Wirral’s history opens its doors for Heritage Open Days
Wirral’s rich and diverse history will be more accessible than ever from next week, as dozens of historic buildings and open spaces open their doors for Heritage Open Days - England’s biggest celebration of history and culture.
Organised locally by Wirral History & Heritage Association, the FREE 10-day festival starts on Friday 6 September and provides an opportunity to enjoy 75 places or activities that are usually closed to the public or charge an entrance fee.
The Chair of Wirral History & Heritage Association, Paul Smith, said:
Living in Wirral means you are never very far away from some truly wonderful heritage – whether it be a Saxon church or a beautiful historic landscape - however, many of us have no idea about what lies inside, or the role those places have played in history.
Heritage Open Days are the perfect chance to change that by enjoying a peek inside some hidden places, or maybe taking a guided walk to learn about how they came to be, what happened there, or even how they have influenced things around the world.
Now in its 30th year, Heritage Open Days are presented by The National Trust with support from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Local activities have also been supported as part of Wirral’s 2024 Borough of Culture Programme.
Wirral’s Heritage Champion, Councillor Jerry Williams, said:
Celebrating and improving access to local history and heritage are key themes for our Borough of Culture year, so it is wonderful to see so many places taking part right across our peninsula.
And none of this would be possible without the generosity of the site owners, or the hundreds of volunteers who support the Wirral History & Heritage Association, who deserve a huge thank you for the knowledge, enthusiasm and time the give to the festival.
Heritage Open Days run from 6 to 15 September. A full list local events and their opening times is available on the Wirral History & Heritage Association website. You can also pick up a free programme from libraries and many other community buildings across Wirral.
For more information about Heritage Open Days across the country visit heritageopendays.org.uk.
