Heritage Open Days comes to Newark and Southwell this weekend
The distrist’s history and heritage will be celebrated in a series of events over the next few weeks.
Historic buildings will throw open their doors as part of the annual Heritage Open Days.
The initiative was established in 1994 and is England’s largest festival of history and culture, with around 5,000 events around the country.
Events run in the district from September 22.
In Southwell, there is the chance to do the heritage hop on Saturday, September 21.
Here is a breakdown of the events Newark and Southwell.
Newark Heritage Barge
The Leicester Trader is the last Trent size cargo barge built to fit the old locks of the Trent Navigation Company.
It will be at Riverside Park from Friday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm, from September 13 to 22.
Newark Town Hall Museum
Take a tour of Newark’s town hall with guides in traditional Georgian dress, including the mayor’s parlour, ballroom and the Victorian police cells.
It is open tomorrow and Saturday, 10.30am to 3.30pm.
Sconce and Devon Park
Guided tours will be offered of the park, which includes the Queen’s Sconce from the civil war.
They take place tomorrow and Saturday, 2pm to 3pm.
Newark Cemetery Chapel Interpretation Centre
Friends of Newark Cemetery will be available to help locate graves dating back to 1856.
The chapel itself will have a display, Their Legacies Live On, featuring some of Newark’s most influential figures who helped shape the town.
It is open tomorrow, and September 19 and 20, 11am to 1pm.
Newark Castle
Join a fun family trail uncovering the secrets of the castle and its grounds.
It is available on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm.
Newark Parish Church
Enjoy a day of activities, including talks, children’s workshops and a concert.
It takes place on Saturday, from 9am to 4pm.
There will also be tower, treasury and library tours at 1pm, 1.45pm and 2.30pm.
Brackenhurst Hall, Southwell
See inside this beautiful Grade II listed country hall built in 1828, and its extensive formal gardens.
Guided tours take place on Sunday, from 11am to 4pm.
Civil War tour of Newark
Assistant curator at the National Civil War Centre, Kevin Winter, will lead an extensive tour.
Tours start at the castle bandstand at 11am on Sunday, and 2pm on Sunday, September 22.
Southwell Minster
Discover 1,000 years of history with a cathredral that started life in Norman times. Tours last around an hour and tower tours are also available on the hour from 11am to 3pm.
Also view Archbishop’s Palace next door.
The open days are a week today and Saturday, September 21, from 1oam to 4pm.
Newark Masonic Hall
As well as opportunities to see the temple, there will be talks on the history of masonry in Newark, including some of Newark’s most notable Freemasons.
The hall, on The Avenue, will be open a week today and Saturday, September 21, from 10am to 2pm.
Saxons Underground
A chance to see some of Newark’s nationally significant collection of Anglo Saxon burial and cremation artefacts at the National Civil War Centre on Saturday, September 21, from 10am to 4pm.
Ancient heritage skills
See ancient flints found at Farndon Fields archaeological site as well as replica flint and bone tools and Ice Age jewellery made by volunteers.
They will be in Newark Market Place on Saturday, September 21, 10am to 4pm.
Heritage building skills demonstration and participation
Find out how the town’s precious buildings are kept in shape with Nottinghamshire Buildings Preservation Trust and Newark Civic Trust.
It is in Newark Market Place on Saturday, September 21, from 10am to 4pm.
Dean of Southwell residence and garden
Look around the residence and gardens, where Sixteen Eight Five will be playing medieval and baroque music.
It is open on Saturday, September 21. The residence is open from 11am to 2pm, and the gardens from 11am to 4pm.
Southwell Library
Photographs capturing life in Southwell through the ages will be on display from 9am to 3pm on Saturday, September 21.
Saracen’s Head Hotel, Southwell
Visit the King Charles Suite and view the vivid Elizabethan wall paintings at this building, which dates from the 1460s.
It is open from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, September 21.
Medieval house, Southwell
Visit Home Farm Cottage, Westhorpe, which was built in the 14th Century and is the earliest known residence in Southwell.
It is open on Saturday, September 21, from 11am to 2pm.
The Old Courthouse, Southwell
Find out about the real-life court cases heard in the courtroom and then take a tour of the cells below, with their original features.
It is open from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, September 21.
Southwell Workhouse
There is free entry to this most complete workhouse in existence, built in 1824, from noon to 5pm on Saturday, September 21.
Hear the stories of those who lived and worked there in the 1840s.
Newark’s timber framed heritage
Local architect Bernard Martin leads a tour of Newark’s timber framed buildings, including The Prince Rupert, Queen’s Head and Governer’s House.
It starts at Newark Library at 11am on Sunday, September 22.
Newark Palace Theatre
Learn the history of one of the theatre, take a look backstage and try your hand at the technical side.
It is open on Sunday, September 22, from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
READ MORE:
Care leaver champions Local Offer providing opportunity to young people
New Roadmaster set to tackle potholes
Last family of refugees from war-torn Syria welcomed
