Heritage Open Days is back in 2020 with lots of events including online offerings. We have gathered some highlights in the Cotswolds to get you excited
Cheltenham
• Cambray Baptist Church
Sat 12 Sep, 10am-2.30pm
Originally built in the 1850s, this striking Baptist church is Grade II listed and retains some of its original mid-19th century features to this day.
• Cheltenham Minster, St Mary’s
Bell ring: Thu 17 Sep, 6.30pm-8pm. Talk: Sun 20 Sep, 2.30pm
There will be two events at Cheltenham Minster, St Mary’s church on Well Walk, the beautiful medieval church with pretty stain glass windows.
• Christ Church
Fri 11, 3.15pm & Sun 13 Sep, 3pm
Talk: War Widows and The Whishes. There will be two guided tours of the church with a talk by historian Neela Mann, who will be revealing the secrets of the memorial tablets.
There will also be lots of guided walks and talks to enjoy across the town including Gustav Holst’s Cheltenham, The Making of the Honeybourne Line and Cheltenham Backwaters - Exploring the River Chelt - which has been specially marked as SP, ‘Secret Places’.
Gloucestershire
• St James’s Church, Charfield
11-20 Sep, 10am-4pm
The pretty medieval St James’s Church is nestled in the pretty countryside and will be open in September for visitors to explore its wool-working history. Download the pdf guide from the website to take with you on your visit.
• Chase Farm, Tidenham
12 & 13, 19 & 20 Sep, 11am-5pm
The owners of this small farm in Gloucestershire will be showing how using modern equipment can produce traditional results from their working dairy. Filtered milk, ice cream and eggs will be available to buy with an honesty box policy.
• Gunns Mill, Littledean
19 & 20 Sep, 11am-3pm
This fascinating Grade II* listed building in the Forest of Dean is a blast furnace that dates back at least to the late 17th century, and possibly further. It has been restored from ‘extreme dereliction’ and now visitors during Heritage Open Days can see this historical furnace up close.
• Woodchester Mansion, Stonehouse
Fri 11 Sep, 11am-3.30pm
The fact that Woodchester Mansion was never finished lends to its charm. It was initially built between 1857 and 1867 out of local limestone - but go inside and you can see the remnants of its construction - and find out why in this unique tour. Four visitors are brought in every 15 minutes for the tour.
Oxfordshire
• Little Basement Museum, Abingdon
Sun 20 Sep, 10am-2pm
Having been closed to the public for a long time, the Little Basement Museum in Abingdon has lots of secrets to tell. Take a peek inside this beautiful building and explore the hidden places below the street.
• St Peter’s Church, Wallingford
11-20 Sep, 10am-4pm
The iconic church whose spire juts out on the bank of the River Thames in Wallingford will be open to explore its pretty Georgian interior and historical features.
For full details of all events, including social distancing regulations, visit the Heritage Open Days website.
Check the website for lots of online events where you can explore history and culture of the Cotswolds from the comfort of your own home.
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