Festival Heritage Open Days returns this month, celebrating all things transport for its 30th anniversary.
England’s largest festival of history and culture runs from September 6-15, with events taking place across Hertfordshire.
Brought to you by the National Trust, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, HODs bring people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history.
This year's theme is 'Routes, Networks & Connections' and historic houses to factories, museums to music halls, formal gardens to graveyards, places and spaces will again open for free this month.
Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days marketing and projects manager, said: “The scale and diversity of Heritage Open Days is just incredible — every year thousands of passionate people help visitors to make doorstep discoveries and connect with history and heritage in every part of England.
"This year though, it will be extra special as we celebrate three decades worth of stories and all the brilliant people and places that have made it, and continue to make it, all possible!”
For more Heritage Open Days (HODs) details, and what's on in Hertfordshire, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk
11 events taking place in Hertfordshire for Heritage Open Days 2024
1. Verulamium Museum
St Michaels Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4SW
Built on the site of one of the largest Roman cities in Britain, Verulamium Museum is filled with ancient treasures and some of the finest mosaics outside of the Mediterranean.
Bring the entire family and explore the wonders of Roman life, immerse yourself in recreated Roman rooms and admire the craftsmanship of the intricate large-scale mosaics on display. You can also see recent discoveries such as the Sandridge Hoard, a collection of 159 Roman gold coins.
In addition to hands-on discovery areas for younger visitors, the museum also provides a selection of activity sheets for children and dressing up clothes.
After your visit to Verulamium Museum you can explore remains of the Roman city in Verulamium Park. Directly outside the museum you can visit the Roman Hypocaust, and if you venture a little further, you can see visit the Roman Theatre and see the Roman city walls too.
When:
- Saturday, September 7: 11am-3.30pm (last admission at 3pm)
- Saturday, September 14: 11am-3.30pm (last admission at 3pm)
Pre-booking not required.
2. Children's Activities at Place House Hall
Place House, Bluecoat Yard, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 9HL
Ware’s Grade I listed medieval hall, Place House Hall, will be open on Sunday, September 8, from 11.30am to 4pm, with history activities for children all day.
Come and meet Nurse Constance, who will tell you about life as a child in the 17th century, and enjoy free history activities including dressing up in Tudor clothes, trying 17th century handwriting, dismantling a wooden scarf joint and putting back together, and designing a coat of arms.
When:
- Sunday, September 8: 11.30am - 4pm
Pre-booking not required.
3. Kings, Queens, Dungeons and Dragons
Berkhamsted Castle Gates, White Hill, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1LJ
Take a stroll through royal routes to and from the castle and stroll through a former royal deer park.
From royal love nest to stone-hearted prison, Berkhamsted Castle was a central location for kings, queens, their lovers and hangers on.
Join author and former BBC History producer Dan Parry for a family-friendly stroll along royal routes through the castle's former deer park. This walk includes streets around the castle along with narrow and muddy woodland tracks.
When:
- Friday, September 6: 10am
- Saturday, September 7: 10am
- Monday, September 9: 10am
- Saturday, September 14: 10am
Pre-booking required.
4. Panshanger Park
Panshanger Park, Hertfordshire, SG14 2NA
Explore areas of Panshanger Park not usually open to the public. There will be guided walks, tractor tours, talks, information stands and family activities based at the Old Stables off the B1000 entrance.
Panshanger Park has seen many changes over the last 250 years. From a large country estate landscaped by Capability Brown and Humphrey Repton, to a sand and gravel quarry and now a country park great for wildlife and for visitors to explore.
During this Heritage Open weekend, see the old stable block which was part of the Cowper estate in the early 1800s — and a working stable until 40 years ago. Now offices, you can still see the original stalls and tiling as it was when accommodating horses.
For those interested in a more in-depth exploration of the site, there will be several guided walks and talks, including a guided tractor tour of the park’s more recent history from the park’s estate manager, Michael Charlton, an illustrated heritage guided walk, and a series of talks from the Friends of Panshanger Park.
Michael Charlton said: “Panshanger Park has more history to it than perhaps is obvious at first glance and if you take the time to look a bit closer, you will notice that there are plenty of clues to its past. We are delighted to be able to share the secrets of Panshanger Park with our visitors, so why not take a trip and see what you can discover?”
When:
- Saturday, September 7: Event: 10am-4pm. Walks: 10.30am, 1.45pm. Talks: 12.15pm, 1pm. Tractor Tours: 11am, 2.15pm.
- Sunday, September 8: Event: 10am-4pm. Walks: 10.30am, 1.45pm. Talks: 12.15pm, 1pm. Tractor Tours: 11am, 2.15pm.
5. Royston Parish Church Guided Tours
St John the Baptist Church, Church Lane, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 9LG
Visit Royston's Parish Church for a tour — either self-guided or with a local guide — to discover the history of a place where monks, residents and travellers along the Icknield Way and Ermine Street have prayed for over 850 years.
