Your annual dose of heritage is free this weekend!
The European
Heritage Days are a joint action of the Council of Europe and the European
Commission. Every September, millions of people visit heritage treasures across
the 50 States party to the European Cultural Convention. European
Heritage Days acknowledges that "cultural heritages are resources on which
to develop dialogue, democratic debate and openness between cultures," and
seeks to champion these values.
And what better image to use than one from our own home
town, Whitby, the ruins of St Hilda's Abbey where the date of Easter (for western Christians that is, the Russian and Greek orthodox do things differently) was set.
The Abbey is owned by English Heritage and is normally open most days but
between 5 Nov 2018 - spring 2019 the site is closed for a 'revamp' (I'm not sure
if the wording is intentional or not being the reputed burial site of Dracula!)
Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture, bringing together over 2,500 organisations, 5,000 events and
40,000 volunteers. Every year in September, places across the country throw
open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history. It’s your
chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE. There are events at many National Trust sites
and on National Nature Reserves as well as many churches and old graveyards too
and in Scotland they're celebrating Archaeology month as well.
Heritage Open Days 2018 will be 6-9 & 13-16
September
For the first time in its 24-year history, Heritage Open
Days – England’s largest festival of culture and history – will take place over
two consecutive weekends in September. This year, in recognition of the
centenary of the Universal Suffrage Act, there will be hundreds of events
taking place on the theme of ‘Extraordinary Women’ – focusing on both
well-known and less celebrated women.
Heritage Open Days is England’s contribution to European
Heritage Days, taking place across 50 countries.
In Scotland it's called Doors Open Days and is Scotland's
largest free festival that celebrates heritage and the built environment.
It offers free access to over a thousand venues across the country throughout
September, every year. The aim of Doors Open Days is to ensure that Scotland’s
built heritage, new and old, is made accessible to people living and visiting
the country on weekends in September.
Where can you go?|
Other events in the UK Open Doors Days in Wales;
European Heritage Open Days in Northern Ireland and Open House London.
If you're part of a heritage site team and are in need some
ideas then have a look at CJS Focus on Visitor Management and Engagement,
although it was published a few years ago the suggestions are still relevant.