Bath Voice News: Heritage Open Days allow you to visit buildings and places normally closed – (it’s so enjoyable having a snoop around for free)

Heritage Open Days offer the opportunity to visit fascinating places and buildings with interesting histories that are not always open to the public during 6-15 September 2024. 

Bath Jewish Burial Ground

Greendown Place, Bradford Road, Bath, Somerset, BA2 5DD

08 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking not required

Visit this beautiful cemetery, resting place of Bath’s Jewish community in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Experience its peaceful atmosphere, and learn about the lives of the people buried here who came to this country from so many places.

Southcot Burial Ground

Southcot Burial Ground, Bottom of Lyncombe Hill, Bath, Somerset, BA2 4PG

07 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking not required

A hidden oasis in the centre of Bath. Come and discover it for yourself. This year will include a family trail.

Prior Park

Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, Somerset, BA2 5AH

Multiple dates available

In person

Pre-booking not required

Prior Park will open for free on 7 and 14 September – come and see the recent restoration and find out more about the archaeology and conservation of the garden.

Organ talk and tour

Bath Abbey, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1LT

Multiple dates available

In person

Book on day

A fun, musical demonstration for all ages of our remarkable Klais church organ by our Director of Music and Assistant Organist, followed by the chance to hear a recital (10th Sept only) and see the organ close up on a unique ‘backstage’ tour.

Eyre Chantry Chapel

Perrymead Cemetery, Popes Walk, Bath, Somerset, BA2 5AZ

12 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking not required

The Eyre Chapel is a gem of ecclesiastic Victorian architecture.

Walcot Methodist Chapel

Walcot Methodist Chapel, Nelson Place East, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5DA

Multiple dates available

In person

Pre-booking not required

The original ‘Walcot Chapel’ is the oldest Methodist chapel in Bath. It is a place of worship for the congregation of Bath Methodist Church on Sundays and open for other activities and community groups during the week.

Bath Elim Church: Past, Present & Beyond

Charlotte Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2ND

07 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking not required

Come and explore the rich history of our church and our mission to serve the community. Join us as we reflect and celebrate. Whether you’re captivated by history, seeking inspiration, or simply curious about the story of the church.

American Museum & Gardens

Claverton Manor, Claverton, Bath, Somerset, BA2 7BD

15 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking not required

Incredible gardens, museum of American arts & heritage, interactive exhibition, shop, play area, American Garden Deli with valley view terrace.

Bath Quaker Burial Ground / Garden

Quaker Burial Ground, Clarendon Road, Bath, Somerset, BA2 4NJ

07 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking not required

Visit the Quaker Burial Ground in Widcombe, Bath, a lovely, peaceful walled garden on the side of a valley. Meet some Quakers and learn a little of the history of ‘Friends’. 2024 is the 400th Anniversary of the birth of Quaker founder George Fox.

The History of The Magdalen Chapel

The Chapel of St Mary Magdalen, Holloway, Bath, Somerset, BA2 4PX

Multiple dates available

In person

Pre-booking not required

An Exhibition of the History of The Chapel of St. Mary Magdalen Chapel, Holloway, Bath – built in the 11th century, rebuilt in the 15th, extended in the 18th and bombed in the 20th – the illustrated history of the Chapel and its associated charities.

Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre

Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre, Swallow Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1 RB

09 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking not required

Volunteer Day – find out about volunteering with school groups and talk to members of the learning team at the Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre.

Our World in 2050

Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2HN

13 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking preferred

The key social, political, economic, technological and ecological trends we can expect over the coming decades.

The Shelleys and their bonds with Bath

Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2HN

12 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking preferred

The time poet Percy and his wife, Frankestein author Mary Shelley, spent here.

Myra, an Elegy for an unknown lady by Dr William Oliver

Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2HN

09 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking preferred

As well as being a distinguished Bath doctor, William Oliver was a poet who wrote a Pastoral Elegy for a deceased patient. Who was Dr Oliver’s lover? Duncan McGibbon recites, for only the second time in history, this moving and accomplished poem.

My Bath view bucket list with Charles Minty

Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2HN

10 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking preferred

Bath artist Charles L. W. Minty talks about his favourite spots to paint people in landscapes.

Church of Our Lady and St Alphege, Bath

Oldfield Lane, Bath, Somerset, BA2 3AD

Multiple dates available

In person

Pre-booking not required

The church was built in 1929 and designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, one of Britain’s greatest 20th-century architects, inspired by basilicas in Rome. Scott regarded it as his ‘little gem’. It is grade 2* listed.

Weston Free Church (Moravian) Open Day

Weston Free Church (Moravian), High Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 4DB

07 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking not required

One of only a few working Moravian churches remaining in England. Activities include stalls, crafts, entertainment, an audio-visual display, vintage vehicles, a tour of the facilities, history of the Moravian Church, and more. Refreshments available.

Andrea Casali and his work for Alderman Beckford

Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2HN

12 Sep 2024

Online & In person

Pre-booking preferred

Dr Amy Frost spotlights the artist displayed at Dyrham Park and BRLSI.

Newton Park – home of Bath Spa University

Bath Spa University, Newton Park, Bath, Somerset, BA2 9BA

Multiple dates available

In person

Pre-booking not required

Bath Spa University opens its doors for everyone to enjoy our Georgian house, our lake and landscape, the walled gardens, picnic areas and beautiful views. See what our students do now, and how we blend the past and the present.

Newton Park – home of Bath Spa University (bookable activities)

Bath Spa University, Newton Park, Bath, Somerset, BA2 9BA

07 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking required

Bath Spa University opens its doors for everyone to enjoy our Georgian house, our lake and landscape, the walled gardens, picnic areas and beautiful views. See what our students do now, and how we blend the past and the present.

CWGC Tours 2024 – Bath (Locksbrook) Cemetery

Locksbrook Cemetery, 5 Cedric Road, Bath, Somerset, BA1 3PD

06 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking required

Join us for a Commonwealth War Graves Tour of Bath (Locksbrook) Cemetery

Roman Baths Local History Store – Lansdown

Lansdown Park and Ride, Bath, Somerset, BA1 9BJ

11 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking required

Explore weird and wonderful objects from Victorian spa equipment to Georgian furniture. Join a treat of a tour at 10am, 12 noon and 2pm. Booking essential – romanbaths_enquiries@bathnes.gov.uk

Combe Down Stone mines – the Village that built a City

54a Combe Road, Combe Down, Bath, Somerset, BA2 5HZ

Multiple dates available

In person

Pre-booking not required

The village that built a city. Bath – a vision of golden Palladian architecture, made of Bath stone. This Jurassic limestone gives the city its very character, with much of the stone supplied by the Combe Down mines owned by Ralph Allen in the 18thC.

“Real Tennis, Mr Sadler’s Balloon, The Hereford Chicken – and other stories from the Museum of Bath at Work”

Julian Road, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2RH

06 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking not required

Local historian Ann Cullis will reveal some of the fascinating tales associated with the unique and historic building occupied by the Museum of Bath at Work – built originally as Real tennis court in 1777.

Discovering the Romans

Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre, Swallow Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1RB

Multiple dates available

In person

Pre-booking required

Through fun activities, crafts and crazy rituals, uncover what it was like to live in Bath 2000 years ago. Discover the people who lived in and travelled to Aquae Sulis and how they spent their time.

Capturing the City

Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2HN

11 Sep 2024

In person

Pre-booking preferred

Members of the BRLSI Bicentenary Workshops have been photographing favourite sights in Bath

More details at https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/