News Heritage Open Days with a difference
Heritage Open Days will be running again in Maidstone this year, although like everything else things will be a little different.
Every September volunteers across the country organise events to celebrate our history. The Heritage Open Days are part of that national festival of history and culture and Maidstone is taking part, offering free events which are running from Friday 11 to Sunday 20 September.
Some of the most popular open days will go ahead as normal, with limited numbers and essential pre-booking in place to ensure social distancing.
However, new for this year, a number of online events will also be offered for the first time, so visitors will be able to participate in activities much further afield to explore even more hidden places and local gems in the comfort of their armchairs.
Cllr Paul Harper, Chairman of the MBC Economic, Regeneration and Leisure Committee said:
“Maidstone Borough Council is delighted to be able to host the Heritage Open Days as we are very proud of our heritage in Maidstone. We have experienced some difficult times recently so some visitor experiences may be a little different, but they still offer us a great opportunity for us to showcase some of the sites in the borough again. These events provide a fantastic insight into the history of our county town. Due to ccoronavirus, Open House gives us all the opportunity to discover more of the heritage of Maidstone and it's villages and to see behind the scenes all for free.”
For history lovers in Maidstone these events are an opportunity to visit historic places in the borough and celebrate their heritage, community and history, for free. Providing an insight into how, when and why they were created, giving residents a chance to see hidden places and rarely told stories. With many of these not normally being open to the public.
Places to visit as part of the 2020 Maidstone Heritage Open Days include:
- Inside Maidstone Carriage Museum - 11 – 20 September:
Enjoy a series of short videos exploring some of the remarkable and fascinating carriages held in the Maidstone Carriage Museum.
- Angel Day at St Michael and All Angels – 12 September:
This church has a wonderful set of stained-glass windows which has a fascinating story to tell. A written guide will help visitors explore inside the church, alongside craft activities for children and a nature trail in the grounds outside.
- Mote Park Walks – 15-17 September:
Enjoy a series of guided walks in the beautiful Mote Park, looking at the living landscape, past and present. Enjoy a lunchtime stroll or an early evening walk as the sun goes down or take a walk after dark in search of bats.
- Maidstone Town Hall Tours – 16-17 September:
Maidstone Town Hall is a fine Georgian building, dated 1763, that was originally used as the Magistrate’s Court. Find out more about the building and its history as part of Heritage Open Days.
- Guided walk from Allington Lock to edge of Maidstone – 18 September:
Enjoy a guided walk discovering the nature and history of the River Medway from Allington to Ringlestone and back.
Heritage Open Days is coordinated and promoted nationally by the National Trust with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Every single Heritage Open Days event is free, including access to many sites that usually charge for admission.
For more information regarding events available in the borough please go to the Visit Maidstone website:
https://www.visitmaidstone.com/whats-on/heritage-open-days