The Parish Church of St John the Baptist was built within a stone’s throw of the crossroads between the Icknield Way and Ermine Street and dates back to the 12th century, when it was founded as an Augustinian Priory.
Its location on the main route to and from major settlements such as Lincoln, York and Edinburgh means that travellers ranging from Kings and knights to highwaymen would have passed through Royston and many will have visited the church to pray.
The building has recently reopened following major repairs and refurbishment following a devastating fire in 2018. Tour guides will be available to explain the history and the stories of some of the people who have made this place special over the last 850 years.
There will be a children's trail and activities. You can also find out more about bell-ringing, with demonstrations of the church's historic bells being rung.
When:
- Saturday, September 14: 10am-4pm. Tour every half hour.
Pre-booking not required.
6. St Mary's Church
St Mary's Church, Church Street, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0EG
A great chance to see one of the oldest churches in Watford. Located in central Watford, there will be guided tours of the bell tower as well as self-guided tours of the church.
Refreshments available and volunteers on site to help answer any questions.
When:
- Saturday 14 September: 10am - 2pm.
Pre-booking not required.
7. Hertfordshire Fire Museum
223-229 Lower High St, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 2AG
Staying in Watford, people will be able to see the history of firefighting in the museum, as well as the equipment now used.
This is the yearly opportunity to visit the fire station and speak to the firefighters about their role in the community and to see what’s required to enable the station operate efficiently.
There will be a number of stalls including fire safety and various local charities.
Youngsters will be able to work a fire-fighting hose, and there will a chance to go into the smoke/heat training facility. There will be various demonstrations of the appliance and equipment.
The museum has items of equipment from days gone by and a large photographic display of fire engines, fires and information about the fire brigade in Watford.
When:
- Saturday, September 7: 12pm - 4pm
Pre-booking not required.
8. Visit St Leonard's Church, Bengeo
St Leonard's Road, Bengeo, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 3JW
A rare opportunity to visit the Grade I listed 11th/12th century St Leonard's Church in Bengeo, Hertford.
Described by Pevsner as "a rare example of a virtually intact Norman village church", you can enjoy this church — which is normally closed — and see its treasures, including medieval wall paintings and tiles and Georgian monuments.
Stewards will be available to answer questions and guide you to the main features. If you are bringing children, a treasure hunt and colouring are available to help them enjoy the visit.
When:
- Saturday, September 7: 11am-4pm
- Sunday, September 8: 11am-5pm
Pre-booking not required.
9. Celebrating the History of Smallford Station and the Hatfield & St Albans Railway
Smallford Station Car Park, Station Approach, Station Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0HF
Smallford Station is a unique, 150-year-old Grade II listed building that served the Hatfield and St Albans Railway. The original track-bed is now The Alban Way, a very popular foot and cycle path that runs between Hatfield and St Albans.
Smallford is located at the centre of this route. Since 2013, a group of enthusiastic volunteers with a wide range of interests, knowledge and skills have been researching the history of the station and railway and the influence they had on surrounding communities.
A celebration and formal opening of the refurbished station platform will be held.
When:
- Sunday, September 8: 11am-4pm
Pre-booking not required.
10. Ayot St Peter Church Open Day
Ayot St Peter Church, Ayot St Peter, Ayot St Peter Road, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 9BG
The church will be open all day for visitors to browse and take photographs.
This is an opportunity to explore Ayot St Peter Church, an exceptionally complete and beautifully preserved Victorian Arts and Crafts church of 1875 by J. P. Seddon.
The church features mosaics by Jesse Rust, the only church installation by Martin Brothers Pottery ('Martinware') and a fine painted ceiling in the apse.
The church is described in the Simon Jenkins book 'England's Thousand Best Churches' (1999) and the latest edition of Pevsner.
This year there will be a small exhibition of items relating to the railway station that once existed in the village.
When:
- Saturday, September 14: 10am-5pm.
Pre-booking not required.
11. Piccotts End: Pre-Reformation wall paintings in a Grade I listed 16th century Hall House
132 Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 3AU
This is a rare opportunity to see these unique early 16th century wall paintings, which have featured on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.
Housed inside a Grade I listed medieval cottage are wall paintings of Christ in Majesty, the Virgin Mary, the Baptism of Jesus, St Clement, St Peter, St Katherine and St Margaret.
These were painted in 1527, just before the Reformation, as a statement of Catholic support at a time of religious turmoil in the country, and are the only such surviving examples in the country.
Tours will run on the hour, so please refer to Eventbrite to book. At each tour there will be a short talk by Karen Murphy on her research into the history of the building and the paintings, including some of the important late medieval history of the area.
When:
- Saturday, September 7: Bookable tours: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
- Sunday, September 8: Bookable tours: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Pre-booking required.
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