We hope you are aware of Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture, bringing together over 2,000 local people and organisations and thousands of volunteers across the country. Every year in September, lots of places throw open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history. It gives the public a chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.
Aylesbury Town Council has been coordinating these unique and insightful events across the town since 2015. With behind-the-scenes access to the Waterside Theatre, Bucks County Museum tunnels, the Mayor’s Parlour, the hidden water-well under Market Square, tours of the Old Court House, Judges’ Lodgings and Tring Road Cemetery as well as trips to St Mary’s bell tower, to name just a few.
Heritage Open Days in Aylesbury will take place on 11-12 September 2021. As the area coordinators, we would like to help local businesses, charities and organisations develop plans and ideas to create a memorable experience for visitors and ensure that they are Covid-flexible, by weaving online opportunities with in-person event plans.
2021 aims to be the biggest collection of open buildings in the town to date, in a celebration of our history, heritage, community and spirit, as we all look forward to getting back to a new normal. Heritage doesn’t have to mean old – it is anything that celebrates our town, its buildings, its people and its culture. If you’re interested in exploring opportunities that could encourage more visitors to your Aylesbury business and take advantage of the national and local publicity that this campaign generates then please email ruth.mayhew@aylesburytowncouncil.gov.uk to discuss options and ideas.
We will of course keep you informed of the fantastic line-up of open buildings and free activities on offer much closer to the time. It is hoped that lots of these will be in-person events, but only time will tell.