetery.

In Spalding, there is a chance for people to reminisce on their academic past inside Ayscoughfee, if they were a student at Spalding High School when it was at Wellhand Hall.

Also on offer in Spalding is a Journey down to the Church Crypt and routes, networks and connections through the archive.

The Tattershall Castle in Tattershall will open over the weekend, September 14 and 15, with free admission to the castle.

People will get to explore inside the castle and its grounds as well as play games with the Inner Ward Lawn.

It will be open between 10.30am and 4.30pm, the last entry being at 3.30pm.

The Gunby Hall in Splisby will host an event over the weekend September 7 and September 8 with a selection of craft and trade stalls.

Gunby Hall and the Estate will be open to the public from 10am until 4pm and limited house tickets will be available on both days from 11am.

Do you know of any heritage open days in your area? Let us know by emailing news@lincsonline.co.uk.