Heritage Open Days 2023
Heritage Open Days, England’s biggest free festival of history and culture, is back from 9 to 18 September 2023. Every year, thousands of volunteers organise events and activities that enable us to see hidden places and enjoy new experiences, free of charge.
Bampton Open Tower
St Michael & All Angels Church, Station Road, Bampton, Devon, EX16 9NA
A chance to find out what happens in Bampton’s bell tower – tour of the tower, demonstrations, displays and a chance to ring a bell yourself.
Sunday 10 September: 14 00 – 17 00
Grantlands in Uffculme
Grantlands, Commercial Road, Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon, EX15 3ED
The Grantlands estate was built in the 1860s, with all the buildings on the main part of the estate being Grade II listed: this is a chance to walk through an unchanged 19th century private estate in the heart of Uffculme village.
Sunday 17 September: 1000-1600
Spiceland Quaker Meeting House
Spicelands, Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon, EX15 3AZ
Visit Spiceland’s historic 200 year old Quaker Meeting House and the burial ground which came into use around 1680. Find out more about the history of Quakers. Visitors are welcome to bring their own refreshments to enjoy in the grounds
Sunday 17 September: 1400-1700
Newton St Cyres Church and Tower
The Parish Church of St Cyres and St Julitta, Church Lane, Newton St Cyres, Exeter, Devon, EX5 5BN
The History Society’s Guided tours of this Grade I Listed church will take you through from the earliest history (12th century) featuring medieval roof bosses, the one-armed clock and, for some, a climb up the 13th century bell tower to the roof!
Wednesday 13 September: Tours: 1000-1200
Saturday 16 September: Tours: 1000-1200
Archeological Finds Day
Hemyock Parish Hall, Hemyock, Devon, EX15 3QW
Drop in to find out about archaeology in the Blackdown Hills and bring along artefacts to be identified by archaeologists
Saturday 16 September: 1400 – 1700
Hemyock Castle
Hemyock Castle, Culmstock Road, Hemyock, Devon, EX15 3RJ
Pre-Booked Self-Guided Tours: See the rare surviving ruins of Hemyock’s moated medieval castle: Remains of gatehouse archway, towers, curtain-walls & moat which surround the older manor house. Interpretation Centre, Cider-Press & Farmyard displays.
Sunday 10 September: 1400-1700. Bookings: 1400, 1430, 1500, 1530, 1600
Hemyocks Early Medieval Iron Industry – Tea and Talk
Hemyock Parish Hall, Hemyock, Devon, EX15 3QW
Dr Chris Smart, University of Exeter, will be sharing the latest research about Hemyock’s early medieval iron industry
Saturday 16 September: 1600
St Mary’s Church
St. Marys Church, Castle Hill, Hemyock, Devon, EX15 3RQ
St Mary’s Church in Hemyock has a record that Thomas de Hydon was Rector from 1268 and in the 1300’s a separate chantry chapel was dedicated to St Katherine by St Peter d’Uvedale and his wife Margaret who owned the adjacent Hemyock Castle.
Sunday 10 September: Church Open 0900-1730. Sunday service: 1100-1230 Display available: 1230-1730.
Bampton – A Story in Poems, Prose and Pictures
Bampton Heritage & Visitor Centre, Station Road, Bampton, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 9NG
An exhibition of artwork, writing and displays created by Bampton residents from photographs and objects from our Collection. Together with videos of the town’s history, we will tell the story of Bampton’s Creativity.
Friday 8 September: 1100-1900
Saturday 9 September: 1100-1600
John Greenway Chapel and Site, Tiverton
John Greenway Chapel, John Greenway Close, Gold Street, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6QF
Visit our John Greenway historic grade II listed chapel and the almshouse site which is tucked away behind. Tea and coffee will be served and visitors can have a look around and hear about the history of the buildings
Friday 15 September: 1000-1400
Knightshayes
Knightshayes Court, Knightshayes, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 7RQ
Whether you’re interested in history, horticulture or exploring, there’s something for you at Knightshayes.
Saturday 9 September: 1000-1700
Old Blundells
Old Blundells, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 4LD
Join us on Saturday September 16th for a series of guided tours of National Trust Old Blundell’s.
Saturday 16 September: 11-3pm
St Peters Church and Tower
St Peters Church, St Peter Street, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6RP
Church & Tower open event on Saturday 16th with tours of the bells, clock, ringing demonstrations and a chance to get splendid views of the town from the roof.
Saturday 16 September: 1000-1600
The Walronds
The Walronds, 6 Fore Street, Cullompton, Devon, EX15 1JL
The house will be open for visitors to absorb the history of this beautiful Grade 1 listed building.
Sunday 9 September: 10:00 – 2:00pm
