This is an annual festival organised by the National Trust across the UK where the public are invited to see inside historic buildings, free of charge. This year Swindon is putting on a fabulous offer over the weekend of 11 and 12 September, when some of our most interesting historic buildings will be open, including:
- St Mary’s Church and the Walled Garden at Lydiard
- Richard Jefferies Museum
- Friends Meeting House at Eastcott
- Prospect Place in Old Town (guided tour)
Much of the activity will be concentrated in the Railway Village where these buildings will be participating:
- Carriage Works
- Health Hydro
- Railway Village Museum
- Central Community Centre (formerly GWR Hospital)
- Baker’s
- St Mark’s Church
- Pattern Church
- Gluepot pub
People will be able to take guided tours, visit museums, see historic food demonstrations, hear expert talks, musical recitals and bell-ringing, view exhibitions of historic photos and artworks, creative crafts with their children and enjoy cream teas and other refreshments.
Please help us to make this event a success for Swindon by promoting it to residents and across your networks. If you’d like to get involved by volunteering some time to help with stewarding, serving cream teas etc., then contact the Heritage Action Zone project officer, Karen Phimister (kphimister@swindon.gov.uk). All volunteers will be offered a guided tour of the Railway Village and information session beforehand.
To confirm opening dates and times of venues please see the Heritage Open Days website.