Bombay Sapphire Distillery Self Discovery Experience-Glasshouses designed by Thomas Heatherwick (credit: Bombay Sapphire)

Discover history, architecture and culture at Heritage Open Days

History and heritage are all around, there may even be some hidden gems on your doorstep and there’s no better time to discover them than during this year’s Heritage Open Days.

It’s bigger and better than ever in 2019 with 10 consecutive days of events from 13^th to 22^nd September featuring 5,000 events and 40,000 volunteers.

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of Heritage Open Days with the theme for the year being People Power in recognition of the 200^th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre marking the ways in which people have changed the world, from marches and sit-ins to peaceful protests and rebel songs.

There are hundreds of events and open days to choose from, there’s sure to be something to suit every taste, here are just a few to tempt you:

Ascot – presentation on the history of Ascot Priory and a guided tour, 19th

Newbury – talk on Shaw House with access to many areas not usually open to the public, 14^th & 15^th

Caversham – guided tour of the riverside Caversham Court Gardens and family architecture trail, 21^st

Reading – Green Park Wind Turbine tour featuring facts, figures and experiments for the kids, 15^th & 19^th

Woodley – special opening of St John’s Church, former primary school and head teacher’s cottage, 21^st

Thatcham – enjoy a three-stop walking tour of some of Thatcham’s most historically significant buildings, 15^th

Wokingham – join a celebration of the 800^th anniversary of having a Market Charter with activities and demonstrations inside the town hall and out

Oxford – find out how medical researchers use ‘big data’ to answer questions about human health around the world with artwork, virtual lab tours and science games at the Big Data Institute, 14^th or how about The Kilns, the home and garden of CS Lewis, 14^th. There are almost 100 to choose from in Oxford

Abingdon – a rare chance to see the Victorian cells of the former county police station, 21^st

Burford – tour the Burford Quaker Meeting House and discover the history of the building which dates back to 1709, 14^th

Cirencester – view an old hunting dog kennel currently housing a microbrewery in Cirencester Park, 13th & 14th

Alton – three museums focus on Gilbert White and the Oates Collections with the chance to view them all, 19^th

Guildford – visit the central area and remains of Chilworth Gunpowder Mills, 15^th; enjoy the unique garden and views from Jellicoe Roof Garden, 14^th & 15^th or explore the Medieval Undercroft in High Street, a Grade II* listed building dating from the 13^th century, 14^th & 15^th

Woking – join the Basingstoke Canal Society for a trip from The Lightbox to the Muslim Burial Ground in Woking, 14^th & 21^st