When:
8th September 2018 @ 9:00 am – 6:30 pm
2018-09-08T09:00:00+01:00
2018-09-08T18:30:00+01:00
Where:
Locations across the town centre of Aylesbury
Market Square
Aylesbury HP20 1TW
UK
Cost:
Free

8 – 9 September 2018

Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to places that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission.

This list shows all of the locations in Aylesbury Town Centre that are open as part of the Heritage Open Days 2018 as well as opening times and events. All events are free but some need to be pre-booked. More information on all events and accessibility is also available at www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory  – search for Aylesbury under towns.

Bookings open on 2nd July for Judges Lodgings, County Tower, Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies, Bucks County Museum and on 30 June for Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.

 

 

Saturday 8 September

Historic Tour of the Judges Lodgings
Judges Lodgings, off Market Square HP20 1UA
9.30am – 1.15pm
Come and explore the history of the Judges Lodgings and the County’s pictures on these special tours. Tours are at 9.30am, 10.45am, 12pm, 1.15pm and are around 45-60 minutes long.
Pre-booking is required. Max 20 people per tour. Please call 01296 382587 to book or e-mail archives@buckscc.gov.uk
A wheel chair lift is available from the entrance door to the first floor. Please advise on booking if you require any assistance getting up the stairs. The event is not suitable for children under the age of 12.

 

History Tour of Aylesbury Cemetery
Tring Road, HP20 1LF
10.30am – 12.00pm
Aylesbury cemetery opened in 1858. Roger King from The Aylesbury Society will be giving a tour of the cemetery, which starts at the Chapel and will cover the whole of Aylesbury cemetery and the various sections within. The tour is approx. 1¼ hours long.
The tour is not suitable for children under the age of 6.
Limited parking is available at the Tring Road (HP20 1LF) and Turnfurlong (HP21 7PY) entrance.

 

Meet the Archaeologist
Bucks County Museum, 9 Church Street, HP20 2QP
Handling sessions 11.30am, Museum open 10am – 5pm
Brett Thorn the Keeper of Archaeology, will be offering object handling sessions, to enable you to learn about and actually touch items from the county’s history. Ranging from Palaeolithic stone tools, created by the first humans in Britain, through a 3,000 year old bronze age sword, to Celtic gold coins, and Mediaeval jugs made not far from Aylesbury. Whilst seeing objects in a museum display, through glass, can be fascinating, the chance to actually hold something made 100s, or 1000s of years ago, and feel what those people felt, is a very powerful way of connecting to the past for some people, and a chance not to be missed.
Maximum 15 people per session, which is approx. 45 minutes long. This event is aimed at adults, and there may be some discussion of mature themes. The museum is free to explore but the handling session must be pre-booked by contacting 01296 331441 or email museum@buckscountymuseum.org

 

“Heritage Tour” of Aylesbury Old Town
Under the Old County Hall / Corn Exchange Arches by Market Square, HP20 1XD
2pm – 3.15pm
A guided walk around the historic parts of Old Aylesbury. Hear the stories of the public hangings, the First Wold War tank and many others. The tour is guided by Roger King from The Aylesbury Society. The tour is approx. 1¼ hours long and covers a distance of approx. 1.25 miles.
Some kerbs and cobbled streets to negotiate during the tour.

 

Aylesbury Quakers
Friends Meeting House, 9-11 Rickfords Hill, HP20 2RT
10am – 4pm
Visit the cottages and meeting house in Old Aylesbury dating back to the early 1700s. Enjoy a peaceful garden, once a Quaker burial ground, near the centre of the town.
Find out about Quakers, including our silent worship. You also have the opportunity to find out about other users of the meeting house.
Tea, coffee and other refreshments available.

 

Town Hall Council Chamber & Mayor’s Parlour Open Day
Town Hall, 5 Church Street, HP20 2QP
10am – 4pm
The Town Council Chamber and Mayor’s Parlour will be open for a display of the Mayor’s silverware and robes as well as fine original paintings and furniture.
Pictures and information from the archives will also be on display to show the history of the Town Council and the role of the Mayor. See the silver which the Mayor received from a variety of groups and visitors who came to Aylesbury, look at the Mayoral robes and admire the fine paintings of local dignitaries and the Tindal family.

