This September, explore hidden places and try out new experiences for free as the annual Heritage Open Days festival returns.
Running from Friday 12th to Sunday 21st September, this year’s theme is Inspiring Architecture. Here is just a taster of what’s taking place in South Yorkshire. For the full list of free events, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk
Heritage Open Days events in Rotherham and Barnsley
Old Trinity Church, Wentworth
Main Street, Wentworth, Rotherham S62 7TX
Sunday 14th September 12pm-4pm
Explore this church-turned-mausoleum and its 16th and 17th century memorials to figures such as the Earl of Strafford, take a guided tour of the vaults, and learn more about Wentworth’s most powerful family.
No booking required
Barnsley Main Heritage Site
Oaks Lane, Barnsley S71 1HS
Thursday 18th September 10am-1pm
Look around the pop-up museum and discover the history of the grade II listed colliery pithead and Barnsley’s coal mines.
No booking required
How to Build a Cemetery
Wombwell Cemetery, Wombwell, Barnsley S73 8HY
Thursday 18th September to Saturday 20th September 10am-4pm
Discover how the cemetery came to be, from acquisition of land to its many extensions, with a chance to see the recently discovered 157-year-old tile and stone from the Chapel.
No booking required.
Aspects of Architecture at Wentworth Castle Gardens
Wentworth Castle Gardens, Stainborough, Barnsley S75 3EN
Friday 19th to Sunday 21st September 10am-4pm
Visit the site for free all weekend, or book on to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Rotunda, mansion house, orangery and walled gardens.
Pre-booking is advised for guided tours only. See what’s on at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/wentworth-castle-gardens/events
CWGC Tours at Rotherham (Moorgate) Cemetery
Saturday 20th September 10.30am-12pm
14 Boston Castle Grove, Rotherham S60 2BA
Join the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at Rotherham Moorgate Cemetery to find over 80 graves of soldiers killed in the First and Second World Wars.
Pre-booking required. Email public.engagement@cwgc.org or via www.cwgc.org
Rotherham Chapel on the Bridge
Saturday 20th September 10.30am-2pm
Bridge Street, next to Rotherham Bus Station S60 1RB
Discover the story of the 500-year-old chapel and venture into the crypt/jail to explore how the architecture has changed.
No booking required.
Hoylandswaine Nail Forge
The Nail Forge, Hoylandswaine, Barnsley S36 7JA
Saturday 20th September 10am-3pm
Step inside the last working nail forge in Britain, complete with its original, recently restored, hearth, bellows and chimney.
No booking required
Penistone St John’s Church
St John the Baptist Church, Penistone S36 6DY
Saturday 20th September 10am-4pm
Explore the grade I listed church to see the stained-glass windows, medieval altars, 80-ft bell tower, monuments to poet William Wordsworth, graveyard, and links to the home of football.
No booking required
Heritage Open Days events in Sheffield
National Emergency Services Museum – Architecture, The first 999 hub
The Old Fire Station, 101-109 West Bar, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S3 8PT
Saturday 13th September, Friday 19th September and Sunday 21st September 11am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm
Explore the history and architecture of the country’s first combined police, fire and ambulance station, including areas typically closed off to the public.
Pre-booking required. Email info@visitnesm.org.uk or call 0114 2491999 or via www.visitnesm.org.uk/hods
Wood Tools at Beehive Works
Beehive Works, 90 Milton Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S3
Monday 15th to Friday 19th September 10am-1pm and Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st September 10am-4pm
Visit a grade II listed Victorian cutlery factory, home to Sheffield’s last remaining hand grinder, with demonstrations of the traditional hand-grinding of steel blades.
No booking required.
Sheffield Town Hall ‘Behind the Scenes’ Tour
Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2HH
Friday 19th September 10.30am-11.45am
Experience one of the Grade I listed buildings in Sheffield, hear of visits from prominent historic figures and be guided through the Victorian Council Chamber that has 125 years of decision making.
Pre-booking required here.
Town Hall Treasures
Saturday 20th September 11am-2pm
Town Hall, Surrey Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2HY
A chance to see Sheffield’s civic treasures, including the Lord Mayor’s Robe and Mace, the City Sword, table centrepieces, goblets and caskets as well as a recreation of a civic banquet table setting.
No booking required.
Cutler’s Hall, Sheffield
The Cutlers’ Hall, Church Street, 7-15, Church Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 1HG
Saturday 20th September 10.30am-4.30pm
Discover both the public and private rooms of Cutler’s Hall, see its unique collections of silver and cutlery, and learn about the family who oversaw cutlery manufacturing and, later, Sheffield’s famous steel industries.
No booking required.
Abbeydale Picture House
387 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S7 1FS
Sunday 21st September from 11am, 1pm and 3pm
A chance to visit a surviving grade II listed 1920’s cinema with one of the only remaining cinema iron’s intact, with a tour by local historian and university lecturer, Mike Higginbottom.
Pre-booking required via www.truenorthbrewco.uk/aphopenday
