Heritage Open Days 2007

Heritage Open Days celebrates England's fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors, ranging from castles to factories, town halls to tithe barns, parish churches to Buddhist temples. It is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life local history and culture. Free of charge and literally on people's doorstep, Heritage Open Days is an event for everyone, whatever their background, age and ability.

In 2007, nationally 1,700 individual organisers registered some 3,526 events for Heritage Open Days and welcomed an estimated 900,000 visitors. Last year the Isle of Wight Council’s Conservation & Design Team, in co-ordination with the Civic Trust and English Heritage, worked in partnership with Island organisations and property owners to organise 22 events across the Island over the four days including free access to Bembridge Windmill, Brading and Newport Roman Villas, Dimbola Lodge, Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Shanklin Historic Gorge and Yarmouth Castle; a ghost and history walk around Freshwater Bay; a wildlife walk in the special nature reserves of Alverstone Marshes; a walk around the village of Brighstone exploring its history and the challenges it faces; and a tour of a recently restored Victorian lake, woods and walled garden.

The event for 2008 is planned to take place from Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th September 2008. Again the Island will offer many exciting opportunities to explore its history, heritage and culture for free!

If you are a property owner and would like to open your doors to visitors, or would like to organise a cultural event as part of Heritage Open Days 2008, please contact Stuart van Cuylenburg, Heritage Open Days Co-ordinator on the Island. Registration packs for the 2008 event will be available from the beginning of March and will be sent out to organisers as soon as they are available.

It is hoped that leaflets listing all Heritage Open Day events on the Island for 2008 will be available by mid July 2008 and will be available from all Island libraries and Tourist Information Centres. You will also be able to get an up to date event listing by checking this website.

For more information visit the national website www.heritageopendays.org

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Heritage Open Days on the Isle of Wight