Herts &amp; Beds


<p>Fancy a sneaky peek behind the doors of Herts and Beds&#8217; most intriguing buildings and outside spaces, including some that are rarely open to the public? Well, this is your chance, as the annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/">Heritage Open Days</a>&nbsp;is back from the&nbsp;<strong>6-15 Sept</strong>. There are nearly 90 FREE drop-in and bookable events, from tours and talks to walks and workshops, taking place across our counties on the theme of Creativity Unwrapped. Don&#8217;t know where to start? Here, let me help with my pick of the umissable opportunities. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ridgmont-station-heritage-centr-e-ridgmont-6-8-and-11-15-sept"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/ridgmont-station-heritage-centre-open-days" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ridgmont Station Heritage Centr</a><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/ridgmont-station-heritage-centre-open-days.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">e</a>, Ridgmont, 6 &#8211; 8 and 11 &#8211; 15 Sept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Ridgmont-Station-Heritage-Centre-credit-Suzanne-Scott.jpg" alt="Ridgemont Station" class="wp-image-72399" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Ridgmont-Station-Heritage-Centre-credit-Suzanne-Scott.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Ridgmont-Station-Heritage-Centre-credit-Suzanne-Scott-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Ridgmont-Station-Heritage-Centre-credit-Suzanne-Scott-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Ridgmont-Station-Heritage-Centre-credit-Suzanne-Scott-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre &#8211; credit Suzanne Scott</figcaption></figure>



<p>This award-winning Victorian Station House will be open throughout the Heritage Open Days event, nearly every day from 10am-4pm. With its Gothic cottage style, museum, Station Master&#8217;s Parlour and Vintage Tea Room (in the former ladies&#8217; waiting room) and gift shop, there&#8217;ll be plenty to see. There may even be a chance to meet a member of the Victorian station staff on Sundays plus there&#8217;s a family quiz and a new symbol spot trail for children aged five and over. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hertford-castl-e-hertford-8-sept"><a href="https://www.hertford.gov.uk/events-listings/hertford-castle-heritage-day-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hertford Castl</a><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/hertford-castle-heritage-day.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">e</a>, Hertford, 8 Sept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hertford-castle-heritage-open-day-1000x667.jpg" alt="Hertford Castle Heritage Open day" class="wp-image-79595" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hertford-castle-heritage-open-day-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hertford-castle-heritage-open-day-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hertford-castle-heritage-open-day-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hertford-castle-heritage-open-day.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The annual Hertford Castle Heritage Open Day event is always a hit. The grounds will be transformed into a medieval encampment with tonnes of interactive demos, from firebreathing to falconry to storytelling and a Viking battle re-enactment. There&#8217;ll also be facepainting, archery and food and drink stalls, plus the castle itself will be open to explore. It&#8217;s on from 12 &#8211; 4pm and is free to attend, but there&#8217;s a small cost to some activities. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-walled-garden-at-luton-hoo-luton-11-sept"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/hertfordshire-fire-museum.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Walled Garden at Luton Hoo</a>, Luton, 11 Sept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Luton-Hoo-Walled-Garden.jpg" alt="Luton Hoo walled garden" class="wp-image-72393" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Luton-Hoo-Walled-Garden.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Luton-Hoo-Walled-Garden-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Luton-Hoo-Walled-Garden-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Luton-Hoo-Walled-Garden-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The volunteer run Walled Garden Project has lovingly restored the Capability Brown designed garden to the unique space you see today. The five acre site is surrounded by the original 18th century octagonal wall and contains a timber framed conservatory dating back to 1908, glass peach house and vinery, plus the Head Gardener&#8217;s office, potting shed, boiler house, stables and propagation houses. Entry is from 11am &#8211; 3pm. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-houghton-hous-e-ampthill-7-9-sept"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/houghton-house/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Houghton Hous</a><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/houghton-house-tour.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">e</a>, Ampthill, 7 &#8211; 9 Sept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Houghton-House-Ampthill-FROM-PR-1000x667.jpg" alt="Houghton House Ampthill" class="wp-image-85869" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Houghton-House-Ampthill-FROM-PR-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Houghton-House-Ampthill-FROM-PR-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Houghton-House-Ampthill-FROM-PR.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Explore the ruins of this now English Heritage 17th century mansion, which reputedly inspired the House Beautiful in Bunyan&#8217;s The Pilgrim&#8217;s Progress. There are spectacular views over the Bedfordshire countryside and you&#8217;ll see examples of classic, Jacobean and classical architecture on one on two volunteer-led tours at 11am and 1pm. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-piccotts-end-wall-painting-s-hemel-hempstead-7-8-sept"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heritage-open-days-at-piccotts-end-paintings-16th-17th-september-2023-tickets-598347161467?aff=ebdssbdestsearch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Piccotts End Wall Painting</a><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/piccotts-end-pre-reformation-wall-paintings-in-a-grade-i-listed-16th-century-hall-house.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">s</a>, Hemel Hempstead, 7-8 Sept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Piccotts-End-Paintings.jpg" alt="Piccotts end wall paintings" class="wp-image-72389" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Piccotts-End-Paintings.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Piccotts-End-Paintings-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Piccotts-End-Paintings-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Piccotts-End-Paintings-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>These early 16th century murals were painted just before the Reformation, as a show of Catholic solidarity. Housed in a Grade I-listed cottage they&#8217;re usually hidden from public view, yet are the only surviving paintings of their kind in the country &#8211; so they&#8217;re pretty historically significant. They include include images of Christ in Majesty, the Virgin Mary, the Baptism of Jesus, St Clement, St Peter, St Katherine and St Margaret. Historian Karen Murphy will run hourly tours between 11am &#8211; 3pm about her research into the works and the intriguing medieval history of the area. Pre-booking required</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-st-albans-clock-tower-st-albans-14-15-sept"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/st-albans-clock-tower.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Albans Clock Tower</a>, St Albans, 14 &#8211; 15 Sept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Enjoy-spectacular-views-from-St-Albans-Clock-Tower-©Cecelina-Tornberg-1000x667.jpg" alt="St Albans clock tower" class="wp-image-85873" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Enjoy-spectacular-views-from-St-Albans-Clock-Tower-©Cecelina-Tornberg-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Enjoy-spectacular-views-from-St-Albans-Clock-Tower-©Cecelina-Tornberg-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Enjoy-spectacular-views-from-St-Albans-Clock-Tower-©Cecelina-Tornberg.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">©Cecelina Tornberg</figcaption></figure>



