Market Square
Aylesbury HP20 1TW
UK
14 – 15 September 2019
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 2019 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.
Heritage Open Day 2019 booklet
Bookings open on 1st July for Judges Lodgings, County Tower, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre and Old Aylesbury Walk.
Saturday 14 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 and 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
10.00am – 11.30pm
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. 1½ 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.
Tales of Old Aylesbury Walk
By Wagamama, The Exchange, off Market Square, HP20 1XD
12.30pm – 2pm
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. 1½ hours long and covers a distance of approx. 1.25 miles.
Max 30 people for the tour, which must be pre-booked. Please call 01296 425678 or email info@aylesburytowncouncil.gov.uk
Some kerbs and cobbled streets to negotiate during the tour.
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.
The Tower Block County Hall Aylesbury
County Hall, Walton Street, HP20 1UA
10am – 1.30pm
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
Matters of Life and Death!
Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies, County Hall, Walton Street, HP20 1UU
9.30am – 3.30pm
Interested in Family History or Local History and don’t know where to start? The Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies is holding a fun-day to help you explore the big questions of birth, death, life in-between and the legacies we leave.
At the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies we will have a Family History Help Desk and access to family history websites; pop-up refreshments and our Matters of Life and Death exhibition. In Aylesbury Market Square we will have a drop-in point for historical questions, activities and information about local and family history.
Booking is not essential, for more information contact us via 01296 382587 or archives@buckscc.gov.uk
Aylesbury’s Waterways
Aylesbury Canal Basin, Exchange Street, outside Waitrose, HP20 1AL
3.00pm – 4.00pm
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.
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.
Muddled Museum – Can You Help?
Market Square, HP20 1TW
9am – 4pm
Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society have a table full of finds in Market Square on Saturday 14 September, which has got in a bit of a muddle! Can you help them sort it out?
Suitable for the young and not so young…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 over 170 years ago by a Victorian gentry. Not too many of those around now, but find out what the society’s up to today.
The stall will be by the clock tower in the middle of Market Square.
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Backstage Tour
Exchange Street, HP20 1UK
10.30am and 12.30pm
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 10.30am and 12.30pm and must be pre-booked by calling 0844 871 7607*. Max 60 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
Medieval themed arts, crafts and games. Learn about the history of the King’s Head – one of England’s best preserved coaching inns. View features of the 15th century building.
Access to the pub is via cobbled passage.
Waterside Festival
University Campus Aylesbury Vale, 59 Walton Street, HP21 7QG
11am – 5.30pm
Floating market, outstanding live performances by local musicians, free paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing along with fishing taster session. There will be a food court and a children’s area with games and arts and crafts.
After successfully making a splash for its debut event, the much-loved Waterside Festival will be returning for 2019 on Saturday 14 September, 11am –5.30pm. With so many of the favourites from last year’s event returning, including; the beautiful floating market, outstanding performances from local musicians, choirs and dance groups and free canoeing, kayaking and paddle-boarding sessions, there’s a full day of summer-fun awaiting festival-goers. There’s also a whole host of new and exciting activities to suit everyone. Enjoy waterside wildlife themed arts & crafts, childhood games, merry-go-round and swing boats and be sure to refresh and recharge by visiting the delicious food court!
Sunday 15 September
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
10.30am
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 10.30am 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.
Participating Organisations:
- Aylesbury Quakers
- Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership
- Aylesbury Town Council
- Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
- Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society
- Buckinghamshire County Council
- Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies
- Roving Canal Traders Association
- The Aylesbury Society
- The King’s Head (Chiltern Brewery)
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