For the first time in its history, Heritage Open Days, a nationwide celebration of our country’s culture and heritage, will feature online events – and this is how some of our Cathedrals are taking part.
Heritage Open Days – What’s on and where.
In Hereford, they are hosting three different events on Saturday 12 September to highlight their Eastern Cloisters Project. This three-year project, supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, to repair, conserve and open up the Cloisters, is nearing completion so this year visitors can enjoy a sneak preview of the new activities on offer – both in person and online.
During the day, visitors can take part in a Cloisters Tour led by the Activity Officer for the project, a Photography Pilgrimage, or be inspired to write their own poem on the Poetry Trail.
These free events will all have limited spaces to adhere to social distancing and must be pre-booked in advance via the cathedral website – click here to see a programme of the day.
Hereford Cathedral is also creating online versions of these activities for people to take part from home and social stories for all these activities will be available to download as week before the event.
Sarah Hollingdale, Easter Cloisters Project Activity Officer, said:
“We are so excited about taking part in Heritage Open Days this year. Our events are the culmination of three years of hard work on the Eastern Cloisters Project and we can’t wait to share the newly renovated Cloisters with our visitors, who will get a sneak peek into the new and exciting activities that we will be offering.
“We’ve taken great care to make sure that the Cloisters a safe place to visit. However, we are really aware that many members of our community are not able to join us in person, so we will be sharing online versions of the trails and tours, as part of our ongoing commitment to accessibility.’
Find out more here.
Exeter Cathedral is inviting people to delve into its history on its Stones and Bones tours that explore the history of the Green, tracing its stories from Roman times to present day.
Visitors can discover Exeter’s cemetery and find out about surrounding buildings as well as the construction of both the Norman and the Gothic Cathedrals. The tour is available at 14.30 on Friday 11 September, Wednesday 16 September and Friday 18 September and pre-booking is required.
Go to: http://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk
Wakefield Cathedral is taking its heritage online and plans to post a photo every day on its social media showing the wealth of hidden nature that can be found in its windows and its carvings.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral is planning online events for Heritage Open Days too and will be sharing some of the hidden stories from their ancient library. Visit their website here https://stedscathedral.org
Heritage Open Days (HODs) runs from 11-20 September 2020 and aims to uncover stories, sites, places and people that traditional history has overlooked or forgotten. This year, for the first time, people can experience virtual tours and take part in online discussions as well as visiting historic places and green spaces in person.
Annie Reilly, Head of Producing at Heritage Open Days, said:
“The festival is about connecting people so we can share in the amazing stories of the places, spaces, nature, heritage and history around us. The last few months have shown us how online events can bring us together even when we have to remain apart.”
HOD is made possible with thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Visit their website to find out about HOD events near you. For example at Carlisle Cathedral, The Prior’s Tower tour. Discover the heritage of the Prior’s Tower and gain behind the scenes access to one of Carlisle Cathedral’s hidden gems, an original Tudor painted ceiling.
