Heritage Open Days
Credit Simon Finlay

Heritage Open Days 2018: double weekend programme to be revealed on Friday 20 July & booking opens on Monday 23 July!

It’s exciting news for Norfolk’s Heritage Open Days (HODs) fans as the festival reveals its 2018 programme on Friday 20 July, and for the first time in HODs history, the much-loved annual event will run across two weekends instead of one.

On Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 & Thursday 13 – Sunday 16 September, Norfolk is set to host eight busy days of free tours, talks, walks, open days, exhibitions, performances and open gardens. It’s a chance to celebrate local communities, meet new people, share stories and learn more about where we live and the places we visit.

Almost 300 free events are planned and the festival brochure will be available from Friday 20 July at The Forum in Norwich, Tourist Information Centres, libraries and venues across the county. An electronic version of the brochure will also be available online at www.theforumnorwich.co.uk/hods.

Many of the festival events are drop-in and visitors can just turn up on the day. For venues where space is limited, tickets must be pre-booked and bookings open on Monday 23 July at 9am.

In 2017, over 70,000 people enjoyed exploring and discovering all sorts of hidden heritage right on their doorstep. In 2018, plenty of the usual favourites will be opening their doors along with lots of exciting new venues and events on offer. Here’s a taster:

A twilight tower tour at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist

Blickling Hall and Felbrigg Hall are opening their magnificent doors and gardens

NR Own Words: Lakenham Speaks! The Forum has been working with Girl Guides on a social history project – don’t miss their performance based heritage exhibition

Catton Park is celebrating Humphry Repton with an open day to mark the bicentenary of the landscapegardener‘s death

Horsey Windpump is preparing its sails for turning for the first time in 75 years

Get digging, dress up like a Roman and go to Roman training school at Caistor Roman Town

Go on the Talking Statues trail and hear stories from Norwich’s statues as they prepare to talk back!

Visit a former Cold War atomic weapons bomb store near Thetford and climb a 25ft watchtower

Dress to impress at the Wymondham Vintage Day and step back in time with live music, classic cars, games, marching Suffragettes, tug-of-war and more

Special themed events include:

Extraordinary Women – events across the county will mark the centenary of the Act that granted some women the right to vote

Weird Norfolk – a partnership with Archant celebrates the strange world of Norfolk’s weird andwonderful folklore with crafts, exhibitions and walks

Norfolk Remembers – 2018 marks the centenary of the end of the First World War and a number of events will remember the contribution made by Norfolk people

Cathy Eden, HODs Coordinator at The Forum, Norwich, said: “This year’s festival has a whole host of new events to look forward to. Visitors of all ages can explore, be curious and enjoy a sneaky peek inside places that aren’talways open to the public. There are plenty of family friendly events and activities to enjoy right across thecounty and it’s all free!”

The HODs programme in Norwich and across much of Norfolk is coordinated and promoted by The Forum with support from Norwich City Council and Norwich Tourist Information Centre. The programme is also delivered in partnership with Breckland Council, Broadland District Council, Thetford Town Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, South Norfolk Council, North Norfolk District Council, Visit North Norfolk and many local organisations and individuals.

For further information on the national Heritage Open Days programme visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk. For local enquiries about HODs, please get in touch via [email protected] and visit www.theforumnorwich.co.uk/hods for updates and tickets.

About The Forum:

The Forum, in the centre of Norwich, is one of the UK’s most successful Millennium projects.

It’s a public building, open seven days a week, all year round (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

Everyone is welcome. Most of the public events, exhibitions and activities which take place at The Forum are free.

The Forum Trust is the independent, self-financing, charitable organisation which manages The Forum building.

It is responsible for The Forum’s continued development, growth and innovation.

The Trust works with many partners to ensure The Forum plays a valuable role in the community.

Details about the charitable ‘project purpose’ which under-pins The Forum are on the website

www.theforumnorwich.co.uk

Heritage Ope Days

About Heritage Open Days:

Heritage Open Days is co-ordinated and promoted nationally by the National Trust with funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, and run locally by a large range of organisations (including civic societies, heritage organisations, and local councils, community champions and thousands of enthusiastic volunteers).

https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/