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Volunteers across Preston are once again organising events to celebrate our history and culture as part of England’s Heritage Open Days.
In 2024 there are almost 40 events taking place between Saturday 7 September and Sunday 15 September.
From Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory to Plumbs Factory, and from Dobcroft Nature Reserve to Plau, each venue gives a chance to explore normally hidden places – all for free.
Below is our round-up of what’s happening by date within a ten miles radius of Preston.
You’ll notice that some events take place over multiple dates. Select the links to check meeting points, times and booking requirements.
Shameless plug! Blog Preston has teamed up with Preston Cleansing Department for Heritage Open Days to run a special InstaMeet as part of our series going behind the scenes at locations around the city. Find out more and sign up for one of the few limited spaces.
Saturday 7 September
Ashton Freehold – the Route to a New Suburb
Discover a Victorian suburb created in Ashton-on-Ribble by a freehold land society, an early type of building society.
Broughton in Amounderness Heritage Centre and Church Cottage Museum
Guided Tours of Church Cottage (1590), restored Museum 1995, part of Broughton Heritage Centre and including Parish Church and National School. Includes ‘Peasants Hovel’, Sleeping Gallery, Inn, School Room, Parlour, Wash House, Cart Shed and Garden.
Engineers, Emigrants and Entrepreneurs of Ashton
Discover the stories of the hard-working entrepreneurial families who lived in Ashton-on-Ribble in the late 19th century, and those who also had an impact on industry abroad.
Take a look inside Moor Park’s historic observatory, and – weather permitting – gaze at the skies with the help of Preston and District Astronomical Society members.
Preston Masonic Hall – 80 years on Saul Street
Freemasons moved into Saul Street in September 1944. They brought furnishings that now dates back over 200 years. Tour the whole of the building guided by Masons in full dress regalia. Visit the free local artists and photographers exhibition.
Read more: Instameet Preston explores the secrets of the Masonic Hall
SHOP Preston to host open day at No. 3 Syke Street. No. 3 is a community space and studio that will be displaying a mixture of work including archival material, building history, workshops and art events delivered from the New Wave 24 collaboration.
Discover Preston’s Grade I listed church – with the highest parish church spire in the UK and a stunning hammer beam roof spanning the width of the building. The spire and its panoramic views over Preston will be open, weather permitting.
Sunday 8 September
Ashton Freehold Networks – Sisters, Servants and Soap
Take a stroll round the mid-Victorian suburb of Ashton Freehold and discover some of its early residents and the networks – family, business, religious and geographical – that connected them.
Broughton in Amounderness Heritage Centre and Church Cottage Museum
Guided Tours of Church Cottage (1590), restored Museum 1995, part of Broughton Heritage Centre and including Parish Church and National School. Includes ‘Peasants Hovel’, Sleeping Gallery, Inn, School Room, Parlour, Wash House, Cart Shed and Garden.
Take a look inside Moor Park’s historic observatory, and – weather permitting – gaze at the skies with the help of Preston and District Astronomical Society members.
Tour a historic pub and dram shop, reopened after an award-winning restoration, and since Grade II listed. Discover the old Plough Inn, built 350 years ago, with its medieval well and remains of 18th century distillery in its vaulted cellar.
A special tour will guide visitors through the front of house and backstage areas of the theatre, housed in a former Friends Meeting House
Discover Preston’s Grade I listed church – with the highest parish church spire in the UK and a stunning hammer beam roof spanning the width of the building. The spire and its panoramic views over Preston will be open, weather permitting.
Monday 9 September
Tour a historic pub and dram shop, reopened after an award-winning restoration, and since Grade II listed. Discover the old Plough Inn, built 350 years ago, with its medieval well and remains of 18th century distillery in its vaulted cellar.
Take a walk with Wyre Rivers Trust using specialist equipment to listen for bats.
Tuesday 10 September
Ashton Freehold Connected – Sewers, Services and Supplies
A tour of a Victorian suburb revealing the challenges of connecting water, gas and electricity supplies, sorting out sewers, setting up regular bus and tram services and staying safe on the streets.
University of Central Lancashire Library and Special Collections
Explore artefacts and records from UCLan’s Special Collections. A selection of items will be available to browse and Fran the Archivist will be on hand to answer any questions. There will be time for an optional tour of the library as well.
