Heritage Open Days celebrate England’s fantastic historic architecture and culture by offering FREE access to properties which are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission.
Every year on three days in September, there’s a chance to discover architectural treasures and enjoy FREE access to a wide range of events and activities which bring local history and culture to life.
Gloucester’s events, organised by Gloucester Civic Trust , feature over 120 events, from the opportunity to see inside the Eastgate Chamber to viewing the inside one of the best examples of a Tudor Merchant’s house in the country. The city is among the top three venues in the country with its huge range of activities during Heritage Open Days with guided tours , music and cultural activities in the City Centre, at Gloucester Docks and in the city’s suburbs.
Friday September 9th – Sunday September 11th
Click here for Heritage Open Days 2022 Brochure
The booking system is now active and full details are in the brochure.
Booking is through the Museum of Gloucester website – click HERE
To see a map of the City Centre please click HERE
HOD Talks at the Folk
All Talks will be held in the Ed Shed at the rear of The Folk in Westgate St. Access also available in Quay St.
Booking is essential at https://www.museumofgloucester.co.uk/hods
Friday 9th September
11:00 : Dr Walter Hadwen – Hero or Charlatan?
Dr Hadwen was a controversial figure. Invited to Gloucester at the time of
the great smallpox epidemic of 1896 to set up a medical practice as an anti
vaccinationist. Popular with his patients but viewed with suspicion by the
medical profession which led to his trial and acquittal for the murder of a
child under his care. The talk will be given by Paul Drinkwater.
14:00 : The Rise and Fall of Gloucester Spa
Pat Bosley will cover an interesting part of Gloucester’s history with the
start of the Spa Company at Eagle Hall in the 1740’s, it’s move to Spa Road
and it’s closure in 1869.
18:00 : Morelands Matches
Morelands made matches in Gloucester from 1867 until the factory closed
in 1976. Paul Drinkwater tells the story of its history and the manufacture of
the famous ‘England’s Glory’ brand
Saturday 10th September
11:00 : Cotton Motorcycles – the pre-war years
The young Bill Cotton was a keen motorcyclist. A visit to the 1911 Isle of Man TT
inspired his unique design and the building of a few prototypes. WW1 however
delayed production until late 1919 when he started production in Gloucester with
varying success and continued through to the start of 1940. Bob Smith tells the
story.
14:00 : Robin Burton (in Tower View Room)
This talk considers our English heritage of traditional song, how it was
almost lost and how it was rescued!
14:00 : Gloucester Bell Makers
The craft of bell making was practised in the city for over 800 years. Many
of the bells produced still survive throughout the country and elsewhere in
the world. Phil Moss tells this fascinating story with a cast of thousands
18:00 : The Great Silence – Gloucester Remembers
Min Lane looks back at WW1 Remembrance events in Gloucester 1919 to
WW2. A celebration of the generosity of spirit of Gloucester folk.
Sunday 11th September
11:00 : Gloucester –“The The Rise and Fall of Gloucester – “TheTimber City”
Phil McCormick of Nicks Timber will tell the story of the growth of the timber
industry in Gloucester from the opening of the canal from Sharpness docks to
over a dozen traders in the City until the demise of the traffic in the mid 1990’s.
14:00 : Gloucestershire comes to the Light
Tony Conder tells the story of how electric power came to Gloucester and
the county and how Gloucestershire contributed to the development of the
science of electricity
18:00 : Pin Making in Gloucester
Gloucester and surrounding areas was said to be the centre of pinmaking in
the 18th century. Rose McDowall will give a brief history of the use of pins
and of pin making in the city of Gloucester