Following the success of 2023's event, Heritage Open Days is returning for 2024, throwing open the doors to some of Colchester's most iconic and historic buildings.
Heritage Open Days 2024 will take place across two weekends in September (Friday 6th-Monday 9th, and Friday 13th -Sunday 15th) and feature a mix of new and fan-favourite locations to explore. From churches to art galleries, iconic Colchester landmarks to Airfield museums, there are plenty of ways to explore Colchester's rich and varied historic offerings.
In this post, we'll be exploring some of the fantastic openings at this year's event so keep reading to learn all about them.
Explore the City's Performance Venues
On Monday 9th, you'll be able to explore St Mary's at the Walls, which is now better known as the Colchester Arts Centre. This late 19th Century church has a reputation for having the best toilets in the country, and of course some of the county's best and weirdest performances too! With tours on the hour, you'll either be able to learn a bit more about the church's history or peruse at your own pace.
The Mercury Theatre is offering backstage tours on Friday 13th, including insights into the stage, the workshop spaces and wardrobing too! Following its recent refurbishment, there's more to see than ever before, and this is not a tour to be missed. You can book for FREE by calling 01206 573948 or via their website. If you're unable to book onto these tours, additional paid tours are also offered throughout the year.
The Mercury Theatre, one of Colchester's premier entertainment venues, is offering bookable backstage tours.
Museums and Galleries
Popular museums around the city are opening their doors, inviting you in for a special visit. For history lovers, you can learn about Colchester's rich and varied Roman history at Colchester Castle (Saturday 14) and Roman Circus Visitor Centre (Saturday 14), or the city's social history at Hollytrees Museum (Saturday 14).
While art and culture lovers may enjoy The Minories (Friday 6-Sunday 15) and The Munnings Art Museum (Friday 6-Sunday 15) are opening the doors, showcasing examples of fine art. The Munnings Art Museum are also offering tours on select dates, which take you into Munnings' former working studio, which must be booked in advance.
And for the transport fanatics, Boxted Airfield Museum (Saturday 7 - Sunday 8) and the East Anglian Railway Museum (Saturday 14) are opening their doors, inviting you in to learn more about planes and trains respectively.
Colchester Castle is one of the city's most popular attractions, and is welcoming guests in for free on Saturday 14th September.
A Walk Through the City's Churches
Some of the city's churches are opening up their doors, allowing you to engage with their history and gawk at their beautiful architecture. From St Michael and All Angels Church in Copford (Friday 6th - Sunday 15th September) - an outstanding Normal Church dating back to the 12th century - to St Leonard-at-the-Hythe Church (Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th), which was affected by the 1884 Earthquake, each spot has its own unique history, just waiting to be unearthed.
One of the event's highlights is the Holy Trinity Church (Saturday 7th), located in the heart of the city centre. While the tours are for the church's exterior only, it is definitely worth visiting; after all, Holy Trinity Church is Colchester's only surviving Saxon building, and features a distinctive tower.
Explore the grounds of Colchester's only surviving Saxon building in a guided tour as part of Heritage Open Days.
This is just the beginning; there's so much more to be seen as part of Heritage Open Days, so be sure to visit our page for more information! For the rest of the year, there are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy Colchester's History and Heritage. As Britain's oldest recorded town and first city, history is around every corner.
