Come along to Heritage Open Days on 6-9 September

These two buildings are among a list of properties open to the public for free in St Albans City and District during this annual national heritage event.

There will also be a host of local events, activities, and guided walks taking place during this heritage weekend on 6-9 September. 

All the details can be found in a Heritage Open Days booklet, produced by St Albans City and District Council. It is available from the Tourist and Information Centre in St Albans, libraries around the District and participating venues and on the Council’s visitor website at: http://www.enjoystalbans.com/whats-on/index.html.

The booklet provides details of a number of new attractions and events that are included in Heritage Open Days for the first time. These are:

• Open Days at the 18th century mansion house at Oaklands College, St Albans Campus (Smallford) Hatfield Road on Saturday, 8 September and Sunday, 9 September from 10am to 4pm.

• Talks on the history of the Mayoralty by the Mayor of St Albans City and District, Cllr Eileen Harris. These will take place in the court room of the Old Town Hall, St Albans on Saturday, 8 September at 10.15am and 11.15am.

• An exhibition of maps and other material about old St Albans from the library of the St Albans Architectural and Archaeological Society. This will be on display in the court room of the Old Town Hall on Saturday, 8 September and Sunday, 9 September from 10am to 4pm.

Also new for this year is an opportunity to experience history in the making by visiting local homes where residents are using new initiatives to save energy.

One of the highlights of Heritage Open Days is a tour of the Abbey Gateway, the most complete medieval gateway in England. The gateway only opens once a year for this event and tours will be available every half hour on Sunday, 9 September from 10am to 3.30pm.

Other attractions include St Albans South Signal Box, built in 1892 which will be open on Saturday 8 September and Sunday 9 September from 10am to 4pm. There is also a selection of walks including ‘Roman Theatre Tours’, ‘Crime and Punishment’ and an ‘Evening Bat Walk’, details of which are listed in the Heritage Open Days booklet.

Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism for St Albans City and District Council, said: “Heritage Open Days provide a wonderful opportunity to do something different and learn about local history. You can take advantage of free visits to historical buildings that are usually closed to the public or normally charge an entrance fee. There are also lots of events and activities available to help bring local history to life. Come along and enjoy the wide range of opportunities on offer most of which are only available for one weekend of the year.”

Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism for St Albans City and District Council 

Tel: 07956 220264

Ruth Boyer, 

Communications Officer 

St Albans City and District Council

Tel: 01727 819316 

E-mail: ruth.boyer@stalbans.gov.uk 

www.stalbans.gov.uk

For more information or to download a booklet, please visit the council’s website www.enjoystalbans.com and click on “What’s On”. Booklets are also available from the Tourist and Information Centre in Market Place, St Albans. The TiC can be contacted by telephone on 01727 864511 or by e-mail tic@stalbans.gov.uk

Heritage Open Days celebrate England’s architecture and culture by allowing free access to interesting properties that are not normally open to the public, or would charge an entrance fee. More information about events across the country can be found on the Heritage Open Days website.

Oaklands College