University of Central Lancashire Tunnels to Rooftops Campus Tour
Join an historical tour of the University of Central Lancashire’s Preston campus finishing with panoramic views from the rooftop terrace of the new Student Centre.
Wednesday 11 September
500 years of Garstang – Heritage Trail
Discover through local buildings and structures, the historic town and surrounding area of Garstang.
Engineers, Emigrants and Entrepreneurs of Ashton
Discover the stories of the hard-working entrepreneurial families who lived in Ashton-on-Ribble in the late 19th century, and those who also had an impact on industry abroad.
Lancashire Conservation Studios and Museum Collections
Behind the scenes at the museum, meet the curators and conservators who look after Lancashire’s heritage. Take along your objects for identification and see objects from the reserve collections.
Take a peek behind the scenes at Plumbs in Ashton-on-Ribble. As the UK specialists in made-to-measure sofa covers, curtains and reupholstery for over 60 years, this is an exclusive opportunity to see expert craftspeople at work.
Thursday 12 September
University of Central Lancashire Library and Special Collections
Explore artefacts and records from UCLan’s Special Collections. A selection of items will be available to browse and Fran the Archivist will be on hand to answer any questions. There will be time for an optional tour of the library as well.
University of Central Lancashire Tunnels to Rooftops Campus Tour
Join an historical tour of the University of Central Lancashire’s Preston campus finishing with panoramic views from the rooftop terrace of the new Student Centre.
Friday 13 September
Bleasdale – From the Past until the Present
A guided local history trail that follows various tracks and paths in the parish of Bleasdale, situated in the foothills of the Forest of Bowland.
Saturday 14 September
County Hall talks and Christ Church chapel visits
Step back in time and book on a free talk or chapel visit for an exclusive journey through the history and architecture of County Hall and Christ Church chapel, Preston.
Explore the intricate routes, networks, and connections that make up the natural world during this Nature-Based Open Day. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a family seeking quality time in nature, this event has something special for everyone.
Garstang Quaker Meeting House was built in 1829 and is a good example of the early simple form of meeting houses, it has Grade II listed status. 2024 sees the celebration of the 400th Anniversary of George Fox, the founder of The Quakers
Take a look inside Moor Park’s historic observatory, and – weather permitting – gaze at the skies with the help of Preston and District Astronomical Society members.
Discover the ever-evolving history of Preston’s markets including the Market Hall and Box Market under the Grade II listed canopies built in 1875 and 1925.
Visit the council Chamber, at the heart of the Town Hall and discover how local decisions are made. See the splendid Civic regalla and learn about its fascinating history. And complete your tour meeting the Mayor in the Mayor Parlour.
Routes – Networks – Connections at Lancashire Archives & Local History
See behind the scenes at Lancashire Archives & Local History where you’ll find 900 years of Lancashire’s written heritage, with a display of material relating to Preston Railway Station, and the National Football Museum Pride of the Pitch exhibition.
SHOP Preston to host open day at No. 3 Syke Street. No. 3 is a community space and studio that will be displaying a mixture of work including archival material, building history, workshops and art events delivered from the New Wave 24 collaboration.
Sunday 15 September
Haslam Park and Local Nature Reserve
Join an informative guided walk to hear about the north-south link of the Lancaster Canal to Preston since the late 18th century. Explore the Local Nature Reserve and wander around the park.
Heritage Afternoon at Bleasdale Parish Hall
A chance to visit Bleasdale Parish Hall and its Heritage Room, with displays and photographs detailing times past in and around the parish of Bleasdale.
Take a look inside Moor Park’s historic observatory, and – weather permitting – gaze at the skies with the help of Preston and District Astronomical Society members.
Lancashire Conservation Studios and Museum Collections
Behind the scenes at the museum, meet the curators and conservators who look after Lancashire’s heritage. Join tours by the conservators of their studios.
Discover the fascinating history of dealing with Preston’s rubbish on the site of an early manure depot. Tour the site of the former refuse destructor built in the 1880s to collect, sort and burn waste.
InstaMeet at Preston Cleansing Department
Blog Preston’s InstaMeets give you the chance to see where you often can’t in the city and then share pictures on Instagram. This time we’ve teamed up with Preston Cleansing Department for a Heritage Open Days special!
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This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to [email protected]ami for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.
