Heritage Open Days

The annual festival of history and culture – Heritage Open Days – is on this weekend from 8th – 11th September. It’s a weekend when many historic buildings throughout England are open to the public free of charge. Some of these buildings are visitor attractions, but many (most) are not and it’s a wonderful opportunity to explore some otherwise hidden gems.

Council Chambers, Beccles Town Hall, The Walk, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 9AJ

Visit Beccles Town Council Chambers and view portaits from the first Aldermen/Mayors from the 1800s. The Town Council Chambers are not normally open to the public, except when meetings are held, and this event creates an opportunity to visit the chamber, meet the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Beccles, who will be there to welcome visitors. No booking required.

Opening Times
Friday 9 September: 1000-1400

Suffolk County Council, Halesworth Library, Bridge Street, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 8AD

If you are looking for help with researching your family history or if you just love looking through the archives, pop into the Halesworth Library on Friday, 9th September. Staff from Lowestoft Record Office will be on hand to answer any queries you have. No booking required.

Opening Times
Saturday 10 September: 1000-1600

Walpole Old Chapel, Halesworth Road, Walpole, Suffolk, IP19 9AZ

Walpole Old Chapel was adapted from a domestic building, following the Act of Toleration of 1689 and is a rare example of a dwelling converted into a chapel. Today the galleried interior conveys the setting and atmosphere of 17th and 18th century dissenting worship. The Suffolk Historic Churches Trust ‘Ride and Stride’ event will be calling in at the Chapel on the Saturday.

Opening Times
Friday 9 September: 1030-1600
Saturday 10 September: 0900-1700
Sunday 11 September: 1030-1600

Diss Iron Works, Diss Ironworks, 7 St. Nicholas Street, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4LB

Diss Iron Works includes a 17th century back that shows very good timbering and ovolo mullioned windows. There has been a shop here since 1840 and the ironworks lies in the entrance to Cobbs Yard. No booking required

Opening Times
Thursday 8 & Friday 9 September: 1100-1400

Diss Museum, Diss Museum, 4-5 Market Place, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4AB

Exhibitions include: the Redgrave Estate, the royal visit of 1866, 100 Years of the Cub Scouts, a Community Cabinet, the World War One events of 1916, the Heritage Triangle and much more. No booking required

Opening Times
Thursday 8 – Sunday 11 September: 1000-1600

Designer Makers at 21, 21 St. Nicholas Street, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4LB

Early 19th century shop with a late 19th century wooden shop front. The building now houses craft studios and shop. No booking required

Opening Times
Thursday 8 – Saturday 10 September: 1000-1700

Francis Cupiss Limited, The Wilderness, The Entry, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4NT

Explore the history of the print company fom 1830 onwards. This includes the production of horse medicine and the progression to printing. Afterwards, visitors will be invited to use the firm’s historic printing presses to print a souvenir of their visit. This event is not suitable for children under the age of 10. No booking required

Opening Times
Thursday 8 – Saturday 10 September: 1000-1600

Harleston Museum, Broad Street, Harleston, Norfolk, IP20 9AZ

Photographs from 1920s to present day, Royal memorabilia and chinaware will be on display. There is also a model of possibly the oldest fire engine in Norfolk and its story of the dastardly crime which nearly prevented its construction and the present plans to repair it and put it back on show.

See a model of the Mayflower and hear of its links to Harleston; handle a mammoth’s bones; read stories by both dead and living residents of the town; and much more…

Opening Times
Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 September: 1000-1200 & 1400-1600

Harleston’s History for All at The Swan Hotel, 19 The Thoroughfare, Harleston, Norfolk, IP20 9AS

An extensive bar area of this fine C16th coaching inn is turned over to the Historical Society for this event. Combine this with a visit to the Harleston Museum, which is about 100 metres away. No booking required.

Opening Times
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September: 1000-1600

The Pennoyer Centre, Station Road, Pulham St Mary, Norfolk, IP21 4QT

Award-winning restoration of 15th-century Guild Chapel and Victorian school. Exhibitions from the archives of material that will include village/local photographs plus airship memorabilia. Event not suitable for children under the age of 10. No booking required