Heritage Open Days is an annual national festival that takes place every September dedicated to the celebration of heritage and culture! Heritage Open Days offers visitors the chance to explore some fantastic hidden gems and try new experiences.
Each year venues across Lincolnshire take part in this great festival to showcase what this wonderful county has to offer. Each year a theme is selected for venues to join in with. Although they do not have to is they wish. This year’s theme is The Arts of Lincolnshire – Creativity Unwrapped. The theme this year is based around the history of creativity and the Arts encompassing topics such as literature, art, music, and drama. It will be celebrating the stories and work of the experts and enthusiastic amateurs who add that something extra to all aspects of our daily lives and their stories have left their mark on the Lincolnshire we see and love today.
Here’s what coming up in the area during the Heritage Open Days festival:
1. Keeping Their Stories Alive
Friday 8 to Sunday 17 September, 10am to 4pm
Scampton Church and RAF War Graves Heritage Centre, High Street, Scampton, Lincoln LN1 2SE
RAF Scampton was the birthplace of 617 (Dambusters) Squadron. This exhibition aims to ‘keep their stories alive’ through a series of artistic and authentic photographs, talks and two newly commissioned stained glass windows. The exhibition is set within the beautiful 14th Century Scampton Church.
Pre-Booking Essential: [email protected]
2. Art in our Open Church
Saturday 9 September, 10am to 3pm, Sunday 10 September, 12pm to 3pm
Gainsborough United Reformed church, Church Street, Gainsborough DN21 2JR
Enjoy our special art exhibition by local artists from around Gainsborough. The Mayflower Heritage room will be open and refreshments will be available.
3. Broadcast Engineering Museum – Restoring TV’s past for the future
Sat 9th – Sun 10th 11.00 – 16.00
41 Capper Avenue, Hemswell Cliff, Gainsborough DN21 5XS (Parking in our Forecourt – please follow the signs)
Get hands-on experience at our Broadcast Engineering Museum! You can admire an original camera that televised the late Queen’s coronation or put yourself on TV with our green screen. Come aboard a working 1960s vintage outside broadcast truck and explore newly completed museum areas.
4. Bygone Lincoln – A Pictorial Tour Presented by Chris Hewis
Sunday 10 September, 2.30pm to 4pm
The Old School, Mill Hill, Nettleham, Lincoln LN2 2PE
Victorian and Edwardian photographers recorded everything from Royal Visits to everyday events in the City. Using photographs from Saxilby History Group’s ‘John Wilson Collection’, see how much the City has changed in 100 years.
Pre-Booking Essential: Tel: 01522 521337 / https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pictorial-tourof-bygone-lincoln-tickets-603591708047
5. An Evening of Poetry
Monday 11 September, 6pm to 9pm
The Ugly Duckling Restaurant, Caistor Lakes, 99a Brigg Road, Caistor LN7 6RX
Join us for an evening of poetry as poets perform spoken word before a live audience. This is the perfect chance for aspiring creatives to try out their glossary of poetry and rhyming repertoire.
Pre-Booking Essential. Please contact Caistor Lakes/Aimee or Nick Finlay 01472859626 [email protected].
6. Keeping Their Stories Alive: Illustrated Talks
Wednesday 13 & Wednesday 27 September, 7pm
Scampton Church and RAF War Graves Heritage Centre, High Street, Scampton, Lincoln LN1 2SE
In celebration of the exhibition that ‘keeps their stories alive’, experienced heritage guides will be hosting a complimentary illustrated talk highlighting the stories told in the main exhibition.
Pre-Booking Essential: [email protected]
7. Gainsborough’s Heritage Skills Fair
Saturday 16, 09am to 3pm
Gainsborough Market Place, DN21 2EU
Gainsborough’s historic heart will come alive with traditional craftsmen and women demonstrating age-old trades and bygone crafts from the past. Learn about traditional building repairs, decorative arts, green wood crafts, leather-work and much more. Lots to buy, see and learn!
This event is open to all and accessible for all. More details and updates on the Gainsborough Heritage Skills Festival can be found here.
To find out more about Lincolnshire Heritage Open Days, and to view the full listings visit their website.
For more information about visiting Gainsborough, head over to our visit and things to do pages. For regular updates follow Discover Gainsborough on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.