 

St Mary The Virgin Church and Tower
St Mary’s Square, HP20 2JJ
10am – 4pm
Visit the oldest building and Parish Church of Aylesbury. This beautiful 13th century church in the heart of the old town will be open to explore. Guides will be on hand to answer any questions you have. The bell tower will be open as far as the ringing chamber, so come and see how the bells are rung and possibly have a go yourself. Bucks Family History Society will also be in the church for the day with a display of Parish maps and some of their books and Parish Records CD’s.
The Bell Tower can only be accessed via a steep, winding staircase. Children under the age of 8 years must be accompanied by an adult if they wish to climb the staircase to the ringing chamber.

 

The Tower Block County Hall Aylesbury
County Hall, Walton Street, HP20 1UA
10am – 2pm
Tour the County Hall, which opened in 1966. The building of purpose built accommodation for the County Council on Walton Street commenced in 1928, resulting in the building known as Old County Offices.
The expanding staff levels and responsibilities of the County Council resulted in further pressure on office space by the 1960s and the need for a new office building. Construction of the tower block with library complex opposite Old County Offices resulted, opening in 1966. The building dominates the Aylesbury skyline and is visible for miles around the town. Its design, under the guidance of the Architect, Fred Pooley, remains controversial, constructed in a typical 1960s brutalist style that has gained accolades from architects but a mixed reaction from the public.
Tours of the Tower will be taking place at 10am, 10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm and 1pm.
Pre-booking is preferred. Max 10 people per tour, which are approx. 30 minutes long. Please call 01296 382587 to book or e-mail archives@buckscc.gov.uk

 

Aylesbury Well
Chancellors, 13 Market Square, HP20 1TB
10am – 4pm
Visit the Old Well, which is under Market Square and find out the story behind it. The Aylesbury Well was discovered in the cellars of 13 Market Square many years ago. There are many speculations as to why the well is in this place and what the purpose was. Graham Webster from the Aylesbury Society will be taking visitors to see the well and providing more information and details.
Please note that access to the well is via steps and that there are no lifts available. The event is not suitable for children under the age of 6 years.

 

Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies Open Day:
County Hall, Walton Street, HP20 1UU
10am – 3.30pm, tour every hour
We celebrate 100 years of Suffrage with an exhibition telling the stories of eighteen women from Buckinghamshire’s past. Archive Exhibition “She’s got the vote” project exhibition and make your own protest sign craft activity plus tours of the archive. The centre will also have a stall in the Market Square with more information. Tours of the archive storeroom every 30 minutes, starting at 10am. Max. 10 people per tour, which must be pre-booked. Please call 01296 382587 or e-mail archives@buckscc.gov.uk

 

Aylesbury’s Waterways
Aylesbury Canal Basin, Exchange Street, outside Waitrose, HP20 1AL
3.30pm – 5pm
A guided walk along Aylesbury’s Canal. The walk is led by Ken Evans from The Aylesbury Society and includes historic facts and anecdotes. The Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal was completed in 1815. The arm branches off from the Grand Union Canal at Marsworth, near the Tring reservoirs, less than a mile from the start of the Wendover Arm, and heads west for six and a quarter miles to the county town of Buckinghamshire.
The walk is approximately 1 ¼ miles long.
The tow path on the canal can be narrow in some places.

 

170 Years of Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society
Market Square, HP20 1TW
9am – 4pm
Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society will have a stall in market Square on Saturday 8th September with a range of bits and pieces on display.
Is it a fossil? A bit of Roman pot? A sheep’s tooth? Is it thousand years old or was it made yesterday. Adults and children, it’s your chance to brush up on your archaeological skills!
The Bucks Archaeological Society was founded 170 years ago by a Victorian gentry. Not too many of those around now, but find out what the society’s up to today.
Heard of a little railway line called HS2? You might like to know of our conference on 29th September, set up by the Society so that local people can hear from HS2 archaeologists working the route. We’ll be telling you more about this on our market stall.
The stall will be by the clock tower in the middle of Market Square.

