As a part of Heritage Open Days, major British tourist attractions will have free entry during events from September 8-17.
Each September, thousands of volunteers across Birmingham, Solihull and Worcestershire invite travellers to experience local culture, religion, history and archaeology, including National Trust properties, mansions, museums, castles, houses, churches, former factories, graveyards, gardens and dovecotes.
This year’s Heritage Open Days theme is ‘Creativity Unwrapped’ and will focus on celebrating English creatives and innovations.
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Aston Hall: The 17th century mansion houses King Charles’s Chamber, the Great Stairs, and the Long Gallery. Tickets to the attraction usually cost £10 (R240) for adults and £5 (R120) for children. The Aston Hall event will take place on September 10, 12h00 to 16h00.
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Winterbourne House and Gardens: The acres of botanical gardens, which usually charges £8,20 (R198) for adults and £7,20 (R173) for children, is hosting a Birmingham Honey Show that will allow guests to see the bees in observation glass hives, attend live bee demonstrations (weather permitting) and meet local beekeepers.
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Coffin Works: The old Victorian factory in the Jewellery quarter will offer free guided tours around the museum, the courtyard and the stamp room every half hour from 11h00 till 15h00 on September 17. This museum usually charges an entrance fee of £8,50 (R205) for adults and £4,50 (R108) for children.
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Birmingham Botanical Gardens: The gardens feature themed landscapes, a butterfly house, glasshouses, a play area, a bandstand and a tea room. It normally costs £7,50 (R180) for adults and £5,50 (R132) for children. On September 10, the ‘Do You Want to Build a Glasshouse?’ event will have youth-led events and competitions, and free entrance.
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Shakespeare’s New Palace: The Bard’s historic family home and gardens will be hosting a trail walk organised by the Stratford-upon-Avon Heritage Volunteer Group on September 9 from 10h00 to 16h00. Tickets to the attraction usually cost £14,50 (R350) for adults and £7,25 (R175) for children.
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Moseley Ice House: The 18th century ice house in the West Midlands is generally only open to keyholders. However, the Moseley House parks and ice house will open to the public from September 16 to 17, from 11h00 till 13h00 and 14h00 till 17h00, respectively.
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RBSA Gallery: The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists hosts exhibits, events and workshops to support artists and encourage engagement. As a special Heritage Open Days event, art historian Ruth Millington is hosting a talk about the life and work of Birmingham surrealist, Emmy Bridgwater. On September 14, at 18h00 the 45-minute talk will be followed by Q&A.
For more information, visit the Heritage Open Days website.
