Heritage Open Days in the Cotswolds

2nd September 2016

Many of our Cotswolds towns are putting on free events and activities for the national Heritage Open Days, a celebration of history, architecture and culture. Here’s just a selection:

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Bath

• Take a tour of Bath Record Office, explore the strong rooms and see the earliest document, which dates back to Richard the Lionheart
• Go inside No. 4 The Circus and admire the restored Georgian garden – the first of its kind in Britain
• See historic spa equipment and read original Victorian spa treatment visitor books at St John’s Local History Store
• Visit Cleveland Pools, the oldest open-air swimming pool in the country
• Discover Fairfield House, home of Emperor Haile Selassie and his family from 1936 to 1941.

More information on Bath heritage events

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Cirencester

• Delve into Roman history with a family fun trail and free entry on 11 September at The Corinium Museum
• Explore the historic Quaker Meeting House, one of the oldest meeting houses in the world
• Take a historic guided walk around Cirencester, or a walking tour focusing on the Civil War
• Learn about everyday life in the Cotswolds during World War II at the The Old Memorial Hospital
• Take a tour of the Barrel Store at New Brewery Arts, recently opened as a YHA hostel.

More information on Cirencester Heritage Open Days events

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Tetbury

• Visit the 17^th century Market House, one of the best examples in the Cotswolds of a wool trade market hall, which has an exhibition by the Tetbury History Society
• Learn about the history of Gloucestershire policing at the Tetbury Police Museum, plus see items from the National Collection of handcuffs on display
• Tours of the Tetbury Goods Shed, rebuilt to form a Community Arts Centre.

More on Tetbury Heritage Open Days events

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Tewkesbury

• Take a tour of the recently renovated Old Baptist Chapel and meet a Medieval builder who will be displaying their craft
• Learn about the history of wallpaper and see samples of 18^th century wallpaper discovered in the 17^th century building that now houses Tewkesbury Heritage Centre
• Step back in time at Tewkesbury Town Hall, built in 1788 and largely unchanged, which in the 19^th century was home to a police station, cells and fire station
• Explore Berkeley Arms Medieval Tythe Barn,which was also used as a pub in the 15^th century
• See rare carvings by H.H. Martin at Tewkesbury Methodist Church and pop across the road to see the first Methodist Church in the town, frequented by John Wesley, now an antiques centre.

More on Tewkesbury Heritage Open Days events

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Witney

• Meet the Herings, wealthy 14^th century wool merchants, whose effigies, high up on the wall of St Mary's Church, haven't been seen close up for hundreds of years 
• Take a tour of Cogges Manor Farm and uncover 1,000 years of history with free entry on 10 September
• Learn about Witney’s blanket-making history at the recently reopened Witney Blanket Hall or on a guided Wool Trail walk
• Look up your local ancestors and discover their misdeeds in the Oxfordshire Constabulary Summons Register dated from 1857 onwards at Witney Town Hall
• Discover more about your Great War heirlooms at Witney Museum

More on Witney Heritage Open Days events