Historic gems open up to public for free
Castles, council chambers and cathedrals are among historic West Midland properties which will throw open their doors free of charge this month as part of a nationwide heritage event.
Castles, council chambers and cathedrals are among historic West Midland properties which will throw open their doors free of charge this month as part of a nationwide heritage event.
English Heritage will host the annual Heritage Open Days series from September 10 to 13 with properties and attractions of all shapes and sizes signed up to take part. The event was previously organised by the Civic Trust but the organisation went into administration earlier this year.
Nationwide, more than 4,000 attractions will open to the public – with some properties even revealing unseen rooms and exhibits. Hartlebury Castle, near Kidderminster, is among those properties which will allow visitors a behind-the-scenes look at its heritage and architecture.
The castle was home to the Bishops of Worcester for more than 800 years before the church decided last year that it was surplus to requirements and moved the current bishop closer to Worcester Cathedral.
The castle, the sale of which is currently being negotiated behind closed doors with the preferred buyer set to be revealed at the end of this month, will showcase its unique Hurd library, designed by the then Bishop of Worcester Robert Hurd in 1783.
Inspector of historic buildings at English Heritage Nick Molyneux said: "This is a fantastic building with a long and interesting history. The showpiece is obviously the library, which is one of the few remaining complete purpose-built libraries of its kind, with the bishops amassing a collection of rare books."
In Wolverhampton, one of the highlights will be a chance to peer behind the curtain of the Grand Theatre with backstage tours.
The city will also be marking the centenary of AJS Motorcycles and residents will get to take a look in the council chambers.
Birmingham Cathedral will welcome visitors, as will Haden Hall in Cradley Heath and Broadfield House Glass Museum in Kingswinford.
In Worcestershire events will take place in the Clent Hills, at Caldwall Castle, and St Leonard's Church in Bewdley.
In Solihull, entry to Packwood House, home to a collection of 16th and 17th century furniture, will be free on September 12.
Places you can visit over a busy weekend
All dates are between September 10 and 13
Dudley Borough
Station Hotel, Dudley, Saturday 10.30am – 4pm, Sunday 10.30am – 4pm
Halesowen Masonic Hall, Saturday 10.30am – 4pm. Sunday 10.30am – 4pm
Broadfield House Glass Museum, Kingswinford, Saturday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm
Friends Meeting House, Stourbridge, Sunday 11.15am – 2.45pm, talk at 3pm
Kinver Light Railway Walk, Kinver, near Stourbridge, Saturday from 10am
Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge, Saturday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm
St Mary's Church, Stourbridge, Saturday 10am – noon, talk and tour 10.30am
The Lace Guild, Stourbridge, Friday 9am – 4pm, Saturday 9am – 4pm, Sunday 9am – 4pm
Sandwell borough
Haden Hall, Cradley Heath, Sunday 2pm – 5pm
Shri Venkateswara Balaji Temple of the UK, Oldbury, Thursday 9am – 1pm and 4pm – 9pm, Friday 9am – 1pm and 4pm – 9pm, Saturday 9am – 2.30pm and 4pm – 9pm, Sunday 9am – 2.30pm and 4pm – 9pm
New Smethwick Pumping Station, Galton Valley, Smethwick, Saturday 2pm – 4pm, Sunday tours at 10.30am and 1.30pm.
Bishop Asbury Cottage, West Bromwich, Sunday 2pm – 5pm
Oak House Museum, West Bromwich, Sunday 2pm – 5pm
Walsall
Foundry Tour of Chamberlin & Hill Castings Ltd, Walsall, Saturday 10am – 12.30pm
St Paul's Church, Walsall, Thursday 9am – 3pm, tours at 11am and 2pm, Friday 9am – 3pm, tours at 11am and 2pm
Wolverhampton
AJS Motor Cycles Centenary: Walking Tour of Wolverhampton's Historic Motor Manufacturing Heartland, Wolverhampton, Saturday, tour 12.30pm – 2pm and film showing at 2.30pm, Sunday, tour 12.30pm – 2pm, film showing at 2.30pm
All Saints' Church, Wolverhampton, Friday 11am – 4pm. Saturday 11am – 4pm
Ambedkar Buddhist Centre, Wolverhampton, Sunday 11am – 4pm
Baker's Boot Factory, Wolverhampton, Saturday 11am – 4pm
Barons Court Hotel, Wolverhampton, Friday 11am – 4pm
Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Saturday tours at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm
Molineux Hotel, Wolverhampton, Saturday 10am – 4pm
Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton, Saturday noon – 4pm
University Of Wolverhampton School Of Art and Design, Wolverhampton, Thursday 10.30am – 3.30pm, Friday 10.30am – 3.30pm, Saturday 10.30am – 3.30pm
Society of Artists Open Day, Wolverhampton, Saturday 11am – 3pm
St Luke's Church, Blakenhall, Friday 11am – 4pm, Saturday 11am – 4pm
St Peter's Church, Wolverhampton, Thursday 10am – 4pm, Friday 10am – 4pm, Saturday 10am – 1pm, Sunday 10.30am – 11am and 12.15pm – 1pm
The Workspace (Atrium), Wolverhampton, Friday 11am – 4pm, Saturday 11am – 4pm
Tour of St Peter's Gardens, Wolverhampton, Friday at 10.45am and 1.45pm
Council Chamber, Wolverhampton, Friday 10am – 1pm
Wightwick Manor & Gardens, Wolverhampton, Thursday 11am – 5pm, Friday 11am – 5pm, Saturday 11am to 5pm