<p>Climb the 93 steps to the top of this medieval belfry, meet Gabriel (the bell!) and see the working Victorian clock, plus the Dial Room, which is only open to the public on Heritage Open Days. There&#8217;ll also be golden keys hidden around the clock tower for children to find and claim some choccie coins. 10.30am &#8211; 5pm. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bfi-national-film-amp-television-archive-berkhamsted-8-and-15-sept"><strong><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/bfi-national-film-television-archive.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BFI National Film &amp; Television Archive</a></strong>, Berkhamsted, 8 and 15 Sept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/BFI-Berkhamsted-FROM-PR-1000x667.jpg" alt="BFI Berkhamsted" class="wp-image-85870" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/BFI-Berkhamsted-FROM-PR-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/BFI-Berkhamsted-FROM-PR-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/BFI-Berkhamsted-FROM-PR.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Film buffs, here&#8217;s one for you. Did you know we had a world class film and TV archive right here in Herts? Well, now you do and you can see if with your own eyes as the British Film Institute open the doors to the John Paul Getty Jnr Conservation Centre especially for Heritage Open Days. Get an insight into the specialist skills and tech involved in video preservation with demos from the experts, collection talks from the curators and tours of the enormous film vault. There&#8217;ll also be refreshments courtesy of The Hospice of St Francis. 10.30am &#8211; 4pm. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-few-more-free-highlights-to-check-out">A few more FREE highlights to check out&#8230;</h2>



<p>Learn more about what&#8217;s thought to be the best remaining example of a Norman motte and bailey castle in the country on a free guided tour of <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/berkhamsted-castle-guided-tours" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkh</a><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/berkhamsted-castle-guided-tours.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amsted Castle</a> throughout the festival (<strong>8, 10, 12 and 14 Sept</strong>, 10am &#8211; 6pm, with tour at 11am, 2pm or 3pm). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Berkhamsted-Castle-002.jpg" alt="Berkhamsted Castle" class="wp-image-72397" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Berkhamsted-Castle-002.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Berkhamsted-Castle-002-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Berkhamsted-Castle-002-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Berkhamsted-Castle-002-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Also in Hertford, you can see parts of <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/panshanger-park.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panshanger Park</a> which are usually closed to the public, on <strong>7 &#8211; 8 Sept</strong>, including the old stable block, where you&#8217;ll find local history info and kids&#8217; activities, plus the chance to sign up for a guided walk. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Watford-Fire-Museum-FROM-PR-1000x667.jpg" alt="Watford Fire museum" class="wp-image-85871" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Watford-Fire-Museum-FROM-PR-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Watford-Fire-Museum-FROM-PR-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Watford-Fire-Museum-FROM-PR.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>On <strong>7 September</strong> there&#8217;ll be a chance to learn about the history of fire fighting at the <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/hertfordshire-fire-museum.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fire Museum in Watford</a>, only open once a year. Plus children can have a go with modern fire-fighting equipment, see the training facilities and demos, learn about fire safety and see an exhibition of historic photography of the Watford Fire Brigade. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="743" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/wrest-park-garden-1000x743.jpg" alt="Wrest park" class="wp-image-77795" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/wrest-park-garden-1000x743.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/wrest-park-garden-800x595.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/wrest-park-garden-706x525.jpg 706w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/wrest-park-garden.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>On <strong>13 September</strong> there&#8217;ll be the chance to delve deeper into the history of <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/wrest-park-collections-store-tour.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wrest Park in Silsoe</a> with a peek into the collections, of over 200,000 objects covering 6,000 years of history. There are tours with the Collections Manager at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.</p>


Through the keyhole! Unlock Herts & Beds’ hidden spaces with Heritage Open Days

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