 

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Backstage Tour
Exchange Street, HP20 1UK
12pm and 3.30pm
Discover what it feels like to stand on stage, see behind the scenes and enjoy the beautiful architecture of this landmark venue, as the guide takes you on a tour of the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. Limited spaces so book yours early. Tours are taking place at 12pm and 3.30pm and must be pre-booked by calling 0844 871 7607*. Max 20 people per tour, which is approx. 1½ hrs long. Calls cost up to 7p per min, plus your phone company’s access charge
Some areas are restricted for wheelchair access. Visual story available – please ask the Box Office for details.

 

The King’s Head
King’s Head Passage, off Market Square, HP20 2RW
12pm – 4pm
The King’s Head, a 15th century coaching inn with Royal and Civil War connections and the oldest pub in town. History and mystery in the heart of Aylesbury.
Visit different styles of pubs throughout the ages and sample food/drink of the time in each pub (each pub will be an individual room styled to the time of portrayal). Activity booklet for children.
Access to the pub is via cobbled passage.

 

Waterside Festival
University Campus Aylesbury Vale, 59 Walton Street, HP21 7QG
11am – 6.30pm
Celebrating Aylesbury’s heritage coming together with its innovative new developments, Waterside Festival will have many different activities, including a continental market, floating market, canal boat trips, a pieces-of-eight treasure hunt, musical and theatrical performances, arts and crafts, food tasters and so much more. 

 

Sunday 9 September

Tudor Fayre
Bucks County Museum, 9 Church Street, HP20 2QP
11am – 4pm
The history of the Tudors is brought to life at the Bucks County Museum in Aylesbury, with a wide range of interactive historians to submerge you into the Tudor times!  Come and meet King Henry VIII, who will be wandering the grounds, you may join him as he’s entertained by his comical court Jester. King Henry’s second wife Anne Boleyn will be with us too, along with her spectacular Falcons. Come and enjoy all that the museum has to offer with lots of free family fun

 

Aylesbury Quakers
Friends Meeting House, 9-11 Rickfords Hill, HP20 2RT
12pm – 4pm
Visit the cottages and meeting house in Old Aylesbury dating back to the early 1700s. Enjoy a peaceful garden, once a Quaker burial ground, near the centre of the town.
Find out about Quakers, including our silent worship. You also have the opportunity to find out about other users of the meeting house.
Tea, coffee and other refreshments available.

 

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Backstage Tour
Exchange Street, HP20 1UK
10am and 1pm
Discover what it feels like to stand on stage, see behind the scenes and enjoy the beautiful architecture of this landmark venue, as the guide takes you on a tour of the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. Limited spaces so book yours early. Tours are taking place at 10am and 1pm and must be pre-booked by calling 0844 871 7607*. Max 20 people per tour, which is approx. 1½ hrs long Calls cost up to 7p per min, plus your phone company’s access charge
Some areas are restricted for wheelchair access. Visual story available – please ask the Box Office for details.

 

Floating Market
University Campus Aylesbury Vale, 59 Walton Street, HP21 7QG
10am – 5pm
Come and see an eclectic mix of items, many made on board the narrowboats by our talented traders. Our colourful floating markets feature a wide range of goods and crafts.

 

Continental Market
University Campus Aylesbury Vale, 59 Walton Street, HP21 7QG
10am – 5pm
With a large range of gifts and crafts as well as continental hot and cold food, this market offers something for everyone.

 

Participating Organisations:
Aylesbury Quakers
Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership
Aylesbury Town Council
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society
Buckinghamshire County Council
Buckinghamshire County Museum
Buckinghamshire Family History Society
Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies
Chancellors
Roving Canal Traders Association
St Mary The Virgin Church
The Aylesbury Society
The King’s Head (Chiltern Brewery)

#HODAylesbury #HODs

 

You can also download a copy of the full Heritage Open Days Aylesbury booklet by clicking on the link HOD Event Booklet 2018