Heritage Open Days in Mid Devon 2024
Heritage Open Days, England’s biggest free festival of history and culture, is back from 6 to 15 September 2024. Every year, thousands of volunteers organise events and activities that enable us to see hidden places and enjoy new experiences, free of charge.
Mid Devon is awash with rich history, with so much to discover and explore. We have rounded up just a few of our local heritage sites who will be taking part in this year’s festival. Please note: Check booking requirements for each event.
Knightshayes – 7th and 8th September 2024
Visit National Trust Knightshayes for Heritage Open Days on 7 and 8 September. Enjoy free entry to the whole site, and find out about the various connections that are special to this Victorian estate. Discover the histories and journeys of the extensive plant collection in the gardens.
Hemyock Castle – 8th September 2024
See the rare surviving ruins of Hemyock‘s moated medieval castle: Remains of gatehouse archway, towers, curtain-walls and moat that surround the older manor house. Grounds, interpretation centre, cider-press and farmyard displays.
St Mary’s Church, Hemyock – 8th September 2024
St Mary’s Church, Hemyock (image courtesy of Nilfanion via Wikimedia Commons)
Records show that Thomas de Hydon was Rector of St Mary’s Church in Hemyock from 1268. In the 1300s, a separate chantry chapel was dedicated to St Katherine by St Peter d’Uvedale and his wife Margaret who owned the adjacent Hemyock Castle.
Did you know? Ancestors of the Cadbury family come from Hemyock; James Cadbury (born 1664) was Churchwarden of Hemyock. His Great-Great-Grandson is the John Cadbury who founded Cadbury Chocolate in Birmingham.
Newton St Cyres Church & Tower – 11th September 2024 & 14th September 2024
Embark on guided tours of this Grade I Listed church in Newton St Cyres, from the earliest history (12th century) and, for some, a climb up the 80 steps of the Bell Tower to the roof!
Mills of the River Culm Walking Tour – 12th September 2024
Join Bryher Mason to discover the industrial history of the River Culm on a walking tour of the Coldharbour Mill estate. We will also examine how industry has impacted the wider Culm Valley and how its heritage is managed today.
John Greenway Chapel and Almshouses – 12th September 2024
Visit our John Greenway historic grade II listed chapel and the almshouse site which is tucked away behind. Refreshments will be served and visitors can have a look around and hear about the history of the buildings.
National Trust Old Blundell’s – 14th September 2024
Old Blundell’s will be opening up to share the history and heritage of the site. Dating from the early 17th Century, and not normally open to the public, Old Blundell’s is a hidden gem in the centre of Tiverton.
Spiceland Quaker Meeting House – 15th September 2024
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 and Quakers in the 21st Century.
Grantlands, Uffculme – 15th September 2024
Image courtesy of themovemarket.com
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.
Bampton Open Tower – POSTPONED to 20 October 2024
A chance to find out what happens in Bampton’s bell tower. Includes a tour of the tower, demonstrations, displays and a chance to ring a bell yourself. OWING TO MAINTENANCE WORK, THIS EVENT IS NOW POSTPONED UNTIL SUNDAY 20TH OCTOBER.
This is just a small snippet of some of the sites who will be opening their doors but there are so many of these wonderful events happening all over Mid Devon (and further afield) during the festival period. Heritage Open Days are a fantastic chance to explore these cherished locations, some of which typically have an admission fee, but are accessible for free during the festival period!
You can find details of these events and many more on our Visit Mid Devon Events page. You can also visit the Heritage Open Days website to see more events across the country.
